This creative project will culminate in a show of twenty-five pieces of metalwork, both wearable and sculptural, using as source material the rich tradition the floral imagery found in Islamic arts. Specifically the pieces will be based on the art of the Persian Gulf area. sources will be floral images as expressed in architectural elements, fabric, tiles, and other related arts or crafts. / Department of Art

In the earlier stages of globalization, global chain hotel design did not have specific concerns about local culture and host country. In the last two decades, these hotels became more respectful towards the local culture by integrating local cultural elements and construction techniques in their design. The reasons for this shift is directly linked with globalization, increased competition between cities, fierce competition between urban hotels, and changing demands of the global travelers.Among the hotels integrating local cultural values, there is a specific niche that has established their businesses in historical landmark buildings. This thesis will demonstrate the presence of this specific hotel niche through case studies conducted in London and Istanbul. It will examine how the integration of local cultural values may improve the competiveness of global chain hotels. The focus will be on integration of historic cultural values. / Department of Architecture

[Abstract]: A rise in the rate of overweight and obesity in children coupled with an increasing availability and consumption of sweet drinks raises questions about the place or importance of plain water in a child’s overall nutritional intake. In terms of influencing a child’s nutritional behaviour, teachers and parents play a crucial role in educating, promoting and encouraging healthy behaviour whether that be in the home or school environment. Schools are seen to be an important setting for health promotion and as such, factors that promote healthy behaviour or barriers against it should be explored.The primary aims of this study were to 1) investigate parents’ and teachers’ beliefs about water consumption by children whilst at school 2) investigate how parents and teachers perceive themselves as role-models in relation to water consumption in children; and 3) investigate parents’ and teachers’ self-reported behaviour in relation to their promotion of water consumption. This qualitative study was based upon Social Learning Theory and used an exploratory qualitative descriptive design. Using Pender’s Health Promotion Model as a framework, data were collected from 9 participants in total (including 6 parents and 3 teachers). This included semi-structured interviews and a 24-hr Fluid Recall Form. Participants were from one regional primary state school.Thematic analysis was conducted from the data, and 9 major themes were identified. The results indicated that parents and teachers rated a high importance of their child / student drinking water. Parents and teachers were unsure as to how much water their child / student was drinking each day, nor how much was recommended for them to drink. Some parents and teachers were more active in encouraging and promoting water as a choice of drink, particularly in hotter weather or when children were active playing sport or doing Physical Education Classes. Parents and teachers reported a range of strategies that they used to encourage children to drink water and in the school setting, allowing children to have easy access to a water bottle in the classroom was seen as being positive. Some teachers were unsure what roles they could play in the school to promote water (if it was perceived as part of their role at all). In terms of perceptions of the current school water drinking facilities, many parents and teachers held negative views in terms of hygiene, location and maintenance.Establishing a habit of drinking plain water was expressed as a difficult task by some participants, citing problems with remembering and taste preferences. Results from the 24-hr Fluid Recall Form supported the fact that many parents drank only small amounts of plain water. Those parents and teachers who did drink more water participated in regular exercise, and therefore their higher water consumption may be as a result of this.A small number of parents made a connection between what fluids they consumed as a child and what they encourage their child to drink now. Some teachers hoped that by drinking water in front of children in the classroom that this might have a positive influence on the students.It was concluded that the issue of water consumption in children is worthy of further investigation. There may be opportunities within the school to adopt a ‘whole of school’ approach whereby parents, teachers, students and the broader community work towards establishing and sustaining an environment which continues to promote healthy water drinking behaviours.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 253-289).

