In 2007, popular mystery author Kyōgoku Natsuhiko attempted to adapt a collection of random stories known as the Mimi bukuro or Tales Heard into kaidan, tales of the strange and mysterious for today’s readership. The writing experiment ended with Kyōgoku questioning his own writing abilities and publishing his small collection of adapted stories into a book that was not considered very frightening. Although the experiment failed, Kyōgoku’s efforts raise the question, “if not kaidan, what is frightening in the twentieth century?” The reason why kaidan are no longer frightening is because their central characters, yōkai, have been displaced from the horror genre. Today the yōkai that were once popular in the Edo period have been “cutesified” for businesses, films, and children’s shows. What is frightening today is no longer the Edo period monster, but rather aliens, ghosts, scientific monsters, and serial killers that represent a fear of the unknown. While the unknown has been a fear of man since the beginning, how it is symbolized and interpreted changes over time based on society and individual experiences. Chapter one traces the development of yōkai’s transformation from traditional horror story icons to children’s characters and role models. Chapter two analyzes and compares four of the original stories from the Mimi bukuro to Kyōgoku’s adaptation to understand what was scary during the Edo period, and what Kyōgoku deemed frightening in modern times. Chapter three analyzes three different monsters and explains why they were frightening and what problems or unknown situations each monster represented for modern audiences.

京都大学 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(農学) / 乙第13458号 / 論農博第2899号 / 新制||農||1088(附属図書館) / 学位論文||R3||N5362(農学部図書室) / (主査)教授 小川 順, 教授 阪井 康能, 教授 栗原 達夫 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Tesis por compendio / [EN] The biocontrol agent (BCA) Candida sake CPA-1, has proven to be effective against the pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea, causing agent of grey mold in many fruits. The aim of this Thesis was to develop biocontrol products (BCP), based on this BCA and coating forming agents (CFAs) with good stability and efficacy against fungus infection. Several formulations of CFAs, based on biopolymers (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), corn starch (S), sodium caseinate (NaCas) and pea protein (PP)), combined with surfactants (oleic acid (OA), Span 80 (S80) and Tween 85 (T85)), were obtained and analyzed as to their ability to improve the adherence, survival and efficacy of C. sake on grapes. The functionality of these formulations as coatings was also analyzed with and without yeast cells. Likewise, dry formulations based on low cost CFAs (starch derivatives) and C. sake were obtained by means of fluidized-bed drying and their physical and microbiological stability were studied as a function of product moisture content. The application of C. sake in combination with CFAs permitted an improvement in the initial adherence of the yeast on the surface of grapes and also higher survival rates. The protein-based coatings (NaCas and PP), both with and without surfactants showed the best results, suggesting that these matrices are more adequate supports for the BCA. CFAs also enhanced the efficacy of the BCA efficacy at controlling grey mold with respect to C. sake applied in water. NaCas and PP, and also some of the formulations based on S, exhibited the highest reduction values as regards to the incidence and severity of the infection. When the main properties of the coating forming dispersions and films were analyzed, it could be observed that the type of polymer, more than the presence or type of surfactant, greatly influenced the obtained values. The viability of C. sake on the different matrices was greatly reduced during storage at 25°C. However, protein-based coatings showed slightly higher counts. The coatings formed were not estimated to be tick and so they did not represent a relevant barrier to the gas exchanges of the fruit, although they were sufficient to improve the performance of C. sake as BCA. The physical stability of the different BCPs based on C. sake and starch derivatives (potato starch, pre-gelatinized potato starch and maltodextrins) was ensured below a water activity (aW) of 0.75 at room temperature, since BCPs were in a glassy state. However, the viability of C. sake at 20°C over time was greatly affected by the aW. Thus, whereas an aW ¿ 0.43 caused fast reductions in the viability of the BCA in all of the formulations, an aW ¿ 0.33 better preserved the viability of the yeast. This is a key factor since 0.33 is the aW value of a newly dried product and its moisturizing must be avoided in order to maintain its effectiveness in terms of cell viability. Nevertheless, 20°C was considered a non-adequate