The purpose of this dissertation is to chart how the development of visual effects has changed popular cinema¡¯s vision of the real, producing the powerful reality effect. My investigation of the history of visual effects studies not only the industrial and economic context of visual effects, but also the aesthetic characteristics of the reality effect. In terms of methodology, this study employs a theoretical discourse which compares the parallels between visual effects and the discourse of modernity/postmodernity, utilizing close textual analysis to understand the symptomatic meanings of key texts. The transition in the techniques and meanings of creating visual effects reflects the cultural transformation from modernism to postmodernism. Visual effects have developed by adapting to the structural transformation of production systems and with the advance of technology. The studio system strongly controlled the classical Hollywood cinema by means of the modern economic production system of Fordism. Breakdown of Hollywood classicism as a production system gave rise to the creation of digital effects with the rise of the concept of the blockbuster and with the development of computer technologies. I argue that the characteristic feature of time-space compression, occurring in the process of the transition from Fordism to flexible accumulation, clearly reflects that of compression of multi-layered time and space, generated in the development process from analog visual effects, such as trick, rear and front projection, to the digital effects, such as rotoscoping and CGI animation. While the aesthetics of analog visual effects, without computing, can be compared to a Fordist production system, digital effects, which hugely rely on CGI manipulation, are examples of flexible accumulation. As a case study of the local resistance or alternative of Hollywood today, I examine the effects-oriented Korean nationalist blockbuster. The Korean nationalist blockbuster films have sought large-scale filmmaking and presentation of spectacular scenes, including heavy dependence on the use of special effects, which is frequently considered a Hollywood style. This paradoxical combination of peculiar Korean subjects and Hollywood style can be viewed as a form of cultural jujitsu, taking advantage of the force of the dominant culture in order to resist and subvert it.

The effects of geometry parameters of graded-index polymer optical fiber (GI-POF) components on the coupling efficiency and signal mixed proportion are studied in this thesis. Simulation and experimental approaches are used to investigate the effects of light sources on the coupling efficiency of misalighment, Y-couplers and V-groove couplers. Two different light sources are employed in this study: Laser diode (LD) and vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The optimum coupling angle and refractive index of filler in the Y-coupler are studied with a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. A good agreement between the simulation and the experiment results is shown in this work. Furthermore, two V-groove array arrangements, i.e. the parallel V-groove array and the skew V-groove array, are proposed in this study to mix multi-light-sources. The optimum parameters of V-groove are designed to achieve the highest coupling efficiency. The performances of different V-groove array arrangements have also been demonstrated for multi-signal mixing.

Inledning: Surdeg är idag en trend som fångats av många och de flesta bagerier ochdagligvarubutiker säljer bröd som kallas för surdegsbröd. Ett traditionellt surdegsbröd är ettbröd där surdegen används som enda hävningsmedel i brödet. Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka skillnader i sensoriska egenskaper, utifrån ettkonsumentperspektiv, samt GI-värde mellan surdegsbröd, jästbröd och bröd bakat på bådesurdeg och jäst. Material och metod: Metoderna som användes var två olika konsumenttester för att bestämmaskillnader mellan de tre bröden, och en in vitro-metod för att bestämma GI-värde. Resultat: Resultatet visade att konsumenter känner skillnad mellan surdegsbröd och jästbrödoch mellan surdegsbröd och bröd bakat på både surdeg och jäst men däremot inte mellanjästbröd och bröd bakat på både surdeg och jäst. Den syrliga smaken i surdegsbröd minskar ombrödet bakas på både surdeg och jäst. GI-mätningen genom in vitro-metoden visade att brödetbakat på både surdeg och jäst hade lägst GI medan surdegsbrödet hade högst. Slutsats: Ett bröd bakat på både surdeg och jäst är mer likt ett jästbröd än ett surdegsbröd. In vitro-metoden är inte den mest tillförlitliga för att undersöka skillnader i GI för justsurdegsbröd samtidigt som surdegsbrödets pH-värde kan ha varit för högt för att kunna sänkabrödets GI-värde. Inga slutsatser kunde därför dras från GI-mätningen. / Introduction: Sourdough is today a trend that has been caught by many and most bakeries andgrocery stores sell bread called “Sourdough bread”. Traditional sourdough bread is bread wherethe sourdough is used as only leavening agent. Purpose: The purpose was to examine differences in sensory attributes, from a consumerperspective, and glycemic index between sourdough bread, yeast bread and bread baked withboth sourdough and yeast. Material and Method: The methods used were two different consumer tests to determinedifferences between the three breads, and an in vitro-method for determining the glycemicindex. Result: The results showed that consumers can sense the difference between sourdough breadand yeast bread and between sourdough bread and bread baked with both sourdough and yeastbut not between yeast bread and bread baked with both sourdough and yeast. The sourish tasteof sourdough bread decreases if the bread is baked with both sourdough and yeast. Theglycemic index measurements by the in vitro-method showed that the bread baked with bothsourdough and yeast had the lowest glycemic index value whilst the sourdough bread had thehighest. Conclusion: Bread baked with both sourdough and yeast more resembles yeast bread thansourdough bread. The in vitro-method is not the most reliable for examining differences inglycemic index value for sourdough bread meanwhile the pH-value of the sourdough breadmay have been too high to be able to lower the glycemic value of the bread. No conclusionscould therefore be made from the glycemic index measurements.

