Freie Universiẗat, Diss., 2006--Berlin. / Dateiformat: zip, Dateien im PDF-Format.

Techn. University, Diss., 2006--München.

Zugl.: Giessen, Universiẗat, Diss., 2008.

Universiẗat, Diss.--Frankfurt/M., 2000.

University, Diss., 2004--Würzburg.

Universiẗat, Diss., 2003--Bonn.

Freie Universiẗat, Diss., 2004--Berlin. / Dateiformat: zip, Dateien im PDF-Format.

abstract: During the first half of the last decade, there was a heated debate regarding what type of critical approach best suits the study of video games. Those who argued for approaches traditionally associated with narrative studies were primarily interested in video games as a new frontier for storytelling. The opposition claimed that video games are not systems for storytelling, and that applying literature and film theories to video games dismisses the interactive nature of video games as games. The argument was bitter, but ended abruptly with no clear results or consensus. Yet are narratology and ludology, the two proposed critical theories, so disparate that the use of one means the exclusion of the other? This paper suggests the possibility that narratology and ludology share more in common than critics have thus far realized. Both games and story share themes of conflict, and in focalizing on the antagonist of single-player video games it becomes possible to trace the development of conflict and how it functions in the video game medium. In analyzing antagonists and the conflict they embody, it becomes apparent that narratology and ludology are not so incompatible in their methodologies and assumptions. Finally, because video games themselves are a multifaceted medium, it is only appropriate that critics use multiple theoretical approaches in their analysis to broaden critical knowledge of how the medium functions. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. English 2012

Masters of Art / This study is based on the comparison of six Xhosa radio dramas spanning the period 1987 and 1988. The main objective is to investigate the strengths and weaknesses which manifest themselves in the dramas. The dramas are compared with respect to the six structural elements of drama viz., theme, plot, characterization, time and space, and the techniques of production. Themes are studied to establish whether there have been any development~ as far as the choice of themes is concerned in Xhosa radio dramas or whether there has been stagnation. Also given is a brief literary history of the themes broadcast in the Xhosa radio. The analysis of the plot structure is also done to identify the areas where they met the requirements successfully as well as where they failed to. The dramas are analysed according to the traditional approach ie. the exposition, complication, climax and the denouement With regard to characterization, the characters are classified according to the function they perform viz., the protagonist, antagonist, tritagonist and confidante. They are also analysed according to their individual nature ie. whether they are static or dynamic, mono- or multidimensional etc. Techniques that the playwrights have used in the portrayal of their characters are also examined. Toe aspects of time and space are also discussed, to investigate the artistic skills of the different dramatists in handling the time and space relations. Time is viewed with respect to the following: order, duration, frequency, tempo and the presentation of the time structures. Space is discussed with respect to the following: type, function, and the techniques of localisation. A critical comparison of the production techniques used by these different playwrights is explored, the focus being on the microphone, sound effects and music. The examination conducted in the study basically revealed that there is little development in Xhosa radio dramas. The themes that are broadcast are mainly for entertainment and consequently have little intellectual depth. There is also a lack of innovation which is shown by the repetition of the same themes.

Treatment of duodenal ulcer with the histamine H2-receptor antagonist, ranitidine, was assessed in a double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial in which patients were treated for two consecutive 4-week periods with ranitidine 150 mg b.i.d. or a placebo. All patients were allowed to take antacids as necessary for symptoms. Three hundred eighty-two patients were entered and 355 completed the first 4-week trial period. Ranitidine significantly improved healing at 2 weeks (37 versus 19%, p < 0.01) and at 4 weeks (73 versus 45%, p < 0.01), with better relief of pain and lower use of antacids. In the second 4-week trial period, 124 unhealed patients from the first 4 weeks were re-randomized. Ranitidine treatment resulted in a greater healing rate regardless of previous treatment (p < 0.05). In this trial, side effects were uncommon and not different between placebo and the tested drug. One case of hepatitis in the ranitidine treated group was presumed on the evidence to be non-A non-B. Ranitidine is effective and appears to be safe in the treatment of duodenal ulcer and its symptoms.