Being active in an online environment has become part of our day to day life. The protection of anonymity, invisibility and lack of authority on online platforms ranging from social media to gaming, allows people to act uninhibitedly in a setting often populated by foul language. Acting in an offensive manner while being online has been the subject of various studies, which range from behaviour in e-classrooms, to flaming used as means of entertainment, to cyber-bullying. This thesis examines the occurrences of offensive language usage in online gaming, specifically in World of Warcraft, and attempts to identify the triggers that lead to hostile communication within the game and to map the manner players act in flaming settings. A chat log analysis was used to comprise a list of most frequently utilized offensive words. A questionnaire was applied in order to collect data regarding players evaluation of these words, their mind set when in flaming situations and their reactions to and motivations of offensive behaviour. The research results show that, in flaming settings, players choose to either take a reactive stance and remove themselves from potentially offensive situations, or to act proactively and flame back or get the “flamers” punished. Furthermore, the results show that there are certain words, emotes and situations that are generally directly linked to volatile occurrences. In conclusion, gaming is no stranger to the shortcomings being online entails and a more balanced threshold for offensive behaviour acceptance must be re-established.

In recent years several high-profile building fires have highlighted shortcomings in the way we design for the complex interaction of structures and fire. These weaknesses appear to arise from a combination of gaps in knowledge of some of the more intricate aspects of compartment fire dynamics and from limitations in the engineering applications developed to date from hitherto established fundamentals. In particular the One Meridian Plaza Fire (1991), the Madrid Windsor Tower Fire (2005) and the Lakanal House Fire (2009) have emphasised the need for further study in the field of post-flashover compartment fires and the often consequent external fires that emerge from the compartment openings. External fire plumes impinge upon the structural façade, causing added structural stress, and often result in external fire spread and secondary ignition in upper level compartments. Hence a better understanding of the effect had by the internal compartment fire on the development of external flaming and the insult of the plume to its surroundings is beneficial for Structural Engineers, Fire Protection Engineers and Emergency Response Personnel alike. This research explores existing correlations, identifies their limitations and proposes a simplified methodology that links key parameters found to govern the internal post-flashover compartment fire to the heat flux potentially imposed on the exterior façade. Existing correlations addressing the effect of compartment fires on the insult to the external structure have largely been compiled by Law and are summarised in the form of a design manual for bare external structural steel [1]. Formulated in the 1970s, these correlations are based on the combined findings of several different experimental tests devised to investigate component phenomena of compartment fires and external flaming, forming an analytical model which is mostly empirical in nature. The methodology is convoluted and has several inherent assumptions which give rise to various limits of applicability however it is currently still used in structural-fire design, but best known as Annex B of both Eurocodes 1 and 3 [2,3]. As part of the present research, full-scale fire tests are conducted in situ, in a highly instrumented high-rise building, to provide high-resolution measurements of several internal compartment fire characteristics during a post-flashover fire in a modern, realistically-furnished compartment. External high resolution instrumentation in the main test also provides detailed measurements of the external flaming and distribution of heat flux incident on the façade. The tests provide realistic benchmark scenario data for comparing physical measurements against the analytical Law Model, the difference in which allows for an evaluation of the assumptions used in the model, which are often defined as ‘conservative’ in nature from the perspective of structural design. A detailed sensitivity study of the main input parameters in the Law Model allows for the identification of parameters of pivotal influence on the resultant heat flux incident on the plane of the external façade. Analysis of the Law Model and its underlying experimental basis also enables the identification of several limits of applicability of the model. Combined, these assessments show the analytical model can be stripped of unnecessary complexity and a Simplified Model is proposed with clear bounds of applicability. The proposed model describes the distribution of heat flux to the façade above a compartment opening and features only parameters of key importance, where low-dependency parameters are grouped into associated error bars. This results in a model that can be applied in the design of several building components that fall in the plane of the façade, such as structural elements, façade cladding and window arrangements. Its ease of implementation renders the model more widely accessible to different factions of the Fire Engineering Community. Furthermore, analysis of the Law Model identifies further parameters of potential importance that have, as of yet, not been addressed. A preliminary investigation conducted using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools shows that variation in some parameters – that are not individually accounted for in the Law Model – may influence the compartment fire conditions, the consequent external flaming and the resultant external heat exposure. Therefore, it is recommended that further comprehensive experimental research be conducted into the potential influence of the identified parameters.

