After a review of the notions of Hausdorff and Fourier dimensions from fractal geometry and Fourier analysis and the properties of local times of Brownian motion, we study the Fourier structure of Brownian level sets. We show that if δa(X) is the Dirac measure of one-dimensional Brownian motion X at the level a, that is the measure defined by the Brownian local time La at level a, and μ is its restriction to the random interval [0, L−1 a (1)], then the Fourier transform of μ is such that, with positive probability, for all 0 ≤ β < 1/2, the function u → |u|β|μ(u)|2, (u ∈ R), is bounded. This growth rate is the best possible. Consequently, each Brownian level set, reduced to a compact interval, is with positive probability, a Salem set of dimension 1/2. We also show that the zero set of X reduced to the interval [0, L−1 0 (1)] is, almost surely, a Salem set. Finally, we show that the restriction μ of δ0(X) to the deterministic interval [0, 1] is such that its Fourier transform satisfies E (|ˆμ(u)|2) ≤ C|u|−1/2, u 6= 0 and C > 0. Key words: Hausdorff dimension, Fourier dimension, Salem sets, Brownian motion, local times, level sets, Fourier transform, inverse local times. / Decision Sciences / PhD. (Operations Research)

After a review of the notions of Hausdorff and Fourier dimensions from fractal geometry and Fourier analysis and the properties of local times of Brownian motion, we study the Fourier structure of Brownian level sets. We show that if δa(X) is the Dirac measure of one-dimensional Brownian motion X at the level a, that is the measure defined by the Brownian local time La at level a, and μ is its restriction to the random interval [0, L−1 a (1)], then the Fourier transform of μ is such that, with positive probability, for all 0 ≤ β < 1/2, the function u → |u|β|μ(u)|2, (u ∈ R), is bounded. This growth rate is the best possible. Consequently, each Brownian level set, reduced to a compact interval, is with positive probability, a Salem set of dimension 1/2. We also show that the zero set of X reduced to the interval [0, L−1 0 (1)] is, almost surely, a Salem set. Finally, we show that the restriction μ of δ0(X) to the deterministic interval [0, 1] is such that its Fourier transform satisfies E (|ˆμ(u)|2) ≤ C|u|−1/2, u 6= 0 and C > 0. Key words: Hausdorff dimension, Fourier dimension, Salem sets, Brownian motion, local times, level sets, Fourier transform, inverse local times. / Decision Sciences / PhD. (Operations Research)

Où va le temps de travail ? Cette thèse reprend et tente de prolonger cette interrogation formulée, il y a presque vingt ans. En s’appuyant sur une étude quantitative et qualitative des dispositifs négociés de compte épargne-temps et des stratégies d’articulation des temps sociaux mises en œuvre par les salariés, cette thèse donne corps à la notion de désynchronisation. En admettant que l’industrialisation ait conduit à une synchronisation des temps professionnels et sociaux, cette recherche s’attache à montrer que ce mouvement s’est inversé. Elle dessine les contours d’un phénomène en construction, qui permet des configurations individuelles des temps et généralise ses marchandages. La thèse dresse le bilan de cette évolution en matière d’égalité, de classes et de genre ; elle expose les possibilités d’articulation temporelle et les risques relatifs à l’isolement et au maintien du lien social. En cherchant à faire la lumière sur le phénomène de désynchronisation, cette thèse s’interroge sur l’avènement d’un nouvel ordre temporel : le marché des temps. / Where is working time going? This thesis resumes and attempts to extend this query/question formulated almost twenty years ago.Based on a quantitative and qualitative study of negotiated time-saving accounts, and on employees’ strategies for social times articulation, this PhD thesis gives substance to the notion of desynchronization. Assuming that industrialization has led to a synchronization of professional and social times, it seeks to show that this movement has been reversed. It describes this phenomenon under construction, which allows individual configurations and generalizes time bargaining. It assesses class and gender equality; it exposes the opportunities for time articulation; it qualifies the risks of isolation and reveals the consequences for social ties. In seeking to shed light on the phenomenon of desynchronization, this thesis questions the advent of a new temporal order: the market of times.

