The U.S. has enjoyed global hegemonic power for over 70 years and even more so after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, some political scientists argue that it is descending and the evidence lies in the increasing power of China. An imbalance of power in the international structure has the ability to result in different outcomes. The realist theory suggests that a conflict between the U.S. and China is unavoidable, the liberal theory suggests that the economic dependency between the two makes conflict less possible, while the constructivist theory suggests that the outcome depends on the reaction of the leaders and social change. This study asks what the reaction of the President of the U.S. is to the rise of China to find out the result of this hegemonic power imbalance. By using discourse analysis, this study has analyzed the remarks of President Trump from the period of January 2017 to November 2017 in search of his reaction to the rise of China. The results of this study show that President Trump divides the world in two parts making the U.S. the protagonist and the rest of the world, including China, the antagonist in his discourse as his reaction. Due to this reaction, Trump takes nationalistic and protectionist measures against China.

Healing style (zhiyu xi 治愈系 ) media refers to the various products and services labelled with a promise to comfort consumers, and the media category has gradually become viewed as a way to cope with the omnipresent stress and anxiety of modern life. However, there are widespread criticisms of healing style media regarding creating the illusion of comfort for temporary relaxation to avoid facing and addressing the problems that cause discomfort. To counter such biased accusations this thesis examines two types of Chinese healing style media, fiction and anime, to address two main research questions: 1) Whether and how Chinese healing style media respond to the problems people face in real life? 2) How do Chinese healing style media present healing? The textual analyses of the novel Rushan, Gushu and Me reveal that Chinese healing style literature is not creating the illusion of comfort but focuses on the emotional relationship crisis suffered by Chinese people and offers practical solutions with four main steps that integrate the theory and practice of psychotherapy. In the presentation of healing, Chinese healing style writers are inclined to utilize some typical healing elements like character settings that resonate with most people and adequate sensory descriptions. Interpretations combined with screenshots of the anime film The Legend of Hei reinforce the argument that Chinese healing style is not just a comforting fictional world but very concerned with the living space and environmental crises caused by rapid urbanization and emphasizes the importance of reliable intimate relationships in coping with the crises in modern life. In The Legend of Hei, the use of healing elements like natural scenery and colors, resonant characters, delicious foods and positive attitudes all contribute to presenting healing and cater to the psychological needs of the target viewers. Through critically analyzing Chinese healing style fiction and anime, this thesis affirms that they are not escaping but actively presenting the collective crises and providing solutions. This study defends the rationality and effectiveness of Chinese healing style media as one of the many ways to cope with numerous pressures of modern life, thus contributing to a more comprehensive understanding and more appropriate application of Chinese healing style media. / Graduate

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Is Xi Jinping’s anticorruption campaign genuinely fighting corruption, or does it serve to expand Xi’s power? This “hunt for tigers and flies” is second to none in the history of the Communist Party of China. In the first 29 months of Xi’s tenure, 104 “tigers” – corrupt cadres at or above vice-provincial/ministerial level – have been confirmed of being brought down in the campaign, including 4 national leaders. It is Xi’s first sweep of his new broom and tells a story more than anticorruption itself. This thesis studies the early stage of Xi’s campaign against corruption from November 2012 to March 2015 from quantitative and network perspectives and illustrates the political dynamics that drive anticorruption in a period when the new autocrat consolidates his power. First, the thesis examines the temporal and geographical/functional distribution of tigers and concludes that it is a thorough campaign fueled by the autocrat’s increase of power. The process of Xi Jinping’s consolidating power pushes through anticorruption. Second, analysis of the tiger succession shows that Xi Jinping does not often apply outsider succession to fill the vacancies by his own loyalists. It suggests that the anticorruption campaign does not directly expand his power by personnel appointment. Third, this thesis draws a colleague network of the fallen tigers and uses centrality measurement to identify factional structure in the sociogram. Network analysis helps find out whether Xi Jinping takes advantage of the tiger hunt to strike down his enemies and, if he does, who he targets at. It turns out that there are factional groups that Xi cracks down, and the purge creates a favorable climate for Xi’s transcendence from a first-among-equals leader in power-sharing arrangements to an unchallengeable autocrat.