temperature since, even at low aW, a remarkable decline in viable cells was observed. However, cold storage of BCPs at 5°C allowed for a very good preservation of viable cells even after 6 months. A BCP based on maltodextrins as the main carrier was the formulation that showed the best potential to formulate C. sake in terms of the cell viability preservation and feasibility of in-field application due to its faster water solubilization. / [ES] El agente de biocontrol (ABC) Candida sake CPA-1 ha demostrado ser efectivo frente al hongo patogénico Botrytis cinerea, el agente causante de la podredumbre gris en muchas frutas. El objetivo de esta Tesis fue el desarrollo de productos de biocontrol (PBC) basados en este ABC y agentes formadores de recubrimiento (AFRs), con una buena estabilidad y efectividad frente a la infección fúngica. Se obtuvieron diversas formulaciones de AFRs, basadas en biopolímeros (hidroxipropilmetilcelulosa (HPMC), almidón de maíz (AM), caseinato sódico (NaCas) y proteína de guisantes (PG)), combinados con tensoactivos (ácido oleico (AO), Span 80 (S80) y Tween 85 (T85)). Todas ellas se analizaron en su capacidad para mejorar la adherencia, supervivencia y eficacia de C. sake en uvas. Se estudio también la funcionalidad de estas formulaciones como recubrimientos con y sin la incorporación de células de la levadura. Asimismo, se obtuvieron formulados secos basados en AFRs de bajo coste (derivados de almidón) y C. sake por secado en lecho fluido y su estabilidad física y microbiológica fue estudiada en función de su contenido en humedad. La aplicación de C. sake en combinación con AFRs permitió una mejora de la adherencia inicial de la levadura en la superficie de uvas y también una mayor supervivencia. Los recubrimientos basados en proteínas (NaCas y PG) con y sin tensoactivos mostraron los mejores resultados, sugiriendo que estas matrices son soportes más adecuados para el ABC. Los AFRs también mejoraron la efectividad del ABC en el control de la podredumbre gris en comparación con C. sake aplicada con agua. NaCas y PG, así como algunas de las formulaciones basadas en AM, dieron lugar a los valores más elevados de reducción de la incidencia y severidad de la infección. Cuando se analizaron las principales propiedades de las dispersiones formadoras de recubrimiento y las películas, se pudo observar que el tipo de polímero, más que la presencia o tipo de tensoactivo, afectó considerablemente los valores obtenidos. La viabilidad de C. sake en las distintas matrices se vio muy afectada durante su almacenamiento a 25°C. Sin embargo, los recubrimientos a base de proteínas mostraron recuentos ligeramente superiores. El espesor estimado de los recubrimientos formados en las uvas fue muy bajo, por lo que éstos no supusieron un efecto barrera relevante para los intercambios de gases de la fruta, aunque fueron suficientes para mejorar la función de C. sake como ABC. La estabilidad física de los diferentes PBCs basados en C. sake y derivados de almidón (almidón de patata, almidón de patata pregelatinizado y maltodextrinas) quedó asegurada a actividades de agua (aW) por debajo de 0.75 a temperatura ambiente, ya que los PBCs se encontraban en estado vítreo. Sin embargo, la viabilidad de C. sake a 25°C durante el tiempo se vio altamente disminuida. Mientras valores de aW ¿ 0.43 causaron rápidas reducciones en la viabilidad del ABC en todas las formulaciones, valores de aW ¿ 0.33 preservaron mejor la viabilidad de la levadura. Esto es un factor clave ya que 0.33 es el valor de aW de los productos recién obtenidos, por lo que su hidratación debe evitarse para mantener su efectividad en términos de viabilidad celular. No obstante, 20°C no fue considerada una temperatura de conservación adecuada ya que, incluso a valores bajos de aW, se observó un marcado descenso en el número de células viables. Por su parte, el almacenamiento en frío a 5°C permitió un muy buen mantenimiento de células viables, incluso tras 6 meses de almacenamiento. El PBC basado en maltodextrinas como soporte principal fue el formulado que mostró el mejor potencial para formular C. sake en términos de mantenimiento de la viabilidad celular y practicidad para su aplicación en campo, debido a su rápida solubilidad en agua. / [CA] L'agent de biocontrol (ABC) Candida sake CPA-1 ha demostrat s'efectiu enfront del fong patogènic Botrytis cinerea, l'agent causal de la podridura grisa en moltes fruites. L'objectiu d'aquesta Tesi va ser el desenvolupament de productes de biocontrol (PBC) basats en aquest ABC i agents formadors de recobriment (AFRs), amb una bona estabilitat i efectivitat enfront de la infecció fúngica. Es van obtindre diverses formulacions d'AFRs, basades en biopolímers (hidroxipropilmetilcelulosa (HPMC), midó de dacsa (M), caseinat sòdic (NaCas) i proteïna de pésol (PP)), combinats amb tensoactius (acid oleic (AO), Span 80 (S80) i Tween 