Les travaux menés dans cette thèse sont en lien avec les inégalités fonctionnelles et géométriques, dans le cadre continu et discret. En particulier, nous exploitons le principe de monotonie le long du flot de la chaleur, dont les conséquences ont été nombreuses en analyse, géométrie et probabilité depuis les travaux fondateurs de Bakry et Émery. Plus récemment, ce principe a été utilisé pour répondre à des questions d'informatiques théoriques via l'analyse des fonctions booléennes. Dans une première partie, nous présentons diverses inégalités à intégrales multiples et inégalités de type géométriques obtenues par monotonie le long du semi-groupe de la chaleur. Nous caractérisons, par la plupart d'entre elles, les cas d'égalités et mettons en évidence des phénomènes de rigidité dans le cas de variétés riemanniennes. En particulier nous étudions la rigidité pour le théorème de comparaison isopérimétrique de Bakry-Ledoux en utilisant leur preuve par flot de la chaleur. Cette preuve a été exploitée par Mossel et Neeman pour obtenir un résultat de stabilité robuste dans le cas gaussien. Nous reprenons cette preuve et nous la simplifions, en particulier en éliminant la plupart des arguments spécifiques au cas gaussien. Cela laisse espoir d'obtenir une version quantitative pour des mesures log-concaves plus générales ou sur les sphères euclidiennes de grandes dimensions. La deuxième partie est consacrée à l'analyse des fonctions booléennes. Le résultat principal de cette partie est l'extension d'un critère dû à Benjamini, Kalai et Schramm liant sensibilité au bruit et influences d'une fonction booléenne. Ce critère a été récemment étendu sur l'espace gaussien à travers le concept d'influences géométriques. En particulier, nous donnons une nouvelle preuve quantitative de ce résultat, basée sur des arguments de semi-groupes. Le résultat ainsi obtenu s'étend à des modèles de graphes de Schreier plus généraux que le cube ainsi qu'à des modèles continus autre que l'espace gaussien. En particulier, la version quantitative sur les tranches du cube booléen a des conséquences en théorie de la percolation. Dans une dernier chapitre, nous mettons en lien ce critère quantitatif pour donner une généralisation à des graphes produits du théorème "Junta" de Friedgut. / The general topic of this Ph.D thesis is functional and geometrical inequalities, in both continuous and discrete setting. In particular, we make use of the monotone property along the heat flow, which had led to important developments in analysis, geometry and probability since the pioneer work of Bakry and Émery. More recently, this principle has been used in the analysis of Boolean functions in view of application in theoretical computer science. In the first part, we present some multiple integrals inequalities and geometric type inequalities obtained by monotonicity along the heat flow. We characterize, for most of them, equality cases and we put forward rigidity phenomenon in the setting of Riemannian manifolds. In particular, we study rigidity for the Bakry-Ledoux isoperimetric comparison theorem using their semigroup proof. This proof has been exploited by Mossel and Neeman to derive robust dimension free bounds for the Gaussian isoperimetry. We simplify their proof an in particular remove most of Gaussian-specific parts. This gives hope to derive robust estimates to more general log-concave measures or on high dimensional Euclidean spheres. The second part is devoted to analysis of Boolean functions. The principal contribution in this field is the extension of a criterion of Benjamini, Kalai and Schramm linking noise sensitivity and influences of a Boolean function. Such a criterion has been extended recently in continuous setting via the concept of geometric influence. We give a new, semigroup, proof of a quantitative version of it previously established in the discrete cube and in the Gaussian space. This quantitative version generalizes both to various models of Schreier graphs and more general continuous spaces. In particular, the quantitative version over the slices of the Boolean cube has consequences in percolation theory. In the last chapter, we link this quantitative criterion with a generalization over graph products of the "Junta" theorem of Friedgut.

This thesis analyses the different levels at which China’s presence in Namibia affects Namibia’s domestic politics and foreign policy from a constructivist viewpoint. Constructivist theory is used to examine the different perceptions of the Chinese in Namibia and how these inform Namibian politics and Sino-Namibian relations. These perceptions are formed at different levels of society in formal and informal relations, state-to-state, state-to-business,business-to-business and individual-to-group relations. The way in which perceptions of Chinese involvement in Namibia at the grassroots level of society differ from those at the top increasingly has an effect on domestic Namibian politics and, as such, Sino-Namibian relations. This identifies official and non-official perceptions of China’s political, economic and social presence to determine the effects of grassroots on China vis-à-vis official perceptions in Namibian politics and the effects of grassroots views on Namibian politics and on official views and state behaviour towards China and China’s presence in the country.

