Thesis (M. Sc.)--Carleton University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-94). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

This paper explores white American masculinity within the “ginger” phenomenon. To guide this study, I asked: How is racism conceptualized and understood within popular culture, as seen through discussions of whether or not gingerism constitutes racism? How do commenters respond or interact when their understandings of racism or explanations for gingerism are challenged by other commenters? And finally, what does the creation of and prejudice against/making fun of a “hyperwhite” masculine identity at this social/historical moment suggest about the current stability of the dominant white masculine identity? Through discourse analysis of online comments, I explored discussions of race, gender, and gingerism. The analysis covered 6,413 comments on 102 articles. I found that within discussions of race and gingerism, readers made use of varying definitions of race and racism. Different definitions led to conflations of racism, oppression, and bullying. Simplified and individualized definitions of race and racism also led to arguments that supported frameworks of reverse racism and post-racism. So-called discrimination against redheaded men was overall considered to be more serious than for women. These arguments were bound up in questions of the specificity of cultural contexts, and ethnic and national identities, particularly with regard to Irish and Scottish immigrant heritage in the United States and United Kingdom. Future work should continue to untangle ideas of race and physical appearance and ask how whiteness is understood and works within this context.

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Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Plant Production: Agronomy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / M Inst Agrar / unrestricted

Medicinal plants are important and valuable natural resources. South Africa is well-endowed with very diverse flora and fauna that include a considerable number of medicinal plant species. Most medicinal plants have gained popularity for the treatment or prevention of various ailments. Ginger species (Zingiber officinale and Siphonochilus aethiopicus) are essential natural resources, which provide many useful products for use in food as a spice or as medicine. The two species contain beneficial secondary metabolites useful for treating many diseases and numerous digestive imbalances such as indigestion, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhoea and pregnancy-related nausea. However, the role of different agronomic practices such as irrigation, water stress and nutrient management are crucial for enhancing the yield and quality of ginger species. Due to climate change, rainfall is often less while more erratic, putting more pressure on irrigation resources in agriculture to sustain or even increase food production for a growing population. The major plant factors negatively affected by water limitations are plant growth, quality and crop yield. The second most constraining factor in plant growth and quality is the lack of plant nutrients. Macronutrients, such as N, P and K are most important in plants to complete their life cycle and play a significant role in the growth and development of plants. This study investigated the growth, yield and phytochemical profiling of two ginger species under different maximum allowable depletion levels of soil water content and nutrient management. The soil water study was conducted under a rain-shelter at the Experimental Farm on the Hillcrest campus of the University of Pretoria, South Africa. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors (ginger species and water regimes) and three replicates per treatment. The two experimental factors included the two species of ginger (commercial and African ginger) and four water levels (irrigated as soon as 20-25% of available soil water (ASW) was depleted, 40-45% of ASW depleted, 60-65% of ASW depleted and 80-85% of ASW depleted). Growth and development parameters such as height, leaf number and stem number were evaluated and varied between species and irrigation treatments. Irrigation treatment effects on plant growth and development were dependent on plant species. Leaf area index and fractional interception of photosynthetically active radiation (FIpar) values were higher in African ginger than commercial ginger in both seasons. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that both ginger species had more stomatal pores and open stomata under well-watered than stressed conditions. The study demonstrated that fresh and dry yields were higher for commercial ginger, compared to African ginger. The fresh and dry matter yields for severely water stressed plants were higher for commercial ginger than for African ginger. Water use efficiency in terms of fresh commercial ginger yield was highest for the moderately water-stressed treatment. The severely water-stressed irrigation regime (i.e. 80-85 MAD) resulted in higher production of total flavonoid content, phenolic content and increased antioxidant activity in both species. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Plant Production and Soil Science / PhD / Unrestricted

