This dissertation analyses the extent to which dominant political ideologies generate meanings in television news texts. The working process of the television news system and the manner in which television news constructs news programmes are discussed. In light of the televisual mode of news production, the author demonstrates how ideologically inspired meanings can systematically enter the television news system and thus potentially manipulate the production of television news broadcasts, though making a semiotic analysis of the CNN representations of September 11. This study is situated within the field of visual culture studies, and semiotic theory is employed to a great extent throughout. The author discusses the influence of dominant political ideologies on the television news production process, and how this contributes to the restriction of the polysemy of the television news sign. Television news representations may be mediated and manipulated in such a way to encourage viewers to produce readings that are favourable towards a certain dominant political ideology. The many mechanisms that television news utilises to create meaning are discussed. The mechanisms that are identified by the author as being the most effective in the production of ideologically inspired meanings are paid particular attention. These semiotic mechanisms include the manipulation of iconic signs, the construction of arbitrary signs and the representation of myths. The CNN representations of the September 11 events are analysed for their ideological content, and the author contends that these televisual representations were deliberately constructed to inspire readings that would be favourable to the ideology of Americanism. Therefore, Americanism, as an example of a dominant political ideology, is discussed. The visual mechanisms employed by CNN after September 11 are analysed. These include the editing of visually recorded footage, the treatment of the newsreader and the incorporation of the image of the American flag. The author offers a reading of the ideological motivation of these texts. The media myths that are constructed to naturalise Americanism, such as the myth of the hero and the myth of the tower, are discussed with regard to the manner in which they were represented by CNN after September 11. The iconic representations of key political figures involved with the September 11 events are also discussed and their ideological meanings uncovered. The CNN television news broadcasts functioned both to inform an international audience of the terrorist attacks and reinforce an ideology in crisis: namely, Americanism. CNN repeatedly employed many visual mechanisms to encourage viewers to produce readings that were favourable to Americanism. While Americanism entered a period of crisis, it mobilised its Ideological State Apparatuses, including television news, to reinforce and justify its position of power in order to maintain its own dominance after a deliberate blow. This study suggests that the CNN representations of September 11 are an accurate indication of how dominant political ideologies can effect the construction of television news texts. Where television news broadcasters reach large audiences while being ideologically aligned, and viewers are deliberately encouraged to produce certain ideologically inspired readings, television news becomes a medium through which widespread ideological domination can be achieved. / Dissertation (MA (Visual Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Visual Arts / unrestricted

The purpose of the present thesis is to analyse the relationship between competition law and economics on the example of the USA and the EU. In the first chapter is mentioned the context that led to the issuance of antitrust laws in the USA, the EU and other countries, as well as the most significant economic theories which had a major influence on the application of competition law. This is followed by the description of the institutional framework of competition law in the USA and the EU, their respective primary sources of law, including non-legislative documents. The second chapter analyses the most significant anticompetitive conducts for both antitrust areas (i.e. anticompetitive agreements and unilateral conducts), with a special attention to the most harmful anticompetitive conducts (e.g. horizontal price fixing) and to relatively new and dynamically developing areas of antitrust law (e.g. refusal to deal related to intellectual property). Each selected conduct is introduced by the description of potential anticompetitive effects of the conduct and it is followed by relevant significant American and European precedents. The last sub-chapters analyse non-legislative documents issued by the FTC, DoJ and EC which enable to educe their current general approach to mergers.

