Abstract Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become a leading tool in the evaluation of the human brain function. In fMRI the activation induced blood oxygenation changes in the brain can be detected with an inherent blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast. Even small blood oxygen fluctuations in a resting brain can be depicted with the BOLD contrast. This thesis focuses on characterizing spontaneous oxygenation fluctuations of the brain by using BOLD fMRI. The effects of anesthetics on blood oxygen fluctuations were assessed in 38 children and 12 adults. The spatial distribution, frequency, synchrony, and statistical independence of the spontaneous oxygenation changes were analyzed. The role of imaging artifacts in the generation of BOLD signal fluctuations was investigated. The study aimed to develop and compare methods of detecting the nondeterministic oxygenation fluctuations of the brain. VLF BOLD signal fluctuation in the brain cortex is induced by physiological oscillation instead of imaging artifacts. This study shows for the first time how the power and synchrony of very low frequency (VLF <  0.05 Hz) blood oxygen fluctuation significantly increases after sedation. In deeper anesthesia, the VLF fluctuation overpowers other sources of blood oxygen variation as a sign of reduced blood flow and altered hemodynamic control. Regional hemodynamic mechanisms induce non-Gaussian features on the VLF blood oxygen fluctuation that can be depicted effectively with independent component analysis. Combined use of frequency, time, and spatial domain analysis guarantees a more complete picture of brain oxygenation fluctuations. The results of this thesis have a dualistic impact on fMRI research. First of all, VLF fluctuation alters the BOLD activation and connectivity results after sedation. Thus it has to be accounted for in the fMRI of sedated subjects. Secondly, by using the methods developed in this thesis, VLF fluctuation and other physiological BOLD signal sources can now be used in characterizing physiological alterations and pathology of the brain.

The landscape of UK Higher Education has witnessed significant change in recent years, characterised by rapidly increasing numbers, widening participation, and a diminished per capita resource base. Developmental and enhancement agenda have placed greater emphasis on skills for lifelong learning, and the independent learner has thus become a prominent theme. In architecture education these factors are imposing pressures on the traditional studio-based teaching model, one that forms a universal cornerstone of architecture schools. Coincidentally, the same period has seen this model, endorsed by Schon in the 1980s, increasingly challenged. It is argued that the confluence of these factors, presents an opportunity to develop studio-based pedagogy around the notion of the independent learner, renewing studio's relevance and currency. The aim of this thesis was developed from a literature review that was divided into four sections. The first summarised developments within UK higher education, including research into the First Year Experience, and placed architecture education within this context. The second examined the origins of contemporary studio-based teaching, whilst the third discussed the theoretical roots of its pedagogy. The final chapter critiqued teaching and learning practices through comparison with the theoretical intent, revealing a number of contradictory and counter-productive aspects. From this, the position that the development of the truly independent learner in the discipline of architecture requires the formulation of new inclusive pedagogic strategies that explicitly accommodate the individual in the studio-based learning process, and address identified shortcomings in existing studio-based teaching practices, was developed. The methodology adopted an ethnographic approach that gathered data through a longitudinal study of student perceptions, together with interviews with selected academics. Analysis of the findings, whilst replicating many phenomena raised by the literature, also revealed in detail a range of perceptions of learning, and wider student life, giving insight into key challenges. In considering these against the agendum of creating the independent learner, the importance of the peer group as a vehicle for studio-based learning and pastoral support, emerged strongly. A number of recommendations were thus made aimed at reconstructing the role of the tutor in the development of future strategies, as well as harnessing the unrealised potential of the peer group as an agent in embedding independent learning in design studio. The originality of this thesis resides in the fact that it constitutes a holistic study of teaching and learning practices in first year design studio. This is viewed against the background of rapid change in UK Higher Education. Pivotal to the study was the undertaking of a longitudinal survey of student perceptions, presenting a vitally different perspective from, say, that of Schon. From a holistic standpoint, the study creates the theoretical and evidential basis for the future development of key pedagogic strategies relating to design studio. This lays the foundation for the development of learning practices that foster learner independence within the context of design studio.

This essay studies stylistic differences as well as homage’s between four films produced in two different contexts, New Hollywood and alternative aesthetics today in America. This is done in order to answer the question how alternative Hollywood works against or with Classical Hollywood Cinema in cases like style and narrative. The Work is done by a theory of neoformalism and the definition made by them of Classical Hollywood Cinema. The essay finds small changes, although kind of important witch are mainly shown in editing and causal motivation. It’s found that, in these films Classical Hollywood Cinema still contributes with a huge part.

Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) often need to be taught independent living skills in order to reintegrate into community settings. This study examined the use of video modeling to teach culinary skills to three individuals with TBI. Video modeling is easily accessible, inexpensive, and not reliant on an additional person to directly teach skills. For all three participants, video modeling resulted in increases in cooking skills using a task analysis created for each food item prepared. For one participant, the skills maintained over two weeks and generalized to a novel food. For another participant video modeling was insufficient in reaching high skills levels therefore a second phase utilizing reinforcement and corrective feedback was implemented. This phase demonstrated with the additional component including reinforcement and corrective feedback, the third participant reached high skill levels.

M.Ed. (Media Science) / Aim of the study: To explore the theories, principles, new models and strategies of teaching and learning in order to provide an alternative to the traditional way of teaching and learning. To develop a multimedia programme in which individual learning is enhanced, using a Guided Self-study programme, being a combination of the Keller Plan and the Postlethwait system. 1.4 Method of investigation An exploration of literature as regards the use of particular media in individual learning. Studying media that will be used in drawing up an alternative programme in individual learning, utilizing a picture, a tape and study guide, bearing the models of learning in Chapter 2 in mind. 1.5 Structure of the study In the first chapter literature will be reviewed to gain an overview of the situation in Black education. Probable causes of the high failure rate in English will be examined through reports by examiners of English Second Language Higher Grade (1990a) and Motau (1990). Standard 7, 8 and 9 results will be studied to recognize the trend in performance especially in English literature, as this will be used in developing individualized programmes later in this study (see Appendix A and B). Bearing this knowledge in mind, the principles of learning by Mursell (1954) and Romiszowski's new model of learning will be examined in the light of the aims of teaching English, which emphasize the acquisition of certain skills and the use of the senses in teaching and learning (Compare paragraph 1.2.3). Romiszowski's model revives this awareness. Various learner-centred approaches will be highlighted in the second chapter (compare paragraph 2.5). The third chapter will concentrate on media. It should, however, be observed that media which have been thoroughly dealt with by other researchers in other studies will merely be alluded to. The author of this study acknowledges the views of previous researchers and would like to use only media that are affordable, and can easily be manipulated and duplicated. The fourth chapter will focus on a synthesis of the script and recommendations for further research. In Appendix A a multimedia programme for standard 9 is described. Appendix B contains a proposal for a multimedia programme for teaching English literature to standard 10. An attempt will be made to include Pottas's steps in drawing up a study guide, Romiszowski's new model (compare paragraph 1.3.5) and also skills, hierarchical frameworks and feedback models (compare paragraph 2.3). In this study the emphasis will be on individual learning. It will be endeavoured to use media and approaches by which individual learning is enhanced and which will motivate the learner to study independently.

M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies) / In his Introduction, Heunis (1984) describes Geomorphology as a "part-discipline of Geography that has as its field of study the landforms occurring on the Earth's surface". Geomorphology is a study of how these landforms are formed and the processes which have led to their formation. The content in Geomorphology has been extended to include new concepts. Selfinstruction is a program of study in which the pupil studies on his own. According to Swanevelder (1976:3) a model is a figure or diagram accompanied by a verbal explanation which clarifies the diagram. The problems in the teaching of Geomorphology will be stated, followed by the aim of the study and the program of study...