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Mark 11:12-25 has been identified as an intercalation or sandwich structure (A-B-A) by many scholars as consisting of three linked episodes: the cursing of the fig tree (11:12- 14), the cleaning of the temple (11:15-19), and the withered fig tree (11:20-25). Using the function of intercalation, Mark 11:12-25 is then interpreted symbolically as a prophecy of the destruction of the temple. This interpretation, however, the researcher argues, is implausible. To substantiate this claim, the research aims to interpret Mark 11:12-25 in the light of narrative criticism and the oral aspect of Mark. Chapter 2 lays the basic foundation for the current research. This includes a brief history of the study of Mark, the historical interpretation of Mark 11:12-25, a comparison between Matthew and Mark, and of studies concerned with intercalation. Various differing opinions of intercalation are given that complicate our understanding of its function. The main goal of chapter 3 is to examine Mark 11:12-25 according to three narrative elements, namely setting, characters and events. On the grounds that every scene in Mark 11 is connected naturally in the time and space setting, it will be argued that Mark did not arrange the two stories in Mark 11:12-25 as intercalation with a theological purpose. Although some argue that the two stories do not fit the character of Jesus, on the contrary, it will be argued that both stories strengthens the authority and power of Jesus as it is depicted in the Gospel of Mark. If Jesus teaching is considered (11:20-25), then the symbolic interpretation of the prophecy of the destruction of the temple cannot be sustained. Chapter 4 deals with the oral aspect of Mark. Mark’s community were in all likelihood not readers, but hearers. Dewey offers some characteristics of oral narratives, particularly their additive and aggregative structures and their participatory character. These, she argues, helps the reader to interpret the various aspects of Mark that have divided both scholars and literary critics of the Gospel. Therefore, the fig tree story and the temple story will be examined in the light of the oral aspect of Mark. The final chapter will offer a summary of each chapter and a synthesized conclusion. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Om Markus 11:12-25 korrek te interpreteer is vir 'n lang tyd reeds ʼn debatteerbare saak. Die gedeelte word dikwels as 'n invoeging (A-B-A) geïdentifiseer wat uit drie verweefde episodes bestaan: die vloek van die vyeboom (11:12-14), die skoonmaak van die tempel (11:15-19), en die verdorde vyeboom (11:20-25). Deur klem te lê op die funksie van die invoeging, interpreteer baie geleerdes Markus 11:12-25 as 'n simboliese voorspelling van die vernietiging van die tempel. Hierdie interpretasie, argumenteer die navorser egter, is onhoudbaar. Om die stelling te staaf, poog die navorsing om Markus 11:12-25 in die lig van vertellingskritiek en die mondelinge aspek van Markus te lees. Hoofstuk 2 lê die basiese fondasie van die skripsie. Dit sluit ‘n kort geskiedenis in van die studie van Markus, die historiese interpretasie van Markus 11:12-25, ‘n vergelyking tussen Matteus en Markus, en 'n opsomming van studies gemoeid met invoegings. Die verskillende menings oor die funksie van invoegings, wat die verstaan van Markus 11:12- 25 bemoeilik sal ook bespreek word. Die hoofdoel van hoofstuk 3 is om Markus 11:12-25 te ondersoek volgens drie narratiewe elemente, naamlik die setting, die karakter en die gebeure daarin vervat. Op grond daarvan dat elke toneel in Markus 11 verbind is ten opsigte van tyd en ruimte word aangevoer word dat Markus nie die twee stories in Markus 11:12-25 as invoeging met 'n teologiese doel georden het nie. Alhoewel sommige argumenteer dat die twee stories nie by die karakter van Jesus pas nie, sal dit in teendeel aangevoer word naamlik dat beide stories die gesag en mag van Jesus, soos dit uitgebeeld word in die evangelie van Markus, versterk. Hoofstuk 4 handel oor die mondelinge dimensie van Markus. Markus se gemeenskap was in alle waarskynlikheid nie lesers nie, maar hoorders. In die verband bied Dewey 'n paar eienskappe van mondelinge vertelling aan, veral die toevoeging en kumulatiewe strukture en deelnemende karakter daarvan. Hierdie, betoog sy, help die leser om die verskillende aspekte van Markus wat kritici van die Evangelie verdeel, te interpreteer. Die laaste hoofstuk bestaan uit ‘n opsomming van elke hoofstuk en ‘n gesintetiseerde gevolgtrekking.