La fibrillation atriale (FA) est l’arythmie soutenue la plus fréquente ; elle entraine une majoration significative de la morbidité et de la mortalité. Les mécanismes qui en sont responsables sont encore incomplètement connus, et sa prise en charge n’est pas optimale. Afin de mieux comprendre la physiopathologie de la FA, nous avons mené différents travaux sur des coeurs de moutons isolés et perfusés par un système de Langendorff mais également en créant un modèle chronique de FA persistante de longue durée. Dans un modèle ovin de FA persistante, nous avons ainsi démontré que la fréquence dominante (DF) de la FA augmentait progressivement pendant les premières semaines de l’arythmie, alors que les épisodes étaient paroxystiques, phénomène en rapport avec le raccourcissement de la durée du potentiel d’action secondaire au remodelage électrophysiologique. La DF se stabilisait dès lors que la FA devenait persistante, une fois le remodelage électrophysiologique maximal. L’accélération de la DF (dDF/dt) était significativement corrélée au temps nécessaire à la transition vers la FA persistante. Le remodelage structurel n’apparaissait que secondairement, une fois l’arythmie devenue persistante. Sur le plan thérapeutique, nous avons étudié les mécanismes anti-arythmiques de la chloroquine (bloqueur d’IK1) et de la ranolazine (bloqueur d’INa), molécules entrainant un ralentissement de la fréquence de rotation des rotors, une diminution de la DF et un retour en rythme sinusal. Ces travaux nous ont permis de mieux appréhender le rôle des ces courants ioniques dans le maintien de la FA. Enfin, nous avons démontré l’efficacité de l’ablation de la FA en utilisant le cryoballon (CB) de deuxième génération, efficacité grevée d’un taux de parésie du nerf phrénique élevé, dont nous avons pu prédire la survenue à l’aide d’un prédicteur simple, la distance entre le bord du CB et la cathéter permettant de stimuler le nerf phrénique pendant l’application. Une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes à l’origine de l’initiation et du maintien de cette arythmie, ainsi qu’une meilleure prise en charge thérapeutique permettraient d’améliorer la qualité de vie des patients et d’en diminuer le taux de complications. / Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, significantly increasing patients’ morbidity and mortality. The mechanisms explaining the initiation and maintenance of the arrhythmia are incompletely understood, and the current treatment strategy is suboptimal. To better understand the pathophysiology of AF, we conducted various projects using Langendorff-perfused sheep hearts and a chronic model of long-standing persistent AF. In the model of persistent AF, we demonstrated that dominant frequency (DF) progressively increases during the first weeks of the arrhythmia, during its paroxysmal stage, due to the electrophysiological remodeling resulting in atrial action potential shortening. DF stabilizes once the electrophysiological remodeling is maximal, and the arrhythmia becomes persitent. The rate of DF increase (dDF/dt) was strongly correlated with the time to persistent AF. Structural remodeling appears secondarily, once transition has occured. We also studied the anti-arrhythmic mechanisms of chloroquine (IK1 blocker) and ranolazine (INa blocker), which slow the frequency of rotation of rotors, decrease the DF and favor reversal to sinus rhythm. These projects helped us to better understand the importance of these currents in AF dynamics. Lastly, we demonstrated the increased efficacy of AF ablation when using the second generation cryoballoon (CB), which regrettably increases the occurrence of phrenic nerve palsy. A simple, reliable predictor of this complication was found, the distance between the lateral edge of the CB and the phrenic nerve stimulating catheter. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the initiation and maintenance of AF, in conjunction with better therapeutic strategies will help to improve patients’ quality of life and decrease the complications of the arrhythmia.

This paper explores the value propositions that exist within ecosystems comprised of organizational and individual actors. The concept of value in general and how value is cocreated in multi-actor networks is explored by using service-dominant logic. The ecosystem is further framed by the intrinsic traits of digital technology as portrayed in The Layered Architecture of Digital Technology. Together, both of these framing conventions create what the paper refers to as a digital service ecosystem. In order to understand the important characteristics of a digital service ecosystem this paper analyzes a case study involving several actors participating in an ecosystem project in northern Sweden. This paper identifies six overarching themes that serve as the basis for three value propositions. A model is introduced as a way to simplify the understanding of each value proposition and how they interact with one another.

Information Technology as a Challenge for EU Law Google - Abuse of Dominant Position within the EU Abstract Google is primarily an ad-centric platform-based ecosystem and its services are daily used by millions of consumers, many without any monetary compensation. However, despite this undeniable benefit, due to its anti-competitive conduct (abuse of its dominant position) within the EEA, the European Commission had to intervene and impose fines and remedies on Google in order to restore competition on the merits and cease further consumer harm. The objective of this thesis is to establish, whether it was the conduct of Google which caused consumer harm, in qualitative terms of diminishing consumer choice and stifling innovation, or whether it was the allegedly interventionist approach of the European Commission, established through the remedies stipulated in the analysed decisions, which caused it. To reach this objective, firstly, the economic realities of multisided platforms are explained in Chapter 1. Afterwards, in Chapter 2, the specification of consumer harm in the digital markets coupled with the factors which influence consumer harm are discussed. Then, in Chapters 3 to 5 three separate analyses of three separate decisions on Google's abuse of dominant position are presented - namely - Google...

Economy professor Kjell Nordström argued at the Nordic Business forum Sweden, that regions such as Värmland would turn into wastelands in the aftermath of digitalization and urbanization. Digitalization has rapidly changed service provision effecting the provider-user interaction and service options available. To stay competitive, a sustainability report on the region recommends local actors to find common goals to enhance the value-proposition providing advantages not offered by larger elsewhere controlled or e-commerce actors. Previous studies regarding value co-creation conclude that due to macro level influences such as digitalization, a systemic approach is vital. Hence, this thesis uses a service ecosystem, approach addressing the problem and research inquiries regarding relationship market influence in and among various levels and relationship construction for mutual member goals capturing value. The aim of this thesis is to explore how actors can increase their resilience towards macro level influences. The empirical data was gathered through conducting a qualitative exploratory case study using non-probability sampling to map the service ecosystem around a resilient actor. The data collection comprised of field observation, a brief document analysis and seven semi-structured interviews. Five interviews with different actors supported by two interviews with key customers. The data was processed and thematically analyzed through coding and grouping. Findings was then compared to the theoretical framework and discussed in relation to the background and problem. The study concluded that actors were unable of making an impact individually and essentially need goal alignment for institutional change. However, depending on actor size, type, level of digitalization, and market aim, the importance varies. Actors primarily targeting a regional market were considered dependent on goal alignment and institutional change for resilience. By accomplishing collective goals ecosystem members indirectly achieve individual goals increasing competitiveness, enhancing the business climate. Through institutional change members counteract and restructure the ecosystem adjusting to macro level changes affecting the meso and micro interaction creating resilience.

