Birds are a major pest in vineyards both in New Zealand and overseas. There is a need for new behavioural research on birds' foraging habits and feeding preferences in vineyards, as much of the literature to date is anecdotal. Research on cues to birds' feeding will provide a basis on which new deterrent and control strategies can be devised. Spatial-and temporal bird damage in a small vineyard block was mapped to find if damage was correlated with grape maturity and environmental factors. Vineyard and field observations of bird behaviour using video technology combined with preference experiments aimed to establish the relative roles of grape sugar concentration and colour in avian selection. Proximity of vineyards to bird roosts affects damage levels, regardless of differing maturity between locations. The rate of damage tends to increase exponentially once grape maturity has passed a threshold of 13 °Brix. Bunches positioned closest to the ground receive more damage if blackbirds or song thrushes are the predominant pests. Both sugar concentration and grape colour were found to affect birds' feeding preference, but the importance of the two factors varied between years. Black and green grape varieties were differentially preferred by blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) while silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) appeared to have no strong colour preference. It was apparent that there were other, not assessed, grape factors that also affect selection. In small unprotected vineyards that are adjacent to bird roosts the entire grape crop can be taken by bird pests. Besides removing the roosts, which can be beneficial shelterbelts in regions exposed to high winds, growers currently may have no alternative other than to use exclusion netting to keep crops intact. The differential preferences between bird species for variety characteristics suggest that any new deterrents and other strategies to deflect birds from grape crops may need to be species-specific.

La Valle d'Aosta, pur non avendo grandi superfici destinate alla viticoltura, è caratterizzata dalla presenza di un ricco patrimonio ampelografico di cui fanno parte dodici varietà autoctone a bacca rossa: Bonda, Cornalin, Crovassa, Fumin, Mayolet, Ner d'Ala, Petit rouge, Premetta, Roussin, Roussin de Morgex, Vien de Nus e Vuillermin. Malgrado i numerosi vitigni menzionati, nella produzione dei vini a D.O.C troviamo in prevalenza il Petit rouge e poche altre varietà che, nell'insieme, rappresentano circa il 34% della produzione totale. Al fine di implementare la presenza di prodotti tipici che esprimano i caratteri distintivi della zona di provenienza sono state approfondite le conoscenze dei vitigni autoctoni per evidenziarne le attitudini e le potenzialità per la produzione di vini rossi di qualità. Allo stesso scopo sono stati valutati gli effetti dell'applicazione di alcune tecniche di vinificazione alternative sull'espressione dei caratteri qualitativi del Petit rouge, le cui uve sono da tempo vinificate in purezza o in assemblaggi nella produzione di vini a D.O.C. / Aosta Valley has a little viticulture surface and it is characterised by a rich ampelographic collection including the following twelve red grape autochthonous varieties: Bonda, Cornalin, Crovassa, Fumin, Mayolet, Ner d'Ala, Petit rouge, Premetta, Roussin, Roussin de Morgex, Vien de Nus e Vuillermin. Only the 34% of the D.O.C. wine production is represented by some of the above mentioned cultivars, in particular the Petit Rouge, despite of the huge number of cultivars. The Petit rouge is used in purity or in miscellaneous in the D.O.C. wine production. In order to implement the presence of typical products, this study was carried out to evaluate the aptitude of Aosta Valley ancient grapes to produce quality red wines. Moreover to improve quality of the most diffused Aosta Valley red wine the effects of some alternative winemaking were evaluated on the Petit rouge characters.