External flaming from buildings occurs as a result of a large amount of fuel being available in the room of fire origin in comparison to the amount of ventilation provided. The size of the openings in a compartment affects the amount of oxygen available within the fire room, and hence the amount of combustion that can take place inside. Excess fuel that is not burnt within the room flows out of the opening and combusts upon reaching the oxygen in the air outside. It is in this situation that flames are seen projecting out of the window. Flames projecting from openings pose the threat of fire spread from the room of fire origin. This threat increases with the size of the flames. Thus a dependable method for predicting the size of flames projecting from openings is required. This research addresses the issue of predicting flame heights projecting from openings, based on the heat release rate of a fire. The results are based on laboratory experiments and are presented in non-dimensional form, allowing application to scenarios that have not been specifically tested. This work supports the findings of other researchers, with appropriate adjustments made to compensate for differing experimental approaches. This indicates that the relationships established between the non-dimensional heat release rate and flame height are formed from a sound underlying principle. An empirical relationship between the non-dimensional flame height and heat release rate of a fire is presented in a simplified format to enable ease of use. The temperatures attained, and other observations from the compartment fire experiments are also presented and discussed. These were found to have dependence on a number of factors, with relationships varying between the individual experiments. The widely-used computational fluid dynamics model Fire Dynamics Simulator, Version 4 (FDS), was found to currently be unreliable in modelling the experimental scenarios. The results obtained were unrealistic and bore minimal resemblance to the experimental results, with extensive computational simulation time. The ability of the programme to model the compartment fire scenario requires further investigation to determine whether a finer grid resolution may improve results, or whether it is simply not able to model combustion processes involved at this stage.

Three major occurrences in recent years have emphasized a need for new data concerning reservoir-based recreation patterns. These occurrences were: (1) the increased rate of construction of new, large reservoirs by federal agencies; (2) the increasing demand for recreation space and fishing water; and (3) the establishment of large national recreation areas around federal reservoirs.

<p>The aim of this study is to investigate how language is used, online, in a condescending way in order to make the recipient feel belittled. The research questions sought to find out what kind of linguistic strategies are used online in order to make language function in a derogatory way as well as the linguistic reactions these strategies evoke in the recipients. How this derogatory usage can be met by using specific linguistic strategies was also explored.</p><p>The study was conducted by performing qualitative discourse analysis based on the theoretical framework of Culpeper’s (1996) impoliteness theory. The data consisted of excerpts from four different threads in online discussion forums. The results indicate that there are several ways to insult someone, and that sarcasm, in particular, is heavily utilized in order to make language function in a derogatory manner.</p><p>The conclusion of the study is that phenomena such as the flouting of maxims, face-threatening acts, impoliteness strategies and flaming are all utilized when trying to belittle someone. All these linguistic strategies performed with the intention to insult people have proved to have a negative affect on people who are exposed to them. This affect can be detected through the linguistic reactions they rendered, for example: counter-attacks with insults of their own and refuting the insults.</p><p>The present study contributes to enlightening linguistic strategies which are being used in a derogatory way and as such might function to raise awareness of the power invested in language.</p>

M.A. / This particular historical-intertextual study that delves into the life and work of the empress Theodora, wife of Justinian I, have as its fundamental source the testimony of the historian Procopius of Caesarea, contemporary of this “Augusta”. Procopius’ main information is contained in the Anekdota or Secret History, a work generally acknowledged by historians and scholars as one of slander. Nevertheless, it is believed to be the most important source of information of Theodora’s controversial and eventful life. The purpose of this study is to examine The Treatment of Theodora, empress of Byzantium. We have selected the works of five modern writers, namely Theodora by the French historian-byzantinist C. Diehl, Theodora Augusta by novelist K. Theocharous, Theodora by the Italian historian P. Cezaretti, Theodora by French novelist Guy Rachet and Flaming Purple by the historical writer G. Roussos. Our research has examined whether these above-mentioned biographers of Theodora have brought to light new and important explanations. These, compared to older or more recent historical documentation, have made it possible to collect as much ‘data’ as possible on Theodora and, by comparing this ‘data’, convey the best appreciation possible about the ‘disputed’ and ‘multifarious’ personality of this empress.

The aim of this study is to investigate how language is used, online, in a condescending way in order to make the recipient feel belittled. The research questions sought to find out what kind of linguistic strategies are used online in order to make language function in a derogatory way as well as the linguistic reactions these strategies evoke in the recipients. How this derogatory usage can be met by using specific linguistic strategies was also explored. The study was conducted by performing qualitative discourse analysis based on the theoretical framework of Culpeper’s (1996) impoliteness theory. The data consisted of excerpts from four different threads in online discussion forums. The results indicate that there are several ways to insult someone, and that sarcasm, in particular, is heavily utilized in order to make language function in a derogatory manner. The conclusion of the study is that phenomena such as the flouting of maxims, face-threatening acts, impoliteness strategies and flaming are all utilized when trying to belittle someone. All these linguistic strategies performed with the intention to insult people have proved to have a negative affect on people who are exposed to them. This affect can be detected through the linguistic reactions they rendered, for example: counter-attacks with insults of their own and refuting the insults. The present study contributes to enlightening linguistic strategies which are being used in a derogatory way and as such might function to raise awareness of the power invested in language.