O gengibre é uma das especiarias mais importantes e amplamente utilizadas no mundo. Atualmente, a maior produção desta cultura concentra-se nos estados do sul do Brasil, sendo grande parte destinada para exportação. A geração de renda e a manutenção da variabilidade genética do gengibre são feitas principalmente pela agricultura familiar. Portanto, com o objetivo de continuar incrementando a diversidade genética do gengibre e contribuir com uma adoção rápida de variedades com melhor rendimento, adaptadas às características dos campos dos agricultores, e com resistência à principal doença desta cultura (Fusariose), este trabalho visou selecionar genótipos de gengibre do banco de germoplasma da ESALQ/USP com características relacionadas às prioridades dos agricultores do vale de Caraguatatuba - Ubatuba e que possuam algum nível de resistência a Fusarium oxysporum. Para tal, esta pesquisa foi dividida em duas partes. Primeiramente, desenvolveu-se um processo de melhoramento genético participativo, onde os agricultores ajudaram a identificar as prioridades de seleção de gengibre, procurando características que sejam adequadas às suas necessidades e na identificação da sintomatologia de fusariose mediante escala de notas. Na segunda parte, foi feita uma seleção de genótipos promissores por meio de avaliações em campo e casa de vegetação, através de uma análise de interação genótipo x ambiente. Os resultados mostraram que as prioridades de melhoramento escolhidas pelos agricultores foram resistência a doenças e pragas, altos rendimentos, estabilidade no tempo, variedades que consigam suprir necessidades de venda in natura e industrializado e com capacidade de atender diferentes tipos de mercado. Dentre os genótipos avaliados pelos agricultores, foram selecionados os genótipos G7, G16, G20, G22, G29, G31, G33, G47, G49, G51, G53, G58, G61 e G66 como resistentes e com características agronômicas promissoras. Nas avaliaçãoes de campo e casa de vegetação observou-se que dos 49 genótipos analisados, G47 apresentou o maior nível de resistência, enquanto que G11, G23, G30, G43 e G64, foram identificados como genótipos resistentes. Desses genótipos selecionados como resistentes apenas os genótipos G23 e G64 foram promissores, apresentando estabilidade na resistência, produção, formação de perfilhos, e caracteres qualitativos de interesse agronômico. Entre os genótipos selecionados mediante melhoramento clássico e os selecionados com melhoramento participativo houve apenas uma coincidência na seleção (G47) referente à sintomatologia, mas ao ser testado para estabilidade referente à doença, este genótipo apresentou alta inestabilidade no tempo, não se mostrando adequado para recomendação como variedade resistente. Dessa forma, novos estudos deverão ser desenvolvidos visando testar estes genótipos em outros ambientes. / Ginger is the most important and widely used spice in the world. Currently, the greater production of this crop is focused in the southern states of Brazil, where most of the production is destined for export. The generation of income and the maintenance of genetic variability of ginger are provided mainly by family farming. Therefore, with the objective to continue increasing genetic diversity of ginger and contribute with a rapid adoption of varieties with better yield, adapted to farmers\' fields characteristics, and resistance to the main disease of this crop (fusariosis), this work aimed at selecting ginger genotypes from the germplasm bank of ESALQ/USP with characteristics related to the priorities of the farmers from Caraguatatuba-Ubatuba Valley, presenting some level of resistance to Fusarium oxysporum. Therefore, this research was divided in two parts. First, a participatory breeding process was developed, where farmers helped to identify the priorities of selection in ginger, searching for features that are appropriate to their needs and to identify the symptoms of Fusarium by grading scale. In the second part, a selection was made of promising genotypes through evaluations in the field and in a greenhouse, through an analysis of genotype x environment interaction. Results showed that the farmers’ breeding priorities were resistance to diseases and pests, high income, stability in time, varieties that are able to meet sales requirements both in natura and industrialized, including ability to supply different market types. Among the genotypes evaluated by the farmers, the genotypes G7, G16, G20, G22, G29, G31, G33, G47, G49, G51, G53, G58, G61 and G66 were selected as being resistant and with promising agronomic characteristics. In the field and greenhouse evaluations, it was observed that from the 49 genotypes analyzed, genotype G47 showed the highest level of resistance, while G11, G23, G30, G43 and G64, and were identified as resistant genotypes. From these genotypes selected as resistant only G23 and G64 were promising, showing stability in resistance, production, tillers production, and qualitative traits of agronomic interest. Among the genotypes selected by classical breeding and those selected through participatory breeding, there was only one coincidence in the selection (G47) related to symptoms, but when tested for disease stability, it presented high instability in time, not being suitable for recommendation as a resistant variety. Thus, further studies should be developed aiming to test these genotypes in other environments.