Wine grape pomace (WGP), the byproduct from winemaking, is a good source of polyphenols and dietary fibers, and may be utilized as antioxidant dietary fibers (ADF) for food applications. The objectives of this thesis research were to first determine the phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in red WGP under different drying processes for long-term storage, and to further evaluate the feasibility of using WGP as a functional food ingredient in yogurt and salad dressing for enhancing the nutritional value and improving storability of the products. Two types of WGP samples, pomace containing seeds and skins (P) and pomace with skins only (S) from Pinot Noir (PN) and Merlot (M) were studied. Samples were subjected to four different drying conditions: 40 °C conventional and vacuum oven, 25 °C ambient air and freeze dry. Total phenolic content (TPC, by Folin-Ciocalteu assay), anthocyanins (ACY, by pH differential method) and flavanols content (TFC, by vanillin assay) of the samples along with their antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenge method, RSA) and antibacterial activity (minimum inhibition concentration, MIC) were determined during 16 weeks of storage under vacuum condition at 15±2 °C. Meanwhile, dietary fiber profile was evaluated by using gravimetric-enzyme method. Results showed that dietary fiber contents of PN-P, PN-S, M-P and M-S were 57-63% d.m. with the majority of insoluble fraction. Freeze dried WGP retained the highest bioactive compounds with TPC 21.19-67.74 mg GAE/g d.m., ACY of 0.35-0.76 mg Mal-3-glu/g d.m., TFC of 30.16-106.61 mg CE/g d.m. and RSA of 22.01-37.46 mg AAE/g d.m., followed with ambient air dried samples. Overall, TPC, TFC and RSA were higher in PN than in M, and higher in pomace than in skins, while reverse results were observed in ACY. All samples lost significant amount of bioactive compounds during storage, in which ambient air and freeze dried samples had TPC reduction of 32-56% and 35-58%, respectively at the end of 16 weeks of storage. RSA in PN-P and M-P remained more than 50 mg TE/g d.m., meaning WGP still met the criteria of ADF definition after 16 weeks of storage. WGP extracts showed higher antibacterial efficiency against L. innocua than that of E. coli with MIC of 2, 7, 3 and 8% against L. innocua, and 3, 6, 4 and 9% against E. coli for PN-P, PN-S, M-P and M-S samples, respectively. This study demonstrated that Pinot Noir and Merlot pomace are good sources of ADF even after 16 weeks of storage at 15 °C and vacuum condition. Due to the highest antioxidant activity (RSA 37.46 mg AAE/g) and dietary fiber content (61%), PN-P was selected as ADF to be fortified in yogurt and salad dressing. Three types of WGP: whole powder (WP), liquid extract (LE) and freeze dried extract (FDE) with different concentrations were incorporated into yogurt (Y), Italian (I) and Thousand Island (T) salad dressings. TPC, RSA and dietary fiber content, major quality attributes including pH and peroxide value (PV) during the shelf life and consumer acceptance of fortified products were evaluated. The highest ADF were obtained in 3% WP-Y, 1% WP-I and 2% WP-T samples with the dietary fiber contents of 1.98%, 2.12% and 1.83% and RSA of 935.78, 585.60 and 706.67 mg AAE/kg, respectively. WP fortified products had more dietary fiber content than that of LE and FDE fortified ones because of the insoluble fractions. The pH dropped from 4.52 to 4.32 for 3% WP-Y during three weeks of storage at 4 °C, but remained stable in WGP-I and WGP-T samples after four weeks of storage at 4 °C. Adding WGP resulted in 35-65% reduction of PV in all samples compared to the control. In WGP-Y, the viscosity increased, but syneresis and lactic acid percentage were stable during storage. The 1%WP-Y, 0.5%WP-I and 1%WP-T samples were mostly liked by consumers. Study demonstrated that WGP can be used as a functional food ingredient for enhancing nutraceutical content and extending shelf-life of the food products. This study provided important information about the economically feasible drying methods for retaining the bioactive compounds in WGP during processing and storage and also suggested that WGP can be utilized as antioxidant dietary fiber to be fortified in consumer products to promote nutritional benefit and extend product shelf-life. / Graduation date: 2013