Ecological restoration of rangelands using wild-collected seeds can be challenging due to low seed quality, inconvenient seed anatomy, and poor plant establishment. In North America, the half-shrub winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) is a valuable protein-rich forage for wildlife and livestock. Seeds of this species are contained in one-seeded fruits enclosed in four fluffy, silky bracts. While the seeds can be removed from the bracts, it is not recommended as the bracts are thought to help protect the seed and aid in germination and seedling growth. However, bracts of winterfat make it difficult to incorporate this species within a seed mix because it prevents the seed from flowing through mechanized seeders. The anatomy of winterfat fruit also makes it difficult to treat this species with external seed coating materials that may aid in direct seeding efforts. We tested the use of a recently developed flash flaming technique in combination with seed coating to improve the flowability of winterfat fruits. Our results indicate that flash flaming can reduce the appendages on winterfat fruits, which decreased fruit volume by up to 46% without impacting seed germination. Flash flaming also makes it possible to incorporate a polymer seed coating to the exterior of winterfat fruits. We found that flash flaming combined with seed coating improved the flowability of winterfat fruits, as measured with standard laboratory tests, and by delivering fruits through a broadcast seeder and a rangeland drill. These results indicate that flash flaming plus seed coating provides a new technology that will allow for the treating and planting of winterfat on degraded rangelands.

In this thesis, I examined the lives of my great-grandparents, Oscar and Emma Swett. Oscar began a homestead in the Uinta Mountains in 1909, which he successfully ran for nearly sixty years. My grandmother was born on the ranch, and my own father spent much of his time there. I look at how land policy changed from encouraging ranching and farming in the early 1900's to tourism and recreation in the 1960's, with the coming of the Flaming Gorge Dam. The lives of my great-grandparents and their children were shaped by these changes and they felt the consequences of the shifting values of the Forest Service and government. I used many primary documents in my research, from interviews given by the Swett children to photographs and documents. I also drew from literature and research by other western authors, such as Wallace Stegner, Mary Clearman Blew, and Steve Trimble. I connected my personal and family stories and memories with the larger framework of land policy in the West and the culture of ranching families similar to my own family. This enabled me to show how land policy affected many individuals and families on a personal level, looking through the prism of my own family and experiences.

Investigations to study (1) the species composition and distribution of Green River fishes between Flaming Gorge Dam and Ouray, Utah and (2) the ecology and life history of selected native species (Colorado squafish, Ptychocheilus lucius; Colorad chub, Gila robusta; bluehead sucker, Pantosteus delphinus; and humpback sucker, Xyrauchen texanus) in Dinosaur National Monument were conducted from May, 1964, to October, 1966. A total of 23,735 fish consisting of 9 indigenous and 11 exotic species, were taken in 639 collections by electrofishing gear, gill nets, seines, and fry gear. Flaming Gorge Dam has caused a major change in the ecology of the downstream Green River by alteration of seasonal flow and water temperature patterns as far as the mouth of the Yampa River, 65 miles below the dam. As a result, native fish populations particularly in the first 26 miles below the dam, have been largely replaced by introduced rainbow and brown trout (Salmo gairdneri and S. trutta). Below the Yampa River mouth, fish populations were similar to those reported here during the pre-impoundment years. Age and growth determinations were made from scales from 167 Colorado squawfish and 333 Colorado chubs. Both species grew slower in the years after dam closure (1963-1965) than before (1955-1962). The bonytail form of the Colorado chub grew slightly faster than the roundtail form. Length-frequency analyses of young Colorado squawfish, Colorado chubs, and bluehead suckers described seasonal growth of the first three year classes and provided evidence that these species reproduced successfully in Dinosaur National Monument every year since impoundment. During years of high summer discharge from the dam with resultant lower water temperatures (1964 and 1966), no reproduction of any native fishes was found above the mouth of the Yampa River. No juvenile humpback suckers were collected during the study. The roundtail and bonytail forms of the Colorado chub had significantly different length-weight relationships. Squawfish over 200 mm total length were entirely piscivorous, while shorter squawfish consumed microcrustaceans and aquatic insects. The diet of the Colorado chub consisted largely of aquatic and terrestrial insects.