本論文之研究，旨在檢討戴震反對程朱思想的意義，以澄清戴震對程朱思想的誤解， 並評估戴震哲學的價值．參考文獻以戴震《原善》、《緒言》、《孟子私淑錄》、《 孟子字義疏證》以及《戴震文集》為主．（上述各項，係以里仁書局重新標校之《戴 震集》為底本）又後人之論述戴震思想及其反程朱之相關論著，亦儘量加以參考．研 究方法則就戴震批評程朱的三個層面：形上學、心性說、工夫論，分別處理．處理方 法是：首先說明戴震的批評意見，其次介紹戴震的思想，最後是對戴震的批評加以檢 討． 本論文全一冊，計十萬餘字，分六章十四節．第一章是緒論，說明本文的研動機、方 法與宗趣，並考察前人的研究意見，以及說明本文所依據的資料等．第二章介紹戴震 的思想淵源、哲學著作、治學精神，以及戴震與程朱的關係；其次，則是分析戴震反 程朱思想的背景，以作為本文的研究基礎．第三章說明戴震對程朱「理氣論」的批評 ，介紹戴震「理存於氣」的主張，並檢討他反對程朱「理氣論」之得失．第四章說明 戴震對程朱「心性說」的批評，介紹戴震「血氣心知」的主張，並檢討他反對程朱「 心性說」之得失．第五章說明戴震對程朱「工夫論」的批評，介紹戴震的「工夫論」 ，並檢討他反對桯朱「工夫論」之得失．第六章是結論，檢討戴震反程朱思想的意義 ，以及評估戴震哲學的價值． 透過本論文之研究，可知戴震對程朱思想的批評，是出於誤解；但無可平認，程朱思 想有其嚴峻的一面，因而有過度抑制情欲的流弊；戴震哲學的價值即來自對情欲的肯 定，而其缺失，卻也因此而產生．

研究目的：宋明理學家特別重視內聖成德之學，內聖之工夫即在對性命天道之體悟， 以達到聖人之境界。其工夫理論之其礎乃心性論。本文即試圖闡發朱熹所論心性學說 及據此而展開之工夫理論。 研究文獻：本文所採取之資料來鴻，乃朱子語類、朱文公文集（包括續集、別集）、 四書集註、朱子遺書及其他朱熹之著作，以此為主要研究文獻。 研究方法：此可分二點加以說明。一為堅持實事求是之原則，從朱熹之實際思想出發 ，對具體問題，進行具體分析。另一是朱熹晚年之定論。宋黎靖德編輯朱子語類時， 將每一人記錄之語錄的年代都保存下來，故本文據語類所記錄之年代，採取朱熹晚年 之定論，以說明朱熹心性學說各概念之具體涵義及其義理間架。 研究內容及研究結果：第一章，朱熹生平與著作。本章重在記敘其思想發展之歷程， 並對其各種著作之緣起及內容加以介紹。第二章，朱熹心性論之淵源。此章就北宋理 學家有關心性之學說，略加說明，從而了解朱熹如何吸收、綜合他們之系統。第章， 朱熹心性論之基礎－－理氣論。朱熹哲學以理與氣為中心展開，理與氣落實到人方面 ，便表現為性、心、情等人性問題。故此章就朱熹理氣論，加以申述，並藉此而了解 心、性、情之關係。第四章，朱熹論性。先敘述朱熹所論性之涵義，繼而分解其所分 天地之性與氣質之性之關係。第五章，朱熹論心及其與性、情之關係。先述朱熹所論 心之涵義，繼而論其所分道心與人心之關係。最後，以「心統性情」說疏解心、性、 情三者之關係。第六章，朱熹心性論下之工夫論。工夫理論之目的，乃將氣質之性或 人心恢復於天地之性或道心。欲達此目標，則必通過窮理與居敬工夫。故此章論述朱 熹對窮理與居敬工夫之觀點。第七章，結論。透過上文之研討，以衡定朱熹之心性論 在其整個哲學上之地位及其與儒學之關係。

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Innerhalb dieser Arbeit wurde ein kompetitiver ELISA etabliert und validiert, der eine Quantifizierung von Drogen im humanen Serum gemäß geltender Richtlinien ermöglicht. Der Nachweis erzielte zudem vergleichbare Ergebnisse zur Referenzmethode (Massenspektrometrie). Es wurden neun Drogen (Amphetamin, Methamphetamin, Methylenedioxymethamphetamin (MDMA), Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Phencyclidin (PCP), Methadon, Morphin, Kokain und Benzoylecgonin) und insgesamt 33 Antikörper verwendet. Alle Reagenzien durchliefen zunächst ein stringentes Validierungsverfahren. Nach Ausschluss möglicher Kreuzreaktivitäten konnten für drei Drogen (Methadon, MDMA und Benzoylecgonin) jeweils ein Antikörper bestimmt werden, der eine spezifische und sensitive Quantifizierung der Droge ermöglichte. Mit dem anti-MDMA Antikörper war zusätzlich der Nachweis in einem miniaturisierten Format (Microarray) möglich. Die verwendeten Antikörper zeigten keine Kreuzreaktivitäten mit anderen Drogen, Antikörpern, dem Probenmaterial oder anderen Versuchskomponenten. Weiterhin wurde kein Einfluss etwaiger Abbauprodukte im langfristig gelagerten Serum beobachtet. Durch die Ergebnisse wird gezeigt, dass ein immunologischer Nachweis von Drogenmissbrauch in Serum eine verlässliche Ergänzung zu bestehenden Methoden darstellt. Bei einer Übertragung des immunologischen Ansatzes auf ein Microarray ergibt sich zudem die Möglichkeit mehrere Drogen und Serumproben parallel nachzuweisen bzw. zu vermessen. Der höhere Probendurchsatz, der kompakte Versuchsaufbau und der geringere Verbrauch an Material gehört zu den größten Vorteilen dieser Technik. / A competitive ELISA was established, which enables a reliable quantification of serological drug samples according to current guidelines. The method achieved comparable results to the standard method mass spectrometry. In total nine drugs (amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), phencyclidine (PCP), methadone, morphine, cocaine and benzoylecgonine) and 33 antibodies were tested. All reagents had to pass through a stringent validation process. After exclusion