85 (T85)). Totes elles van ser analitzades en la seua capacitat per a millorar l'adherència, supervivència i eficàcia de C. sake en raïm. La funcionalitat com a recobriments d'aquestes formulacions també va ser estudiada amb i sense la incorporació de cèl·lules del llevat. Tanmateix, es van obtindre formulats secs basats en AFRs de baix cost (derivats de midó) i C. sake per assecat en llit fluiditzat i la seua estabilitat física i microbiològica va ser estudiada en funció del seu contingut en humitat. L'aplicació de C. sake en combinació amb AFRs va permetre una millora de l'adherència inicial del llevat sobre la superfície de raïm i també una major supervivència. Els recobriments basats en proteïnes (NaCas i PP) amb i sense tensoactius van mostrar els millors resultats, suggerint que aquestes matrius són suports més adequats per a l'ABC. Els AFRs també van millorar l'efectivitat de l'ABC en el control de la podridura grisa en comparació amb C. sake aplicada amb aigua. NaCas i PP, així com algunes de les formulacions basades en M, van donar lloc als valors més elevats de reducció de la incidència i severitat de la infecció. Quan les principals propietats de les dispersions formadores de recobriment i pel·lícules van ser analitzades, es va poder observar que el tipus de polímer, més que la presència o tipus de tensoactiu, va afectar considerablement els valors obtinguts. La viabilitat de C. sake en les diferents matrius es va veure molt afectada durant el seu emmagatzemament a 25°C. No obstant això, els recobriments a base de proteïnes van mostrar recomptes lleugerament superiors. La grossària estimada dels recobriments formats en el raïm va ser molt baixa, per la qual cosa aquests no van suposar un efecte barrera rellevant per als intercanvis de gasos de la fruita, encara que van ser suficients per a millorar la funció de C. sake com ABC. L'estabilitat física dels diferents PBCs basats en C. sake i derivats de midó (midó de creïlla, midó de creïlla pregelatinitzat i maltodextrines) va quedar assegurada a activitats d'aigua (aW) per davall de 0.75 a temperatura ambient, ja que els PBCs es trobaven en estat vitri. No obstant això, la viabilitat de C. sake a 25°C durant el temps es va veure altament afectada. Mentre que valors d'aW ¿ 0.43 van causar ràpides reduccions en la viabilitat de l'ABC en totes les formulacions, valors d'aW ¿ 0.33 an preservar millor la viabilitat del llevat. Açò és un factor clau ja que 0.33 és el valor d'aW dels productes acabats d'obtindre, per la qual cosa la seua hidratació ha d'evitar-se per a mantindre la seua efectivitat en termes de viabilitat cel·lular. No obstant això, 20°C va ser considerada una temperatura no adequada ja que, fins i tot a valors d'aW baixos, un marcat descens en el nombre de cèl·lules viables va ser observat. Per la seua banda, l'emmagatzemament en fred a 5°C va permetre un molt bon manteniment de cèl·lules viables, fins i tot després de 6 mesos. El PBC basat en maltodextrines com a suport principal va ser el formulat que va mostrar el millor potencial per a formular C. sake en termes de manteniment de la viabilitat cel·lular i practicitat per a la seua aplicació en camp, degut a la seua ràpida solubilitat en aigua. / Marín Gozalbo, A. (2016). Coating forming agents as carriers of the biocontrol agent Candida sake with antifungal effect against Botrytis cinerea on grapes [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/71678 / Compendio

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / For women in patriarchal societies, life is stitched with silence and violence. This is especially true for women of color. In a world that has cast women as invisible and voiceless, to create from the margins is to demand to be seen and heard. Thus, women’s art has never had the privilege of being art for art’s sake and instead is necessarily involved in the work of articulating and (re)writing female experience. When women seek, through their work and art, to feel deeply and connect with other women, they tap into what Audre Lorde has famously termed “the power of the erotic.” Lorde suggests that to acknowledge and trust those deepest feelings within our bodies is a subversive power that spurs social change. In the following work, novels by Kate Chopin, Gayl Jones, and Edwidge Danticat are linked by their female characters who seek the erotic via their art of choice and, in doing so, resist disempowerment and explore the life-giving nature of female connection. Furthermore, because the authors themselves are engaged in rendering the female experience visible, the novels discussed actively converse with their respective waves of feminism and propel social activism and feminist discourse. Hence, this project provides both a close reading of The Awakening, Corregidora, and The Dew Breaker, and a broader contention on the role of women’s literature in social justice.