M.Ed. / Selfregulering is sinoniem met akademiese sukses en onafhanklike leer. Selfgereguleerde leerders aanvaar verantwoordelikheid vir hul eie leer en vertoon ’n groter mate van dieper leer as leerders wat nie selfgereguleer is nie. Selfregulering word ook beskou as die blywendste en hoogs erkende uitkoms van leer. Opvoeders het ’n deurslaggewende rol om te speel in die voorbereiding van leerders om op hul eie te leer en in die voorsiening van ’n onderrigomgewing wat die gebruik van selfregulerende prosesse sal kweek. Ondersteuning wat in kursusse ingebou is, kan leerders se selfregulerende praktyke versterk en hulle help om onafhanklike leerders te word. Ongelukkig is selfregulering ’n moeilike onderriguitkoms om te behaal en baie leerders wat by hoëronderwysinstellings inskryf, beskik nie oor die nodige selfreguleringsvaardighede om die eise van hul studie te hanteer nie. Die literatuur het aangedui dat baie min studies uitgevoer is om te ontleed wat opvoeders doen om selfregulering in hul kursusse te ondersteun. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal in watter mate ondersteuning gebied word vir selfregulering in ’n meestersgraadkursus in rekenaargesteunde onderwys. Die studie het begin met ’n verkenning van die begrip “selfregulering”. Selfregulerende leerstrategieë en -prosesse wat met akademiese sukses en onafhanklike leer verband hou, is geïdentifiseer en vir die ontwikkeling van ’n waarnemingskedule gebruik. Hierdie waarnemingskedule is as die primêre instrument gebruik om die aanwesigheid of afwesigheid van ondersteuning vir selfregulering in die genoemde kursus te bepaal. Fokusgroep- en sleutelinformantonderhoude is gevoer om die leerders se persepsies van die kursus en hoe hierdie persepsies hul leer beïnvloed, te bepaal. Die onderhoude is as aanvullend by die gestruktureerde waarnemingskedule gebruik en is beskou as ’n waardevolle hulpmiddel om die bevindings van die waarnemingskedule te bevestig. Die bevindings van die studie toon duidelik waar ondersteuning vir selfregulering aanwesig is en waar dit steeds ontbreek. Die ingeboude ondersteuning in die kursus bied die leerders ruim geleentheid om die meeste selfregulerende leerstrategieë, maar nie almal nie, aktief te gebruik. Daar is verder vasgestel dat die leerders se verhoogde betrokkenheid by selfregulering oor die algemeen hul onafhanklikheid, akademiese prestasie en leeroordrag skyn te verbeter.

The focus of this study is the underground music scene in Belgrade, Serbia. This work requires the exploration of varied cultural and market factors that have shaped the scene, resulting in its present form. The explored phenomenon is complex and achieving the necessary depth of analysis will involve the use of a wide set of theoretical sources and research methods. The fieldwork includes in-depth interviews, reflective accounts of longitudinal participant observation, data collected through email correspondence, and a large amount of documentary data. Data analysis will be articulated into a single methodology (examined in depth in Chapter 3).

Magister Philosophiae (Land and Agrarian Studies) - MPhil(LAS) / Over the past fifteen years, the South African government has extended various land, labour and social rights to farm workers, ranging from provisions of basic labour rights in 1993 to the minimum wage in 2003. Literature suggests that social relations on commercial farms do not remain static in the context of policy changes. This thesis sets out to understand the ways in which social relations have or have not changed, on one commercial farm in Limpopo province, South Africa, and to establish factors that impede or promote such change as well as the consequences for farm workers’ daily lives. Drawing from the interpretive and critical social science philosophical perspectives, the thesis adopts a qualitative research methodology that takes into consideration the experiences and perceptions of farm workers, farm managers, the farm owner and key informants from government institutions and civil society. At a theoretical level the study is informed by four paradigms namely: the materialist perspective; the total institution thesis; paternalism; and structuration theory. It considers three overlapping conceptual models of understanding relations between farm owners and farm workers namely the welfarist, workerist and transformative models. The paper argues that, in the past decade, the extension of farm labour and tenure laws to the farm sector has eroded the welfarist relations between the farm owner and farm workers. There is now a rise in workerist relations in a context of unequal power relations tilted in favour of the farm employer. The thesis concludes that in order to adequately understand land, labour and social relations, one has to consider the politics of land ownership as well as the politics of agricultural capitalist employment.

Magister Curationis - MCur / Self-directed learning (SDL) has become a focus in the past years due to the increase in the complexity and changes in the nursing profession development. Employing SDL methodologies has been advantageous to the learner nurses, since these methodologies are associated with moderate improvement in the knowledge and effective improvement in the affective and psychomotor domains. Despite the efforts to expose students to SDL, the challenge remains the lack of students‘ commitment to SDL during clinical activities in the skills laboratory. This lack of commitment may result from students‘ perceptions of SDL. Therefore, this study seeks to explore and describe the perceptions of first year learner nurses about self-directed learning activities in a skills laboratory at a school of nursing in the Western Cape. An exploratory descriptive quantitative design was used to answer the research question. All the first year learner nurses (N=336) pursuing a 4-year Bachelor Nursing Degree served as the target population and a sample of 168 respondents was selected by simple random sampling. A self-administered 5-point Likert scale questionnaire with an additional four open-ended questions was used to collect data for the study. Data was analysed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 software. Descriptive statistics were used to present frequencies, mean values, standard deviations, and the results were illustrated by means of tables. The Spearman correlation coefficient indicated the correlations between the 4 The findings revealed that most of the respondents positively perceived self-directed learning in the skills laboratory. However, it was also found that learners had challenges in relation to time management during the implementation of self-directed learning.