of cross-reactivities antibodies against three drugs (methadone, MDMA, benzoylecgonine) were validated, which allowed a specific and sensitive quantification. Additionally, by using the anti-MDMA antibody a detection of MDMA in serum on microarray (miniaturized format) was achieved. No cross-reactivities were detected for the used antibodies with other drugs, antibodies, sample material or other assay components. Furthermore, no influence of degradation products in long-stored serum was recorded. The results prove, that immunoassays can be a reliable complement to existing methods. By adapting the immunological method to a microarray, the simultaneous quantification of various drugs and serum samples is enabled. The increased through-put, smaller footprint and the decreased consumption of reagents are some of the biggest advantages of this technique.

Die antioxidativen Enzyme Katalase (KAT), Glutathion-Peroxidase (GPX), Glutathion-Reduktase (GR), Superoxid-Dismutase (SOD) und Glutathion-S-Transferase (GST) sind an der intrazellulären Abwehr von oxidativem Stress beteiligt. Diverse Arbeitsgruppen fanden eine Hochregulation der antioxidativen Enzyme (AOEs) nach Exposition auf Ozon. In der vorliegenden Studie sollte an einem von Schierhorn und Mitarbeitern entwickelten Kulturmodell der nasalen Mukosa des Menschen untersucht werden, ob Aktivitätsänderungen der AOEs nach Ozonexposition in vitro zu verzeichnen sind. Zu diesem Zweck wurde die nasale Mukosa von 67 Patienten, die sich wegen nasaler Atmungsbehinderung einer Conchotomie unterzogen hatten, 24 Stunden bei 37 °C und 5% CO2 kultiviert und parallel unter den selben Bedingungen einer zusätzlichen Ozonkonzentration von 120 ppb ausgesetzt. Tendenzielle Aktivitätsänderungen durch Ozon ließen sich bei der GPX (13.8 auf 17.7 mU/mg Protein, 28% Steigerung) und der SOD (8.4 auf 9.7 U/mg Protein, 15% Steigerung) feststellen. Diese Aktivitätszunahmen wiesen jedoch keine Signifikanz auf. Aktivtätsänderungen bei KAT, GR und GST durch die Ozonexposition wurden nicht gefunden. Alter der Patienten, Geschlecht und Zigarettenrauchen nahmen den Ergebnissen dieser Studie nach keinen Einfluß auf die Regulation der AOEs nach Ozonexposition. Die Deletion der Glutathion-S-Transferase M1, die bei etwa 50% der mitteleuropäischen Bevölkerung zu finden ist, veränderte die Regulation der SOD nach in vitro Ozonexposition. Die GST-defizienten Patienten dieser Studie beantworteten die Ozonexposition mit einer signifikanten Hochregulation der SOD (p / Antioxidant enzymes as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) are thought the primary cellular defense mechanism against reactive oxygen species. Ozone, a highly reactive oxidant, is known to cause respiratory symptoms at ambiental doses. A number of studies have shown the mucosa of the respiratory tract to be the first target site of ozone toxicity. Other animal studies demonstrated an upregulation of mucosal antioxidant enzymes after ozone exposition. Concerning to the antioxidant defense mechanisms of the human nasal mucosa no studies are found so far. The purpose of this study was to determine if in vitro ozone exposure of human nasal mucosa results in changes in the activity of CAT, GPX, SOD, GST and glutathione reductase (GR). Nasal mucosa from 67 patients was cultivated in a specially designed in vitro organ culture and exposed to 120 ppb ozone for 24 hours. The results were compared with the histamin release which is known to be upregulated from human nasal mucosa after ozone exposition (60-200 ppb).