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / The exact responses to the concentration of compost tea extract and methods of irrigation application were not previously measured on Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Siphonochilus aethiopicus. Commercial exploitation, habitat loss and degradation, overharvesting, and enhancement of their medicinal properties, have led to this investigation and the need to replenish both these valuable plant species. This is crucial for plant survival, especially in the wild and for use of the traditional medicinal plants. Hypoxis hemerocallidea and Siphonochilus aethiopicus, known as star flower and wild ginger respectively continue to decline, due to overharvesting from their natural habitat. Both these species have tremendous traditional medicinal value among localized African people. To enhance their commercial cultivation, compost tea extracts, in the following ratios (no catalyst added (control1); T 1000:1, T750:1, T500:1, and T250:1L) were applied in equal dosages to determine an optimal compost tea extract ratio. The experiment was conducted in a temperature controlled greenhouse. Mushroom compost (500 g, per brew) was used for all extracts. Brewing was done with no catalyst added (Control 1), and 24 hours later another brew was done with catalyst added, weekly for 20 weeks. The Control treatment received water only. Both species were slow growing and comparatively, the Hypoxis plants responded faster than the Siphonochilus plants. In this investigation, plant growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, leaf width, leaf length and leaf colour, were measured and evaluated. Despite the plants positive response to the mushroom compost tea extracts, across all the above plant growth parameters, no significant differences were noted between the treatments during the twenty-week application period. Leaf chlorophyll content peaked in week 11 of the hypoxis plants and was the highest in week 14 of the Siphonochilus plants with no significant interaction between weeks vs. treatment over the twenty-week experiment. The chlorophyll readings indicate that both species increased their chlorophyll production over time. Although the total wet leaf length, root length, corm diameter, leaf weight, corm weight and root weight of Hypoxis were non-significant between treatments, T500:1 total wet weight was significantly higher when compared to the rest of the treatments. The total dry weight analysis of hypoxis was non-significant. Control Calcium level was significantly lower between the control and the treatments of the Hypoxis total dry leaf nutrient analysis. The Hypoxis dried roots nutrient analysis was non-significant across treatments.

Herbal medicines are widely used in our community. A survey of Australian consumers indicated that 60% had used complementary and/or alternative medicines in the past year with the majority not informing their doctor that they were using herbal medicines. Little is known about the potentially serious consequences of interactions between herbal and conventional medicines. Warfarin has an important role in treating people with heart disease, yet it has a narrow therapeutic range, is highly bound to plasma proteins, and is metabolised by cytochrome P450. This creates the potential for life-threatening interactions with other drugs and foods leading to excessive bleeding. Hence, warfarin is one of the most frequently investigated drugs for interaction studies. Early clinical reports suggest that there exists the potential for an interaction between warfarin and four herbal medicines: St John�s wort, ginseng, ginkgo and ginger. However, these herb-drug combinations have never been conclusively studied. The two clinical studies conducted as part of this research had an identical study design. Twenty-four healthy male subjects were recruited into the two separate studies. This was an open label, three-way crossover randomised study in twelve healthy male subjects, who received a single 25 mg dose of warfarin alone or after 14 days pre-treatment with St John�s wort, or 7 days pre-treatment with ginseng. Dosing with St John�s wort or ginseng was continued for 7 days after administration of the warfarin dose in study I or who received a single 25 mg dose of warfarin alone or after 7 days pre-treatment with recommended doses of ginkgo or ginger from single ingredient products of known quality. Dosing with ginkgo or ginger was continued for 7 days after administration of the warfarin dose in study II. Platelet aggregation, international normalised ratio (INR) of prothrombin time, warfarin enantiomer protein binding, warfarin enantiomer concentrations in plasma and S-7-hydroxywarfarin concentration in urine were measured in both studies. Statistical comparisons were made using ANOVA and 95% confidence interval (CI) for mean value and 90% CI for geometric mean ratio value are reported. n study I, the mean (95% CI) apparent clearance of S-warfarin after warfarin alone or with St John�s wort or ginseng were, respectively, 198 (174 � 