Publication Type: Abstract
Abstract: In North America, Castanea L. (Fagaceae) consists of three morphologically variable species: C. dentata, C. pumila and C. ozarkensis. In the southeastern United States, botanists have traditionally recognized a naturally occurring C. pumila x C. dentata hybrid (C. neglecta Dode); however, it is possible that these putative hybrids could be a disjunct population of C. ozarkensis or North American-Eurasian Castanea hybrids introduced during a breeding program in the mid 1900’s. We are using sequences from intergenic spacer regions of chloroplast DNA to test a morphologically confounding population in northwestern Georgia and to compare these data to a population in western North Carolina where morphologically distinct C. pumila and C. dentata occur in sympatry. Preliminary results indicate that chestnut and chinquapin chlorohaplotypes are not confined to species. Future work will include the addition of sequences from other Castanea populations across the southeast and the exploration of other regions of the chloroplast.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Starting in 1989, countries in sub-Saharan Africa began to experiment to differing extents with political liberalization. More than a decade later, multiparty elections have increasingly become a norm on the continent, but there are concerns that these elections have done little to deepen government accountability, improve respect for human rights, or expand the choice available to citizens. In a large number of ostensibly “democratic” African countries, opposition parties continue to be constrained by large-scale election fraud, violence and intimidation, and formal and informal obstacles to party organization and campaigning. But this general trend toward “hybrid regimes” in the region obscures important variation across countries in the form and the strength of societal mobilization against the state. This variation has little to do with the actions of the state or the degree of political opening. Instead, I argue that opposition parties derive their strength from their own organizational efficacy and ability to mobilize mass constituencies. Opposition parties may inherit structures or resources from a pre-democratic past – or these structures may be built during the transition period, sometimes using strategies that are anti-democratic or even violent. Variations in opposition organization, strategies and success may shed light on how hybrid regimes differ from one another, from their authoritarian predecessors, and from more democratic regimes. More importantly, a strong opposition may be the most effective means of creating checks and accountability in hybrid regimes and, therefore, the most important prerequisite for democratic deepening.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Through our analysis of the news reports of Qu Mei-fong Scandal by two influential newspapers, China Times (CT) and United Daily News (UDN), in Taiwan, we found a hybridized patriarchal hegemony embedded in their reports, with characteristic intermingling of Confucian and capitalist patriarchal discourses. By concentrating on the stories of female characters through the negative representation of them, and by mildly handling the stories of male characters by ignoring their harmful actions in the scandal, the two newspapers held a patriarchal position in reporting the scandal. Furthermore, by emphasizing the main female character, Qu, as a home-breaker, as well as by commodifying her as their product and subjecting her to the rule of profit-making through their discourses, the newspapers sustained Confucian concubine culture and disseminated capitalist patriarchal messages.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Amusement park survival is not singularly dependent on tourist attendance. As exemplified by Walt Disney Company theme parks, there is obvious attention to merchandise, particularly items that will advertise the company and the theme park. This study examines the risk of product cannibalism tied to retooling ride attractions at the U.S. Disney theme parks – when new product lines are introduced, distracting from already popular items – and the risk of consumer fatigue from too many product choices. A field study was conducted at the Disneyland Resort in California and secondary data analysis was conducted using DVD archive footage of the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Additionally Walt Disney Company monthly and annual SEC financial reports are examined to take into consideration the overall financial health of the company from 2000-2006, a period in which the 45th and 50th anniversaries of Disneyland occurred. 1 Table, 7 Photographs, 25 References.