Nous avons précédemment montré que l’activation du récepteur natriurétique de type C (NPR-C) par son agoniste spécifique, le C-ANP4-23, atténue l’augmentation de la prolifération des cellules du muscle lisse vasculaire (CMLV) induite par les peptides vasoactifs (Ang II, ET-1 et l’AVP). Puisque les CMLV provenant de rats spontanément hypertendus (SHR) montrent elles aussi un taux de prolifération plus élevé que leur contrôle, les CMLV de rats Wystar-Kyoto (WKY), nous avons entrepris cette étude dans le but de déterminer si C-ANP4-23 peut également diminuer le taux élevé de prolifération des CMLV de SHR et, le cas échéant déterminer les mécanismes responsables de cette réponse. Nos résultats montrent que le taux de prolifération des CMLV de SHR est significativement plus élevé que celui des CMLV de WKY et que la présence de C-ANP4-23 diminue de manière-dose dépendante le taux de prolifération des CMLV de SHR. En plus, l’expression des protéines de la phase G1 du cycle cellulaire, la cycline D1, la kinase dépendante des cyclines 2 (cdk2) et la forme phosphorylée de la protéine du rétinoblastome (pRb) est augmentée dans les CMLV de SHR comparativement aux CMLV de WKY et est atténué par C-ANP4-23. De plus, nos résultats montrent que les inhibiteurs du complexe cycline D1/cdk4 (NSC 625987) et cdk2 (NU2058) diminue le taux de prolifération élevé des CMLV de SHR. Les CMLV de SHR montrent également un taux de phosphorylation de ERK1/2 et d’AKT et est atténué par C-ANP4-23. De plus, le taux d’expression élevé des protéines cycline D1, cdk2 et pRb des CMLV de SHR est diminué par la toxine pertussis qui inactive la protéine Giα, le PD 98095, un inhibiteur de MEK de la voie des MAPK, du wortmannin, un inhibiteur de la PI3-K et finalement du losartan, un antagoniste du récepteur AT1. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’activation du récepteur NPR-C par C-ANP4-23 diminue le taux de prolifération élevé des CMLV de SHR par une régulation à la baisse des composantes du cycle cellulaire via l’inhibition de la protéine Giα et des voies signalétique MAP kinase/PI3-K. / We have previously shown that natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) activation by C-ANP4-23 decreased the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) induced by vasoactive peptides (Ang II, ET-1 and AVP). Since, VSMC from SHR also exhibit an enhanced proliferation as compared to VSMC from WKY, we undertook the present study to investigate if C-ANP4-23 could also attenuate the enhanced proliferation of VSMC from SHR and to further explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for this response. The proliferation of VSMC from SHR was significantly increased as compared to VSMC from WKY as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation and was attenuated by C-ANP4-23 in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRb) was enhanced in VSMC from SHR compared to WKY which was attenuated by C-ANP4-23. In addition, the inhibitor of cdk4/cyclinD1 (NSC 625987) and cdk2 (NU2058) also attenuated the enhanced proliferation of VSMC from SHR in a concentration-dependent manner. VSMC from SHR also exhibited the enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT as compared to WKY which was attenuated by C-ANP4-23.. Furthermore, the enhanced expression of cyclin D1, cdk2 and pRb in VSMC from SHR were also attenuated by pertussis toxin that inactivates Giα protein, PD 98095, a MEK kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, PI3K inhibitor as well as by losartan, an AT1 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that NPR-C activation attenuates the enhanced proliferation of VSMC from SHR which may be attributed to Giα /MAP kinase/PI3K-mediated inhibition of the expression of cell cycle components.