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The first aim of this study was to reliably and rapidly detect Grapevine rupestris stem pittingassociated virus (GRSPaV) in grapevine. This was achieved by screening 94 grapevines using crude plant extracts in both quantitative and conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The second aim was to establish a technique capable of differentiating GRSPaV sequence variants. The application of this technique is for the largescale screening of diseased vines to associate sequence variants of GRSPaV with disease symptoms. Nested quantitative polymerase chain reaction and high resolution melting assays (qPCR-HRM) were developed for three regions of the GRSPaV genome (coat protein, RNAdependant RNA-polymerase and triple gene block movement protein). The qPCR-HRM technique using the high saturation dye, EvaGreen™, and the Rotor-Gene™ 6000 analyzer was validated with a panel of sixteen sequence-characterized viral isolates. Diluted RT-PCR products and cloned cDNA gave the most consistent amplification plots and dissociation profiles. RT-PCR products generated from total RNA extracts were used as template for qPCR-HRM assays and for direct sequencing of sixteen samples in the three aforementioned regions. The average amplification efficiency for qPCR was 1.52±0.04. Auto-calling of userdefine genotypes was performed at a confidence interval of 70%. Phylogenetic analysis of the three regions of the GRSPaV genome was performed with published GenBank sequences to confirm the HRM data. The dominant sequence variants found in the South African sample set radiated with Group II, reference full-length variant GRSPaV-SG1. GRSPaV-infected samples can in future be subjected to qPCR-HRM assays developed during this study. This can be performed to establish similarity to known genotypes and therefore phylogenetic groups. Mixed infection of sequence variants and quasi-species were a common occurrence. The assay will be useful in establishing correlation of specific genotypes to different phenotypical expression of viral disease. This could provide insight into the etiology of diseases associated with GRSPaV. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die eerste doel van hierdie studie was om die virus wat met Rupestris-stamverpitting (Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus of “GRSPaV”) in wingerd verbind is, vinnig en betroubaar op te spoor. Dit is bereik deur 94 wingerdstokke vir die teenwoordigheid van die virus te toets met beide kwantitatiewe en konvensionele trutranskripsie polimerase kettingreaksies (RT - PCR) vanaf ongesuiwerde plant-ekstraksies. Die tweede doel was die daarstelling van ’n tegniek om onderskeid te tref tussen variante van GRSPaV met verskillende nukleotiedvolgordes. Hierdie tegniek kan op groot skaal gebruik word om ge-affekteerde wingerdstokke te toets om sodoende siektesimptome met spesifieke variante van GRSPaV te verbind. Ge-neste kwantitatiewe polimerase-kettingreaksies (qPCR) en hoë-resolusie smelt-analises (HRM) is ontwikkel vir drie streke van die GRSPaV-genoom (mantelproteïen, RNS-afhanklike RNS-polimerase en trippelgeenblok bewegingsproteïen). Die tegniek van qPCR-HRM met die hoë-versadingingskleurstof EvaGreen™ en die Rotor- Gene™ 6000 ontleder se geldigheid is bevestig deur vergelyking met ’n paneel van sestien virus-isolate waarvan die volgorde reeds bepaal is. Verdunde RT-PCR-produkte en gekloneerde DNS het die mees konsekwente amplifikasie-uitstipping en dissosiasieprofiele opgelewer. RT-PCR-produkte wat vanuit totale RNS-ekstrakte verkry is, is as templaat vir qPCR-HRM-analises gebruik. Dieselfde produkte is ook gebruik, om die volgorde van sestien monsters in drie streke direk te bepaal. Die gemiddelde amplifikasiedoeltreffendheid van die qPCR was 1.52±0.04. Gebruiker-gedefinieerde genotipes is deur middel van outooproeping teen ’n vertroue-interval van 70% uitgevoer. Filogenetiese analises vir drie streke van die GRSPaV-genoom is uitgevoer met gepubliseerde GenBank-volgordes om die HRMdata te bevestig. Die dominante volgorde-variante in die stel Suid-Afrikaanse monsters het ooreengestem met Groep II, vollengte-verwysingsvariant GRSPaV-SG1. Monsters wat met GRSPaV besmet is kan in die toekoms onderwerp word aan die qPCR-HRM-analises wat in hierdie studie ontwikkel is. Dit kan uitgevoer word om ooreenkomste met bekende genotipes te bepaal, en dus ook met filogenetiese groepe. Die besmetting van plante met meer as een volgorde-variant het algemeen voorgekom. Die kwasi-spesies populasie-struktuur van die virus het ook gedurig na vore gekom. Die toets sal nuttig wees in die bepaling van korrelasies tussen spesifieke genotipes en verskillende fenotipiese voorkomste van virussiektes. Dit kan insig verleen in die etiologie van siektes wat met GRSPaV verbind word.

This thesis explores the relationship between differing interpretation of the California Dream and the narrative strategies through while [sic] they are expressed in three California labor novels during three different decades of California literature.