This thesis examines the roles of the New Zealand university in a knowledge society. Gaps in the literature of the New Zealand university in a contemporary context mean that the enquiry is informed by European and North American discussions of the educational requirements of a knowledge society. As the notions of the knowledge society and a liberal university education are both problematic and central to this enquiry, they are interrogated, in the second chapter, in some depth. A second review examines the work, recommendations and subsequent legislative outcomes of the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission (TEAC) policy process of 1999 to 2003. The principles of critical theory and critical policy scholarship inform these interpretative textual analyses. The two review chapters, which follow the introductory chapter, comprise the first part of the thesis. A description of the methodological framework employed throughout the project and a report of the findings of a survey of stakeholders follow. The discussion chapter comprises the third and final part of the thesis. The thesis seeks to distinguish the notion of the knowledge society from that of the neo-liberal approach to social and economic management. I argue that the notion of the knowledge society is viable in a range of socio-economic conditions. I suggest that the educational requirements of a knowledge society are better addressed when the scope of a university education is framed by holistic individual, social, and economic determinants, rather than rigid ideological imperatives such as those characteristic of neo-liberalism. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies is employed. Primary data are gathered by way of a postal questionnaire. The perceptions of three cohorts of stakeholders of the New Zealand university are analysed using both statistical and interpretative tools. Data gathered through a review of the literature of the university in relation to the notion of the knowledge society in New Zealand, North America, and various European contexts are analysed using a combination of critical and interpretive approaches. The major finding to emerge from the enquiry is that stakeholders of the New Zealand university associate an effective university education with breadth of learning. The notion of a liberal university education, with its attendant beyond-vocation curriculum assumptions, is not considered anachronistic by the majority of stakeholders surveyed during this project. Public and private sector employers and university students strongly associate a liberal university education with effective preparation for participation in a knowledge-intensive environment. Year 13 secondary students are less certain. A secondary finding is that most stakeholders consider that the research activities of the university academic should continue to inform university teaching, but that the teaching role is of growing importance, and therefore worthy of greater emphasis, in the context of a knowledge society. The project is intended to provoke further discussion around the relationship between the New Zealand university and the knowledge society. To date there has been little academic consideration of this relationship. The contribution of this thesis, relative to this gap, is therefore significant.

This research delves into the complex themes of perception, art, and self in Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Drawing from Wilde's philosophy of "Art for Art's Sake," the study explores the characterization of Dorian Gray through the perspectives of Lord Henry and Basil Hallward. The central question revolves around whether Henry's and Basil's individual understanding of Dorian accurately represents his true nature and how this perception influences the protagonist. To establish the philosophical foundation, Wilde's essays "The Decay of Lying" and "The Critic as Artist" are analyzed, highlighting the concepts of art, critique, and the artist. The symbolic significance of the portrait and mirror is examined, revealing their role in reflecting Dorian's duality and inner conflict but also working as an extention of Henry and Basil as Art Crtitics. By incorporating Ian Watt's theory of apprehension of reality, the paper explores the limitations of Henry and Basil in comprehending Dorian's true self. Dorian is viewed as a semi-art figure, both a work of art and a human being. The research aims to shed light on why Henry and Basil fail to truly see Dorian, ultimately enhancing our understanding of his characterization. Through a methodology encompassing close reading, analysis, and interpretation, this study contributes to existing scholarship by offering new insights into the intricate exploration of self-perception and the interplay between art and life in Wilde's only novel.