Thesis (D. Miss.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1994. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 190-198).

No Brasil, a procura dos setores agroindustriais pela certificação relacionada à origem geográfica vem aumentando significativamente. Neste estudo é apresentada uma revisão de literatura que versa sobre a qualidade em alimentos, em vinhos e em vinhos com indicação geográfica (IG), além de uma breve abordagem das indicações geográficas no Brasil e no mundo. Como método de trabalho, realizou-se uma survey entre consumidores integrantes de confrarias de vinhos brasileiras a fim de identificar a percepção dos mesmos com relação às indicações geográficas e melhorar a compreensão deste mecanismo como ferramenta estratégica na diferenciação de produtos. Após análise dos resultados obtidos, pode-se constatar, no estudo, que o consumidor confrade percebe a IG em vinhos como um fator de qualidade muito relacionado à tipicidade do produto, à região e ao país de origem, mas não é o fator que mais influencia na decisão de compra. Ainda, na percepção dos confrades brasileiros entrevistados, as IGs estrangeiras são mais confiáveis e mais conhecidas do que as IGs nacionais. Por fim, entende-se que os vinhos de IG devam ser apresentados como uma opção de vinho fino de alta qualidade, que inspire a confiança do consumidor e que traga consigo tipicidade, tradição e história da região produtora. / In Brazil, the search for the certification related to the geographical origin by agribusiness has been increasing significantly. In this paper, we present a revision of the literature which deals with food quality, wine and wine with Geographical Indication (GI), besides a brief approach on the Geographical Indications (GIs) in Brazil and over the world. As a method of work, we conducted a survey among consumers that were members of Brazilian Wine Associations in order to identify their perception towards the Geographical Indications (GIs) for a better comprehension of this device as a strategic tool in distinction of products. We can state in this study that the associate consumer sees the GI in wines as a quality agent very much related to the uniqueness of the product, to the region or country of origin, but not as the agent that will mostly influence in the final purchase decision. Still, according to the interviewed Brazilian associates’ perception, the foreign GIs are more reliable than the national ones and fewer consumers really know about the national GIs when compared to the foreign ones. We understand, after all, that wines with GI have to be presented as an option of high quality fine wine, the one which inspires the consumer’s confidence and brings out the uniqueness, tradition and history of the producing region.

No Brasil, a procura dos setores agroindustriais pela certificação relacionada à origem geográfica vem aumentando significativamente. Neste estudo é apresentada uma revisão de literatura que versa sobre a qualidade em alimentos, em vinhos e em vinhos com indicação geográfica (IG), além de uma breve abordagem das indicações geográficas no Brasil e no mundo. Como método de trabalho, realizou-se uma survey entre consumidores integrantes de confrarias de vinhos brasileiras a fim de identificar a percepção dos mesmos com relação às indicações geográficas e melhorar a compreensão deste mecanismo como ferramenta estratégica na diferenciação de produtos. Após análise dos resultados obtidos, pode-se constatar, no estudo, que o consumidor confrade percebe a IG em vinhos como um fator de qualidade muito relacionado à tipicidade do produto, à região e ao país de origem, mas não é o fator que mais influencia na decisão de compra. Ainda, na percepção dos confrades brasileiros entrevistados, as IGs estrangeiras são mais confiáveis e mais conhecidas do que as IGs nacionais. Por fim, entende-se que os vinhos de IG devam ser apresentados como uma opção de vinho fino de alta qualidade, que inspire a confiança do consumidor e que traga consigo tipicidade, tradição e história da região produtora. / In Brazil, the search for the certification related to the geographical origin by agribusiness has been increasing significantly. In this paper, we present a revision of the literature which deals with food quality, wine and wine with Geographical Indication (GI), besides a brief approach on the Geographical Indications (GIs) in Brazil and over the world. As a method of work, we conducted a survey among consumers that were members of Brazilian Wine Associations in order to identify their perception towards the Geographical Indications (GIs) for a better comprehension of this device as a strategic tool in distinction of products. We can state in this study that the associate consumer sees the GI in wines as a quality agent very much related to the uniqueness of the product, to the region or country of origin, but not as the agent that will mostly influence in the final purchase decision. Still, according to the interviewed Brazilian associates’ perception, the foreign GIs are more reliable than the national ones and fewer consumers really know about the national GIs when compared to the foreign ones. We understand, after all, that wines with GI have to be presented as an option of high quality fine wine, the one which inspires the consumer’s confidence and brings out the uniqueness, tradition and history of the producing region.