The diploma thesis Media picture of building the Berlin wall - Rudé právo, The New York Times, The Times addresses the events associated with the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and primarily presents the analysis of newspaper articles connected to the Berlin Wall topic. The issue of the Berlin Wall is portrayed before its construction, during the construction and immediately after it. In the "Teoretická východiska" chapter, the concepts used as a basis of the subsequent analysis of selected newspapers are explained. The first part of the thesis presents the historical and political circumstances of the Berlin Wall construction, especially the development of the Cold War between the representatives of East and West. The analysis of the three selected newspaper titles is preceded by a narrative interview with a foreign correspondent from Rudé právo. His statements serve as an illustration of the former Berlin atmosphere. In the analysis of the newspapers Rudé právo, The New York Times and The Times, emphasis is placed on the article contents, presentation style, theme diversity, trends and information value of the presented news. The output of the analysis is a comparison of all three selected titles and is based on the given theoretical grounds. This thesis is meant to serve as an example...

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo modelar as séries de concessão de crédito bancário às pessoas físicas, às pessoas jurídicas e para financiamento de atividades rurais, bem como realizar previsões a cerca dos comportamentos destas séries. A metodologia utilizada foi de Auto- Regressão Vetorial. A propriedade de co-integração entre as variáveis foi considerada no trabalho, sendo que foram estimados modelos de Auto-Regressão Vetorial com Correção de Erro &#150; VEC. Os resultados mostram que o produto, a taxa de juros cobrada nos empréstimos, as exportações e as vendas no varejo podem auxiliar na geração de previsões satisfatórias das concessões de crédito às pessoas jurídicas e às pessoas físicas. Para o modelo de previsão das concessões de crédito para financiamento de atividades rurais, utilizaram-se variáveis referentes à produção de fertilizantes, vendas de tratores e colheitadeiras, produção de leite e produção de carnes bovina, suínas e de aves, sendo que as previsões geradas pelo modelo apresentaram performance adequada, dada a dificuldade da modelagem. / The aim of this study was to model the series of banking credit concessions to individuals, to firms and for rural activities financing, and to generate forecasts about the behavior of that series. The methodology used was the Vector Auto-Regression. The property of co-integration among the variables was considered, and were estimated Vector Auto-Regression models with Error Correction &#150; VEC. The results shows that the product, the lending interest rate, the exportation and the retail sales can to help on the generation of satisfactory forecast of the banking credit concessions to firms and to individuals. Regarding the forecast model of the banking credit concessions for rural activities financing, was used variables about the fertilizers production, sales of tractors and harvesters machines, milk production and the production of meat of cattle, pork and chicken, and the forecasts generated by the model showed suitable perform, considering the modeling difficult.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo modelar as séries de concessão de crédito bancário às pessoas físicas, às pessoas jurídicas e para financiamento de atividades rurais, bem como realizar previsões a cerca dos comportamentos destas séries. A metodologia utilizada foi de Auto- Regressão Vetorial. A propriedade de co-integração entre as variáveis foi considerada no trabalho, sendo que foram estimados modelos de Auto-Regressão Vetorial com Correção de Erro &#150; VEC. Os resultados mostram que o produto, a taxa de juros cobrada nos empréstimos, as exportações e as vendas no varejo podem auxiliar na geração de previsões satisfatórias das concessões de crédito às pessoas jurídicas e às pessoas físicas. Para o modelo de previsão das concessões de crédito para financiamento de atividades rurais, utilizaram-se variáveis referentes à produção de fertilizantes, vendas de tratores e colheitadeiras, produção de leite e produção de carnes bovina, suínas e de aves, sendo que as previsões geradas pelo modelo apresentaram performance adequada, dada a dificuldade da modelagem. / The aim of this study was to model the series of banking credit concessions to individuals, to firms and for rural activities financing, and to generate forecasts about the behavior of that series. The methodology used was the Vector Auto-Regression. The property of co-integration among the variables was considered, and were estimated Vector Auto-Regression models with Error Correction &#150; VEC. The results shows that the product, the lending interest rate, the exportation and the retail sales can to help on the generation of satisfactory forecast of the banking credit concessions to firms and to individuals. Regarding the forecast model of the banking credit concessions for rural activities financing, was used variables about the fertilizers production, sales of tractors and harvesters machines, milk production and the production of meat of cattle, pork and chicken, and the forecasts generated by the model showed suitable perform, considering the modeling difficult.