In hierdie proefskrif is die belangrike rol wat inligting tans en toenemend in die samelewing speel ondersoek, om te beklemtoon hoe noodsaaklik dit tans is om `n misdryf wat die wederregtelike en opsetlike verkryging van inligting strafbaar sal reël, te verorden. Die rol wat industriële spioenasie in die verband speel word uitgelig. As gevolg van die bepaalde onliggaamlike aard van inligting kan inligting nie soos liggaamlike eiendom `n persoon ontneem word nie. Inligting word gewoonlik bloot gekopieer en die oorspronklike houer van die inligting behou die inligting hoewel die dader ook die inligting verkry. Die gemeenregtelike misdaad van diefstal maak dus nie voorsiening vir die diefstal van inligting waar die inligting bloot gekopieer of gedupliseer is nie. Om te bepaal hoe hierdie bepaalde probleem in ander lande se regstelsels aangespreek word en om kennis op te doen oor hoe dit in die Suid-Afrikaanse reg aangespreek behoort te word, is die strafregtelike bepalings en selfs nie-strafregtelike bepalings in lande soos Engeland, Amerika, Kanada en Nederland ondersoek. Ten einde vas te stel welke inligting deur die strafreg beskerm behoort te word, is selfs sekere nie-strafregtelike bepalings van vermelde lande en van die Suid-Afrikaanse reg nagegaan. Insigte is verkry oor welke elemente sodanige inligting aan moet voldoen en `n definisie van beskermwaardige inligting word aanbeveel. Vir hierdie doel is `n nuwe begrip van beskermwaardige inligting geskep. Die redes waarom diefstal van inligting nie in Suid-Afrikaanse en die ander lande se regstelsels nie erken word nie, is bespreek. Die wyse waarop die gemeenregtelike misdaad van diefstal na die diefstal van onliggaamlike geld uitgebrei is, is ondersoek waarna `n aanbeveling gemaak word oor hoe die definisie van diefstal uitgebrei kan word om ook ander onliggaamlike objekte in te sluit. As gevolg van die bepaalde aard van inligting kan die gemeenregtelike definisie van diefstal nie uitgebrei word om inligting as `n objek in te sluit nie en word `n statutêre misdryf van diefstal van inligting voorgestel. / Jurisprudence / LL. D.

This dissertation is mainly on Wole Soyinka as a dramatist. It aims to show that Soyinka, far from being an irrelevant artist as some of his fiercest critics have alleged, is a deeply committed writer whose works are characterised by a strong sense of concern with basic human values of right and wrong, good and evil. Furthermore, the dissertation shows that although Soyinka is not an admirer of Marxist aesthetics, he is certainly not in the art-for-art's-sake camp either, I because he is fully aware of the utilitarian value of literature. Soyinka's works are much influenced by his social and historical background, and the dissertation shows that Soyinka's socio-political awareness pervades all these works, although it will be seen that in the later plays there is a sharpened political awareness. Although largely concerned with his own country's issues, Soyinka also emerges as a keen observer of humanity universally / English Studies / M.A. (English)

Personal financial management is an integrated part of modern man's everyday life. It does not only involve spending his monthly income. It comprises his outlook on life, the way he handles all his financial affairs as well as the way he goes about minimizing his financial risks. The financial plan that the individual has to provide for his retirement, to take care of his dependants as well as the way that the assets he acquired during this lifetime, must be distributed after his death, also forms part of this personal financial management. The main purpose of the study is to determine the levels of personal financial management practiced by employees of NWK Limited, as well as to determine the need for guidance in this regard. The following aspects of personal financial management are researched in chapter 2. These aspects were used to determine to what extent personal financial management was performed by having the study population anonymously complete a customized questionnaire. The following aspects were applied: * Attitude towards money. * Management style with regards to money. * Time value of money. * The financial plan. * Investments. The results of the study confirmed that there is a definite need for guidance with regard to personal financial management, especially under the younger employees as well as the personnel in the lower job levels of the company. Through the rendering of a tailored guidance programme, productivity as well as the quality of life, especially after retirement, could be improved significantly. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Personal financial management is an integrated part of modern man's everyday life. It does not only involve spending his monthly income. It comprises his outlook on life, the way he handles all his financial affairs as well as the way he goes about minimizing his financial risks. The financial plan that the individual has to provide for his retirement, to take care of his dependants as well as the way that the assets he acquired during this lifetime, must be distributed after his death, also forms part of this personal financial management. The main purpose of the study is to determine the levels of personal financial management practiced by employees of NWK Limited, as well as to determine the need for guidance in this regard. The following aspects of personal financial management are researched in chapter 2. These aspects were used to determine to what extent personal financial management was performed by having the study population anonymously complete a customized questionnaire. The following aspects were applied: * Attitude towards money. * Management style with regards to money. * Time value of money. * The financial plan. * Investments. The results of the study confirmed that there is a definite need for guidance with regard to personal financial management, especially under the younger employees as well as the personnel in the lower job levels of the company. Through the rendering of a tailored guidance programme, productivity as well as the quality of life, especially after retirement, could be improved significantly. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.