This dissertation thesis is focused on the analysis of specific cutting forces and accompanying effects during machining of the new materials, composite materials. The experimental part is split up to two main chapters. In the first chapter, the development of specific cutting forces is analyzed in detail when cutting conditions are changing. The experimental machining of glass/polyester and carbon/epoxy composites is described for fibers orientations 0 a 90 (ie, the orientation of the fibers in the feed rate direction and perpendicular to the feed rate direction). The influence of the cutting tool flank wear on the specific cutting force is investigated further. The last section compares the values of specific cutting forces when machining with carbide milling tools deposited by different types of coating. The second chapter describes the measurement of sound spectrums generated by cutting process, sound maps creating and finding possible correlations between dominant frequencies of the sound and the specific cutting forces, or the cutting tool flank wear. The measurements are described for the cases of machining steel 15 260.7 and glass-polyester composite material.

On the 8th of January 2005, two deep technical cave divers entered Bushman’s Hole, a water filled cave system in the Northern Cape in South Africa. One did not return, the other, fighting the elements for over 12 hours, narrated the event the very next day. This exploration into the narratives of a technical cave diver, is an interpretive journey into the various constructions informing the process of making sense of the death of a fellow dive partner. Exploration of the unknown within the wombs of the earth uncompromisingly challenges society’s dominant views on death and the safekeeping imperative. This exploration of the culture within death and survival in water filled cave systems is situated within the narrative ontology. Subsequently this exploration is aimed at continuously integrating the historical and cultural messages within this dangerous pastime in attempt to find meaning within the narratives of one such individual who ventured into this darkness. Ultimately this exploration is aimed at understanding narratives of sense making employed by a technical cave diver after the loss of a fellow diver amidst the passion that summoned them to explore the darkness within water filled cave systems; a pastime that has been labelled by some as the most dangerous sporting pursuit available to humankind. The journey starts with a literature exploration on death, moving through various researched understandings of the bereavement experience. From there it continues into the nature of interpretive methodology, with an in-depth focus on the historical and cultural situated nature of the narratives we employ in making sense of our world. This qualitative approach is based on the subjective experienced and interpreted meaning that I discovered while moving through the narrated text, hence this journey is also reflective of the co-construction of meaning that implicitly takes place between individuals when making sense of their own experiences. As the receiver of this narrative exploration, you too will find meaning within this journey, meaning co-constructed with the multitude of narratives and experiences that have historically and culturally entered your interpretive process. Implicit within this exploration is the unique nature of the death and bereavement experience within the specific context of deep technical cave diving. This journey places the emphasis on the uniqueness of the bereavement experience, and ultimately challenges the objective approach to dealing with bereavement as a psychologist. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / Unrestricted

The fast fashion industry has a large negative impact on the environment and its workers. Consumers purchasing fast fashion are reinforcing the dominant social paradigm, the assumption that humans are superior and the Earth’s resources unlimited. Even though customers are reconsidering their fashion consumer behavior, they often fall back to making unsustainable choices. Research has shown that communication strengthens ethical consumption and supports reducing the attitude-behavior gap. This study proposes that sustainable communication encourages fashion customers to reason with themselves in a way their behavior evolves to be more sustainable. The aim is to investigate customers’ reception and interaction with sustainable communication using the example of the ethical fashion brand Nudie Jeans. Based on the theories of the attitude-behavior gap and sustainable communication, semi-structured in-depth interviews with Nudie Jeans customers were conducted. The analysis of the interview responses demonstrates the initial presence of an attitude-behavior gap and low awareness of sustainable communication among customers. The research indicates that after customers have developed an awareness of sustainable concerns in the fashion industry, a fashion brand can succeed in encouraging customers to adjust predominant consumption patterns towards more ethical ones. On this basis, it is recommended that ethical fashion brands continuously use transparent sustainable communication to educate consumers about the environmental and social maladministration in the fashion industry.

Countries in the Persian Gulf and Pacific Asia have in a short time transformed themselves into economic powerhouses. The urban environment in these countries has been highly impacted by a tremendous economic growth and an emphasis on megaprojects containing modernistic urban design as well as the hosting of prestigious events. This has evidently been a part of well-defined strategies in order to maintain growth and to secure future development. Although same or at least similar strategies are used by many ‘emerging world class’ cities, they act in very different environments and with different preconditions. These strategies are mainly thought to originate from theories about global competitiveness where cities act and compete in a global hierarchy. One of the ‘emerging world class’ cities is Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. In the case study provided in this thesis, evidence of a very tight and defined strategy containing the usage of world-class urban projects as a facilitator of future growth is presented. This strategy is also a product of a powerful government with a highly motivated Prime minister with almost unrestricted possibilities. Not many other actors have played a significant role in the recent urban transformation of Kuala Lumpur. A different perspective is also investigated which seeks to explain the development using a more domestic approach rather than the global perspective which is emphasized through this study.