Abstract Title: The war in Afghanistan – a necessary evil? (Kriget i Afghanistan – ett nödvändigt ont? En kritisk diskursanalys av New York Times ställningstagande till och framing av kriget i Afghanistan) Number of pages: 41 (41 including enclosures) Authors: Jenny Häggmark, Madeleine Jansson Tutor: Christian Christensen Course: Media and Communication Studies C Period: Fall term 2011 University: Division of Media and Communication, Department of Information Science, Uppsala University Purpose/aim: Our main goal with this paper is to examine and describe how The New York Times have framed the war in Afghanistan in their editorials, and how their position on the war is reflected in the editorials. We are also interested in finding out if their position on the war has changed during the ten years of war. Are the New York Times editorials characterized by peace or war journalism? Material/Method: To fulfill our aim with this paper we are going to use a qualitative method of content analyzes, the critical discourse analysis, when we analyze the editorials selected. The material consists of 40 editorials from The New York Times from four different years – 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2011 – ten from each year. We will analyze these editorials using Johan Galtung’s theory of peace and war journalism, along with the theory of framing, using Robert M. Entman’s definition as a base. Main results: Our main results are that The New York Times has changed their position on the war in Afghanistan since it started in 2001. The first two years that we have analyzed, 2001 and 2004, The New York Times were positive towards the war. However, their position on the war has been negative or neutral in the studied editorials from 2007 and 2011. Our results show that The New York Times framed the war in six salient frames – position, peace, war, nation building/democracy in Afghanistan, “us and them”, and criticism against the Bush administration. The editorials from 2001 are characterized as war journalism while the majority of the editorials from the following years are characterized as peace journalism. Key words: War in Afghanistan, framing, peace journalism, war journalism, New York Times, editorials.

Abstract This paper studies the audience¡¦s motivation in watching ¡§shopping channels¡¨ in cable television (TV) program, the relationship between watching and shopping behaviors, and investigate factors influence motivation and behaviors. The subjects are cable TV audience. The method is by telephone to find audiences¡¦ response to the questionnaire. Through data collection and statistic analysis the results show that the major motivations for audiences to watch ¡§shopping channels¡¨ are ¡§needs to information¡¨, ¡§entertainments¡¨ and ¡§social activity¡¨. Among these three, ¡§ needs to information¡¨ has the most correspondent. For watching behavior¡¦s aspect, the frequency of receiving ¡§shopping channels¡¨ is low. There are only 4.1% of responding rate in ¡§often watch¡¨ and ¡§daily watch¡¨. The most frequent watching hour is between 19~23 o¡¦clock as the rest of the local people in receiving other programs. However, the watching time is within 30 minutes every time (89.8%). In respect of shopping behavior, there are 57.6% shares of respondent express they will ¡§compare with other stores¡¨ or ¡§to listen to other¡¦s opinion¡¨ before decisions of shopping. This category belongs to reasonable type of shoppers. For shopping frequency, there are about 70% respondents express ¡§never buy¡¨, and around 30% expresses having shopping experiences in cable TV ¡§shopping channel¡¨. Concerning the shopping products, there are mainly 6 categories in sequential. The kitchen utensils share the most (32.4%), followed by ¡§cleaning products¡¨, ¡§fitness products¡¨, ¡§weight lost, weight control or on diet products¡¨, ¡§cosmetics¡¦, and ¡§electronic products¡¨. The study also finds personal traits will influence the audiences¡¦ ¡§watching motivation¡¨ ¡§watching behavior¡¨ and ¡§shopping behavior¡¨. For educational background consideration, the study shows respondents with higher educational level have less watching time and shopping frequencies in ¡§shopping channel¡¨. Hence, this is not the major consuming group for ¡§shopping channel¡¨, in stead they tends to be looking for ¡§entertainments¡¨ purposes. For junior high school level of education have highest shopping frequency (47.5%). Hence ¡§needs to information¡¨ has most of the watching motivation (63.9%). In behaviors wise, students have the least watching frequency and time, belongs to the group of ¡§ listen to other¡¦s opinion, then make decisions¡¨ category. Housewives are the major consuming group for ¡§shopping channel¡¨. The research also finds the ¡§watch time¡¨ will influence the ¡§shopping motivation¡¨. The longer the watching hour is, the stronger the shopping motivation. Shoppers being ¡¨reasonable¡¦ has less watching hour. This means the ¡§watching frequency¡¨ and ¡§watching time¡¨ have positive relationship to shopping behaviors. ¡§Shopping channel¡¨ is one the most popular channels in USA. It is also developing in promising direction with market potential in Mainland China. In Taiwan, as individual system develops, there are many more ¡§shopping channels¡¨ available. This reflects the competing situation. However, while the writer looks for broad casting, or management institutions, there has no study at all focusing on this type of channel yet. This research takes initials of ¡§quantitize¡¨ consideration to provide some contributions in mediating behavior for audiences, system operators, and channel operators.