223) ml/h, 269 (241 � 297) ml/h and 220 (201 � 238) ml/h. The respective apparent clearances of R-warfarin were 110 (94 � 126) ml/h, 142 (123 � 161) ml/h and 119 (106 � 131) ml/h. The mean ratio of apparent clearance for S-warfarin was 1.29 (1.16-1.46) and for R-warfarin was 1.23 (1.11-1.37) when St John�s wort was co-administered. The mean ratio of AUC0-168 of INR was 0.79 (0.70 - 0.95) when St John�s wort was co-administered. The urinary excretion ratio of S-7-hydroxywarfarin after administration of warfarin alone was 0.04 (0.03 � 0.06) mg/h and there was no significant difference following treatment with either St John�s wort 0.03 (0.02 � 0.04) mg/h or ginseng 0.03 (0.02 � 0.04) mg/h. The ratio of geometric means for S-7-hydroxywarfarin UER was 0.82 (0.61-1.12) for St John�s wort, and 0.68 (0.50-0.91) for ginseng. St John�s wort and ginseng did not affect the apparent volumes of distribution or protein binding of warfarin enantiomers. In study II, the mean (95% CI) apparent clearance of S-warfarin after warfarin alone, with ginkgo or ginger were 189 (167 � 210) ml/h, 200 (173 � 227) ml/h and 201 (171 � 231) ml/h, respectively. The respective apparent clearances of R-warfarin were 127 (106 � 149) ml/h, 126 (111 � 141) ml/h and 131 (106 � 156) ml/h. The mean ratio of apparent clearance for S-warfarin was 1.05 (0.98 -1.12) and for R-warfarin was 1.00 (0.93 -1.08) when co-administered with ginkgo. The mean ratio of AUC0-168 of INR was 0.93 (0.81 -1.05) when co-administered with ginkgo. The mean ratio of apparent clearance for S-warfarin was 1.05 (0.97 -1.13) and for R-warfarin was 1.02 (0.95 -1.10) when co-administered with ginger. The mean ratio of AUC0-168 of INR was 1.01 (0.93 -1.15) when co-administered with ginger. The urinary excretion ratio (UER) of S-7-hydroxywarfarin after administration of warfarin alone was 0.04 (0.03 � 0.05) mg/h and there was no significant difference following treatment with either ginkgo 0.04 (0.03 � 0.04) mg/h or ginger 0.03 (0.02 � 0.04) mg/h. The ratio of geometric means for S-7-hydroxywarfarin UER was 1.07 (0.69-1.67) for ginkgo, and 1.00 (0.64-1.56) for ginger. Ginkgo and ginger did not affect the apparent volumes of distribution or protein binding of either S-warfarin or R-warfarin. In conclusion, St John�s wort significantly induced the apparent clearance of both S-warfarin and R-warfarin, which in turn resulted in a significant reduction in the pharmacological effect of rac-warfarin. Ginseng, ginkgo and ginger at recommended doses affect neither clotting status, nor the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of either S-warfarin or R-warfarin in healthy subjects.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) produce important pharmacologically active metabolites at high levels, which include terpenoids and polyketides such as curcumin and gingerols. This dissertation describes the terpenoids produced by ginger and turmeric, candidate ESTs for terpene synthases, and the cloning and expression of several terpene synthases. A comparison of metabolite profiles, microarray results and EST data enable us to predict which terpene synthases are related with the production of specific terpenoids. Analysis of EST data further suggests several genes important for the growth and development of rhizomes. Ginger and turmeric accumulate important pharmacologically active metabolites at high levels in their rhizomes. Comparisons of ginger and turmeric EST data to publicly available sorghum rhizome ESTs revealed a total of 777 contigs common to ginger, turmeric and sorghum rhizomes but absent from other tissues. The list of rhizome-specific contigs was enriched for genes associated with regulation of tissue growth, development, and regulation of transcription. The analysis suggests ethylene response factors, AUX/IAA proteins, and rhizome-enriched MADS box transcription factors may play important roles in defining rhizome growth and development. From ginger and turmeric, 25 mono- and 16 sesquiterpene synthase sequences were cloned and the function of 13 mono- and 11 sesquiterpene synthases were revealed. There are many paralogs in the ginger and turmeric terpene synthase family, some of which have the same or similar function. However some paralogs have diverse functions and this suggests the evolution of terpene synthases in ginger and turmeric. Importantly, α-zingiberene/β-sesquiphellandrene synthase was identified, which makes the substrates for α-turmerone and β-turmerone production in turmeric. Also P450 candidates for α- zingiberene/β-sesquiphellandrene oxidase are proposed. Research involving analysis of metabolite profiles requires the manipulation of a large datasets, such as those produced by GC/MS. We developed an approach to identify compounds that involves deconvolution of peaks obtained using SICs as well as common peak selections between samples even though the peaks may be very small and represent unknown compounds. The limitation of this approach occurs when there are huge peaks in the samples, which distort the SIC of small embedded peaks and sometimes their own SICs.