Actualmente la cadena logística de las exportaciones de uvas frescas es una de las más complejas en las exportaciones de productos perecibles debido a las distintas etapas por las que transcurre este producto. Según PROVID (2020) en la campaña de exportación 2019-2020, Perú exportó 55 variedades de uva fresca al mundo, siendo los principales importadores Estados Unidos y China. Debido a la complejidad de la cadena logística de estos productos, existen mayores riesgos operacionales para las empresas exportadoras peruanas. Se consideran riesgos operacionales a que aquellos provocados por fallas humanas o en los procesos que suceden en el día a día en las empresas. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de la presente tesis es encontrar la relación entre los riesgos operacionales y la cadena logística de las exportaciones de uva fresca hacia Estados Unidos durante el periodo 2016 a 2020. Se considerarán las siguientes dimensiones como parte de la variable independiente Riesgos Operacionales: (i) Riesgos de Aprovisionamiento, (ii) Riesgos Tecnológicos, (iii) Riesgos de Producción y (iv) Riesgos Organizacionales. La investigación se desarrolló bajo un enfoque mixto de diseño correlacional. Para el análisis cuantitativo se realizó 49 encuestas a ejecutivos de diversas agroexportadoras que conforman nuestra muestra de estudio. Asimismo, para el análisis cualitativo se realizó 12 entrevistas a expertos de empresas agroexportadoras, instituciones gubernamentales como PROMPERU y asociaciones como ADEX y AGAP. Finalmente se llegó a la conclusión que las dimensiones de la variable riesgos operacionales están relacionadas con la cadena logística de las exportaciones de uva fresca del Perú hacia Estados Unidos. / Currently, the logistics chain for fresh grape exports is one of the most complex in the export of perishable products due to the different stages through which this product passes. According to PROVID (2020) in the 2019-2020 exporting season, Peru exported 55 varieties of fresh grapes to the world, the main importers being the United States and China. Due to the complexity of the logistics chain for these products, there are greater operational risks for Peruvian exporting companies. Operational risks are considered to be those caused by human failures or in the processes that occur on a daily basis in companies. Therefore, the objective of this thesis is to find the relationship between operational risks and the logistics chain of fresh grape exports to the United States during the period 2016 to 2020. The following dimensions will be considered as part of the independent variable Operational Risks: (i) Procurement Risks, (ii) Technological Risks, (iii) Production Risks and (iv) Organizational Risks. The research was developed under a mixed method with a correlational design. For the quantitative analysis, 39 surveys were carried out with executives from various agro-exporters that make up our study sample. Likewise, for the qualitative analysis, 12 interviews were conducted with experts from agro-exporting companies, governmental institutions such as PROMPERU and associations such as ADEX and AGAP. Finally, it was concluded that the dimensions of the Operational Risks variable are related to the logistics chain of fresh grape exports from Peru to the United States. / Tesis

The paper explores the human-environment relationship in Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. It argues that every impact on humans by the environment or by human-made objects is initially triggered by human actions. The paper questions humans' and objects' agency. Furthermore, the essay argues that the environment either helps or impedes the novel's characters, which according to the book, can be solved by collaboration.

En los últimos años, se ha evidenciado la aplicación de una serie de medidas comerciales por parte de Ecuador, que han restringido y perjudicado la importación de uvas peruanas a su territorio, llegando incluso a prohibirlas desde el 2016. A partir de una metodología mixta, y el desarrollo de un modelo de gravitación comercial, la presente investigación profundiza la influencia que ha tenido la aplicación de las salvaguardias por balanza de pagos del 2009 y el 2015, la salvaguardia cambiaria de enero del 2015, y las medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias del 2016 impuestas por Ecuador en las exportaciones de uva fresca peruana. Por un lado, en relación con las salvaguardias, se encontró que, a pesar de mantener una figura restrictiva, los parámetros de las cuotas y sobretasas propuestas por Ecuador no limitaron el crecimiento de la exportación de uva; sin embargo, produjeron un aumento del contrabando, junto a un impacto negativo para su mercado interno. Por otro lado, respecto a las medidas MSF, se encontró que estas repercutieron de manera negativa en las exportaciones de uva fresca peruana, manteniéndose bloqueado el mercado hasta el día de hoy. La aplicación de medidas injustificadas, la falta de cooperación y mala coordinación entre SENASA y AGROCALIDAD, y la falta de transparencia y armonización de la normativa MSF entre los países andinos, han influido negativamente en la búsqueda de una solución. Frente a ello, salta a la luz las posibles falencias de la Comunidad Andina para asistir a sus países miembro como órgano integrador y promotor del comercio, y servir como primera instancia para la solución de diferencias en comparación a otros foros como la OMC. / In recent years, the application of a series of trade measures by Ecuador has been evidenced, which have restricted and harmed the import of Peruvian grapes into its country, even going as far as banning them since 2016. Based on a mixed methodology, and the development of a commercial gravitation model, this research deepens into the influence that the application of the balance of payments safeguards of 2009 and 2015, the exchange safeguard of January 2015, and the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures of 2016 imposed by Ecuador have had on the exports of fresh Peruvian grapes. On the one hand, in relation to safeguards, it was found that, despite maintaining a restrictive figure, the parameters of quotas and surcharges proposed by Ecuador did not limit the growth of grape exports; however, they produced an increase in smuggling, along with a negative impact on its domestic market. On the other hand, regarding the SPS measures, it was found that these had a negative impact on the exports of fresh Peruvian grapes, keeping the market blocked until today. The application of unjustified measures, the lack of cooperation and poor coordination between SENASA and AGROCALIDAD, and the lack of transparency and harmonization of SPS regulations among the Andean countries, have negatively influenced the search for a solution. Thus, the possible shortcomings of the Andean Community come to light in assisting its member countries as an integrating and promoting trade body, and serving as the first instance for dispute settlement compared to other forums such as the WTO. / Tesis