This empirical study investigated how interpersonal influences (normative receptiveness and informative influences) and impersonal influences differ across different population groups in terms of status consumption of clothing brands. The theory of consumer socialisation directed the study and was used to describe consumers’ susceptibility to interpersonal and impersonal influences by encompassing its two major components: the learning processes and socialisation agents. The interpersonal influences, normative receptiveness and informative influences together with the impersonal influences were included in the conceptual framework and hypotheses. The theory of consumer socialisation was selected as it provides a suitable framework to explain how consumers are socialised over time through interpersonal and impersonal agents so that they come to prefer or purchase certain products such as status clothing brands. A survey research design was followed. Data were collected with a structured self-administered questionnaire, developed from existing scales. Non-probability sampling techniques, convenience and quota sampling were used to include an appropriate sample size. Trained field workers distributed the questionnaire to the target population in suburbs in Tshwane. A total of 1014 (N=1014) usable questionnaires were completed. The sample consisted of males and females living in Tshwane, 19 years and older from all population groups. The data were captured and coded and then analysed with the help of a statistician who made use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The EFA retained three factors: normative receptiveness, impersonal influences and informative influences. The results from the CFA confirmed that the measurement model fit was good. Subsequently, GLMs were performed to assess if differences exist in interpersonal and impersonal influences across the different population groups’ status consumption of clothing brands. The findings showed that normative receptiveness, informative and impersonal influences had a statistically significant effect on the status consumption of clothing brands. From the three independent factors, normative receptiveness had the greatest effect on status consumption and showed significant difference across population groups when factoring in gender, education, age and income into the GLM models. Impersonal influences showed minor significant differences across population groups’ status consumption when gender was considered in the GLM model. Even though informative influences affected status consumption, no significant differences could be found across the different population groups when factoring in demographic factors. Findings can be useful for retailers and marketers to direct their market segmentation strategies and target consumers who would engage in status consumption. Normative receptiveness elements such as word of mouth from reference groups and social comparison in advertisements can add value to clothing brands’ campaigns. / Hierdie empiriese studie ondersoek of invloed interpersoonlike invloede (normatiewe ontvanklikheid en informasie invloede) en onpersoonlike invloede verskil oor verskillende bevolkingsgroepe in heem in terme van statusverbruik van klere-handelsmerke. Verbruikersosialiserings teorie het die studie gerig en is gebruik om verbruikers se ontvanklikheid vir interpersoonlike en onpersoonlike invloede te beskryf, deur die twee hoofkomponente die leerprosesse en sosialisering agente te inkorporeer. Die interpersoonlike invloede, normatiewe en informatiewe invloede, saam met die onpersoonlike invloede is in die konseptuele raamwerk en hipoteses ingesluit. Die teorie verbruikersosialisering is gekies aangesien dit 'n geskikte raamwerk verskaf om te verduidelik hoe verbruikers deur interpersoonlike en onpersoonlike agente gesosialiseer word met verloop van tyd om bepaalde produkte te verkies of te koop soos status klere-handelsmerke. ’n Opname navorsingsontwerp is gevolg. Data is met behulp van 'n gestruktureerde selfgeadministreerde vraelys ingesamel. Die vraelys is ontwikkel uit bestaande skale. Niewaarskynlikheid steekproeftegnieke, gerief en kwota, is gebruik om 'n geskikte grootte steekproef in te sluit. Opgeleide veldwerkers het die vraelys aan die teikenpopulasie in voorstede van Tshwane versprei. ‘n Totaal van 1014 (N = 1014) bruikbare vraelyste is voltooi. Die steekproef het uit mans en vroue, 19 jaar en ouer van alle bevolkingsgroepe, woonagtig in Tshwane, bestaan. Data is vasgelê en gekodeer waarna analises/ontledings met behulp van 'n statistikus gedoen is. Die statistikus het van beskrywende en inferensiële statistiek gebruik gemaak. Die EFA het drie faktore: behou naamlik, normatiewe ontvanklikheid, onpersoonlike invloede en informatiewe invloede. Die resultate van die CFA bevestig dat die meting model se passing goed was. Daarna is GLMs uitgevoer om te bepaal of daar verskille in interpersoonlike en onpersoonlike invloede oor die verskillende bevolkingsgroepe se statusverbruik van klerehandelsmerke bestaan. Die bevindinge het getoon dat normatiewe ontvanklikheid, informatiewe en onpersoonlike invloede 'n statisties beduidende effek op die statusverbruik van klere-handelsmerke gehad het. Van die drie onafhanklike faktore, het normatiewe ontvanklikheid die grootste invloed op statusverbruik gehad en toon ook beduidende verskil oor bevolkingsgroepe wanneer geslag, onderwys, ouderdom en inkomste in die GLM modelle ingebring is. Onpersoonlike invloede toon geringe beduidende verskille oor bevolkingsgroepe se statusverbruik wanneer geslag in die GLM model ingebring is. Selfs al het informatiewe invloede ‘n invloed op verskillende bevolkingsgroepe se statusverbruik was daar geen betekenisvolle verskille gevind wanneer demografiese faktore ingesluit is nie. Bevindinge kan nuttig wees vir kleinhandelaars en bemarkers om hul marksegmentasie strategieë te rig en om spesifieke teikenverbruikers wat statusverbruikers is te bereik. Normatiewe ontvanklikheid elemente soos mondelingse oordrag van inligting deur verwysingsgroepe en sosiale vergelyking in advertensies kan waarde tot klere handelsmerke veldtogte voeg. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Consumer Science / MConsumer Science / Unrestricted

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This creative project is a study of cultural awareness in architecture. The hypothesis states that architecture is one of many cultural manifestations in a society. One seeking contemporary architecture in a society should explore the idea of contemporary culture in that society. This study aims to point out the relationship of living patterns and living spaces (culture and architecture). Living patterns are influenced by their own cultures and, at the same time, the characteristics of living spaces reflect the aspects of living patterns. To explore contemporary living spaces, cultural issues must be considered.However, culture is dynamic. It is changed by reasons of time, place and people. Even though the tradional cultures in a society continuingly permeate to the next generations, some of them disappear as time, place or people change. Therefore, to study the issue of culture in contemporary society, traditional and new cultures are reckoned with as contemporary families adapt both cultures into their lifestyles.While Thai society has maintained its own unique culture, recently globalization has brought influences of Western ideas into Thailand. These influences are effecting Thai culture and bearing on how housing responds to a changing society.The work is divided into two parts, research and design. To explore the deeper meaning of contemporary living spaces, the research focuses on the importannce of culture to the characteristics of living spaces. It analyzes cultural and social changes that have influenced contemporary Thai families. This cultural analyses confirms that the meaning and design of contemporary living spaces are directly influenced by cultural adjustments.To support the hypothesis and research, a housing project for contemporary Thai families is proposed. It is a schematic design that incorporates the cultural analyses into the design process. The design is a model for organizing cultural information into the design of living spaces. / Department of Architecture