The current heated national debate over immigration policy is a reminder of the contentious relationship the United States historically has had with its immigrant population, especially those who enter the country without proper documentation. For example, a major issue confronting California voters in 1994 was Proposition 187, a plan to deny social services to the state’s undocumented immigrants, the vast majority of whom were nonwhite. In this study, I argue that this issue took place during an immigration “panic,” one of several that took place in the United States during the 20th century. In these “panics,” which also occurred in the 1930s, the 1950s and the 1970s, undocumented immigrants served as convenient scapegoats for larger social ills. A significant and under-researched aspect of these events was the role played by the major U. S. mainstream media in perpetuating this scapegoating process. The study takes an in-depth look at how the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times covered the 1994 debate over Proposition 187, which occurred during the most recent of these immigration panics. It concludes that these newspapers’ coverage of 187 was shaped by the discourse of California’s elite politicians (both liberal and conservative) that focused on the predominantly non-white population of undocumented immigrants as “the problem.” By framing the undocumented as deviant, this coverage helped perpetuate the elite “blame the victim” discourse that diverted public attention from other issues facing the state, such as the fact that California was enduring its most significant recession since the Great Depression. / text

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be classified as an isolated conflict. Today’s clashes were not triggered by a single event, but rather are as a result of thousands of years of violent and at times restrained disagreements about the rights of Jews, Muslims and other ethnic groups to the disputed land known collectively today as Israel and the Palestinian Territories. This study examines the media coverage of one event during the conflict, i.e. the withdrawal by Israeli settlers from the Gaza area. The study tracks coverage over ten weeks in the South African media context, specifically the Mail & Guardian, Cape Times and the Sunday Times – a media setting in itself highly diverse and compelling. Using a qualitative framing analysis as the central methodology, the study focused on six core frames in analysing all articles/reports relating to the Gaza withdrawal. In addition, the editors of the respective newspapers were interviewed to complement the textual analysis. The methodological approach addressed how each story was packaged and presented, and then questioned why certain frames dominated and others did not. The study found that conflict (a combination of violent and non-violent) was the dominant frame chosen. Consequences and Attribution of Responsibility were the next two most prominent frames. Both these frames were found to apportion blame to a particular side in presenting the news reports and when providing comment. Whilst all three newspapers argued that they practiced a balanced coverage, it was this perceived “balance” in using several different frames of presentation that neglected a key “historical” frame. This lack of historical context was one of the key results of the other frames being so dominant. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die konflik tussen Israel en Palestina kan nie gesien word as ’n geïsoleerde konflik nie. Die huidige konflik is nie veroorsaak deur ’n enkele gebeurtenis nie, maar spruit uit die voortslepende geweld tussen Jode, Moslems en ander etniese groepe wat reeds duisende jare lank duur, as gevolg van betwiste aansprake op die grondgebied gesamentlik bekend as Israel en die Palestynse grondgebied. Dié studie ondersoek die mediadekking van een gebeurtenis in die konflik, naamlik die onttrekking van Israeli setlaars in die Gaza-gebied. Die studie volg mediadekking oor tien weke deur drie Suid-Afrikaanse publikasies, Mail & Guardian, Cape Times en Sunday Times. Met behulp van kwalitatiewe raming-analise as die sentrale metodologie, konsentreer dié studie op ses rame in die analise van artikels, wat verband hou met die onttrekking uit die Gasastrook. Die navorsing word aangevul met onderhoude met die redakteurs van die koerante. Die metodologie is toegespits op die manier waarop die stories verpak en aangebied word, en bevraagteken waarom sekere raamwerke oorheers en ander van minder belang is. Die studie bevind dat Konflik (’n samestelling van geweldadige en nie-geweldadige konflik) die oorheersende raam was waarbinne artikels in dié tydperk aangebied is. Die Gevolge- en Toeskrywing van Verantwoordelikheid-rame kom ná konflik die meeste voor. By albei raamwerke word bevind dat skuld aan die een of ander kant toegeskryf word in die aanbiedeing van nuusverslae en wanneer kommentaar gelewer word. Hoewel al drie koerante volhou dat hulle gebalanseerde dekking aanbied, word ’n belangrike “historiese” raam in dié aanbieding verontagsaam as gevolg van die gebruik van verskeie rame om balans te bewerkstellig. Die gebrek aan ’n historiese konteks is een van die vernaamste gevolge van die oorheersing van die ander rame.