The objective of this thesis is to explore how American authors represented poverty across different states during the Depression Era. I have chosen to review social reform author John Steinbeck, and proletariat authors, Michael Gold, Meridel Le Sueur, and William Attaway. Before addressing the issues presented in the data collection tools (novels): The Grapes of Wrath, Jews Without Money, The Girl, and Blood on the Forge, I reviewed the fundamentals of the events leading up to the crash of the stock market, which spiraled the United States and the world at large in the greatest Depression ever known. In this thesis, I have also outlined a summary of the novels for the benefit of readers who may not have had the opportunity to read them. I have applied a Marxist literary critical analysis to the preceding novels highlighting three overarching concepts of the theory: economic power, materialism versus spirituality, and class conflict. Evolving from these concepts are the key tenets of Marxism: base, superstructure, hegemony, commodification, class conflict, and false consciousness. In the literary critical analysis, I applied these key tenets to the plot of each novel in order to underscore the ideologies of Marxist theorists with regards to the existence of class divisions and how this division creates class conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariats.

Total soluble solids (TSS) is a reliable indicator of melon eating quality, with a minimum standard of 10% recommended. The state of Australian melon production with respect to this quality criterion was considered within seasons, between growing districts and over seasons. It was concluded that improvement in agronomic practice and varietal selection is required to produce sweeter melons. The scientific literature addressing melon physiology and agronomy was summarised, as a background to the work that is required to improve melon production practices in Australia. The effect of source sink manipulation was assessed for commercially grown and glasshouse grown melon plants. The timing of fruit thinning, pollination scheduling, the application of a growth inhibitor and source biomass removal were assessed in relation to fruit growth and sugar accumulation. Results are interpreted against a model in which fruit rapidly increase in weight until about two weeks before harvest, with sugar accumulation continuing as fruit growth ceases. Thus treatment response is very dependant on timing of application. For example, fruit thinning at 25 days before harvest resulted in further fruit set and increased fruit weight but did not impact on fruit TSS (at 9.8%, control 9.3%), while thinning at 5 days before harvest resulted in a significant (Pless than 0.05) increase in fruit TSS (to 10.8%, control 9.3%) and no increase in fruit weight or number. A cost/ benefit analysis is presented, allowing an estimation of the increase in sale price required to sustain the implementation of fruit thinning. The effect of irrigation scheduling was also considered with respect to increasing melon yield and quality. To date, recommended practice has been to cause an irrigation deficit close to fruit harvest, with the intent of 'drying out' or 'stressing' the plant, to 'bring on' maturity and increase sugar accumulation. Irrigation trials showed that keeping plants stress-free close to harvest and during harvest, facilitated the production of sweeter fruit. The maintenance of a TSS grade standard using either batch based (destructive) sampling or (non-invasive) grading of individual fruit is discussed. On-line grading of individual fruit is possible using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), but the applicability of the technique to melons has received little published attention. Tissue sampling strategy was optimised, in relation to the optical geometry used (in commercial operation in Australia), both in terms of the diameter and depth of sampled tissue. NIR calibration model performance was superior when based on the TSS of outer, rather than inner mesocarp tissue. However the linear relationship between outer and middle tissue TSS was strong (r2 = 0.8) in immature fruit, though less related in maturing fruit (r2 = 0.5). The effect of fruit storage (maturation/senescence) on calibration model performance was assessed. There was a negligible effect of fruit cold storage on calibration performance. Currently, the agronomist lacks a cost-effective tool to rapidly assess fruit TSS in the field. Design parameters for such a tool were established, and several optical front ends compared for rapid, though invasive, analysis. Further, for visualisation of the spatial distribution of tissue TSS within a melon fruit, a two-dimensional, or hyper-spectral NIR imaging system based on a low cost 8-bit charge coupled device (CCD) camera and filter arrangement, was designed and characterised.