No Brasil, a procura dos setores agroindustriais pela certificação relacionada à origem geográfica vem aumentando significativamente. Neste estudo é apresentada uma revisão de literatura que versa sobre a qualidade em alimentos, em vinhos e em vinhos com indicação geográfica (IG), além de uma breve abordagem das indicações geográficas no Brasil e no mundo. Como método de trabalho, realizou-se uma survey entre consumidores integrantes de confrarias de vinhos brasileiras a fim de identificar a percepção dos mesmos com relação às indicações geográficas e melhorar a compreensão deste mecanismo como ferramenta estratégica na diferenciação de produtos. Após análise dos resultados obtidos, pode-se constatar, no estudo, que o consumidor confrade percebe a IG em vinhos como um fator de qualidade muito relacionado à tipicidade do produto, à região e ao país de origem, mas não é o fator que mais influencia na decisão de compra. Ainda, na percepção dos confrades brasileiros entrevistados, as IGs estrangeiras são mais confiáveis e mais conhecidas do que as IGs nacionais. Por fim, entende-se que os vinhos de IG devam ser apresentados como uma opção de vinho fino de alta qualidade, que inspire a confiança do consumidor e que traga consigo tipicidade, tradição e história da região produtora. / In Brazil, the search for the certification related to the geographical origin by agribusiness has been increasing significantly. In this paper, we present a revision of the literature which deals with food quality, wine and wine with Geographical Indication (GI), besides a brief approach on the Geographical Indications (GIs) in Brazil and over the world. As a method of work, we conducted a survey among consumers that were members of Brazilian Wine Associations in order to identify their perception towards the Geographical Indications (GIs) for a better comprehension of this device as a strategic tool in distinction of products. We can state in this study that the associate consumer sees the GI in wines as a quality agent very much related to the uniqueness of the product, to the region or country of origin, but not as the agent that will mostly influence in the final purchase decision. Still, according to the interviewed Brazilian associates’ perception, the foreign GIs are more reliable than the national ones and fewer consumers really know about the national GIs when compared to the foreign ones. We understand, after all, that wines with GI have to be presented as an option of high quality fine wine, the one which inspires the consumer’s confidence and brings out the uniqueness, tradition and history of the producing region.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an extremely common condition affecting approximately 10-15% of the population. Lower abdominal pain is a common feature and, if the patient also has gynaecological symptoms such as heavy periods, they may be referred to a gynaecologist especially when the bowel symptoms are relatively mild. In this setting a laparoscopy is often undertaken and endometriosis commonly identified as this condition affects up to 10% of women. Consequently pain is frequently attributed to the endometriosis even when it is relatively mild. However it is a common observation amongst gynaecologists that women with mild endometriosis often have severe symptoms which do not seem to respond well to treatment. This raises the possibility that their pain may not actually be due to endometriosis or is being amplified by the visceral hypersensitivity which is a characteristic feature of irritable bowel syndrome.Methods: 20 patients with minimal-mild endometriosis, 20 with moderate-severe endometriosis, 20 healthy volunteers (HV) who have had laparoscopy for sterilisation, 20 IBS patients and 20 patients with pain who were found to have a normal pelvis (on laparoscopy) were studied. Gastrointestinal, gynaecological, and noncolonic symptoms were recorded as well as demography, quality of life and psychological status. Visceral sensitivity was assessed in all patients and abdominal distension was studied in a sub group of 26 endometriosis patients and 20 IBS patients.Results: 20 (100%) of IBS patients, 13 (65%) of minimal-mild endometriosis patients, 11 (55%) of moderate-severe endometriosis patients, 17 (85%) of laparoscopic negative pain patients and no healthy volunteers fulfilled ROME III criteria for IBS. Patients with endometriosis and IBS had similar levels of visceral sensitivity which were significantly lower than that observed in controls (p=0·002, p<0·001).In particular, both minimal-mild and moderate-severe endometriosis patients had significantly lower (mean-95% CI) pain thresholds in mmHg 28.1(24.5, 31.6) and 28.8(24.9, 32.6) respectively compared with controls 39·5 (36·0, 43·0) p=0.001and p=0.002. However, with few exceptions, there were no distinguishing features between patients in terms of demography, symptomatology and distension.Conclusion: Clinically, it is very difficult to distinguish between endometriosis and IBS. However, visceral hypersensitivity appears to be a major component of endometriosis and may explain the problem of excessive pain especially in patients with mild disease offering a potential new target for treatment

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