This thesis describes a pilot study for a new cultural anthropology initiative at Team One, a US-based premium and luxury brand advertising agency. In this study, I explore the role and meaning of technology among a population of affluent individuals in Southern California through diaries and ethnographic interviews conducted in their homes. Using schema theory and design anthropology to inform my theoretical approach, I discuss socioeconomic and cultural factors that shape these participants' notions of affluence and influence their presentation of self through an examination of their technology and proudest possessions. I put forward a theory of conspicuous achievement as a way to describe how the affluent use technology to espouse a merit-based model of affluence. Through this model of affluence, participants strive to align themselves to the virtuous middle-class while ascribing moral value to their consumption practices. Lastly, I provide a typology of meaningful technology artifacts in the affluent home that describes the roles of their most used tech devices and how each type supports conspicuous achievement.

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit verschiedenen Aspekten der Finanzmathematik. Ein erweitertes Libor Markt Modell wird betrachtet, welches genug Flexibilität bietet, um akkurat an Caplets und Swaptions zu kalibrieren. Weiterhin wird die Bewertung komplexerer Finanzderivate, zum Beispiel durch Simulation, behandelt. In hohen Dimensionen können solche Simulationen sehr zeitaufwendig sein. Es werden mögliche Verbesserungen bezüglich der Komplexität aufgezeigt, z.B. durch Faktorreduktion. Zusätzlich wird das sogenannte Andersen-Simulationsschema von einer auf mehrere Dimensionen erweitert, wobei das Konzept des „Momentmatchings“ zur Approximation des Volaprozesses in einem Heston Modell genutzt wird. Die daraus resultierende verbesserten Konvergenz des Gesamtprozesses führt zu einer verringerten Komplexität. Des Weiteren wird die Bewertung Amerikanischer Optionen als optimales Stoppproblem betrachtet. In höheren Dimensionen ist die simulationsbasierte Bewertung meist die einzig praktikable Lösung, da diese eine dimensionsunabhängige Konvergenz gewährleistet. Eine neue Methode der Varianzreduktion, die Multilevel-Idee, wird hier angewandt. Es wird eine untere Preisschranke unter zu Hilfenahme der Methode der „policy iteration“ hergeleitet. Dafür werden Konvergenzraten für die Simulation des Optionspreises erarbeitet und eine detaillierte Komplexitätsanalyse dargestellt. Abschließend wird das Preisen von Amerikanischen Optionen unter Modellunsicherheit behandelt, wodurch die Restriktion, nur ein bestimmtes Wahrscheinlichkeitsmodell zu betrachten, entfällt. Verschiedene Modelle können plausibel sein und zu verschiedenen Optionswerten führen. Dieser Ansatz führt zu einem nichtlinearen, verallgemeinerten Erwartungsfunktional. Mit Hilfe einer verallgemeinerte Snell''sche Einhüllende wird das Bellman Prinzip hergeleitet. Dadurch kann eine Lösung durch Rückwärtsrekursion erhalten werden. Ein numerischer Algorithmus liefert untere und obere Preisschranken. / The work presented here deals with several aspects of financial mathematics. An extended Libor market model is considered offering enough flexibility to accurately calibrate to various market data for caplets and swaptions. Moreover the evaluation of more complex financial derivatives is considered, for instance by simulation. In high dimension such simulations can be very time consuming. Possible improvements regarding the complexity of the simulation are shown, e.g. factor reduction. In addition the well known Andersen simulation scheme is extended from one to multiple dimensions using the concept of moment matching for the approximation of the vola process in a Heston model. This results in an improved convergence of the whole process thus yielding a reduced complexity. Further the problem of evaluating so called American options as optimal stopping problem is considered. For an efficient evaluation of these options, particularly in high dimensions, a simulation based approach offering dimension independent convergence often happens to be the only practicable solution. A new method of variance reduction given by the multilevel idea is applied to this approach. A lower bound for the option price is obtained using “multilevel policy iteration” method. Convergence rates for the simulation of the option price are obtained and a detailed complexity analysis is presented. Finally the valuation of American options under model uncertainty is examined. This lifts the restriction of considering one particular probabilistic model only. Different models might be plausible and may lead to different option values. This approach leads to a non-linear expectation functional, calling for a generalization of the standard expectation case. A generalized Snell envelope is obtained, enabling a backward recursion via Bellman principle. A numerical algorithm to valuate American options under ambiguity provides lower and upper price bounds.

This dissertation investigates the role of specification, refinement and implementation in the software development cycle. Both the structured and object-oriented paradigms are looked at. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the refinement process. The requirements for the product (system) are determined, the specifications are drawn up, the product is designed, specified, implemented and tested. The stage between the (formal) specification of the system and the implementation of the system is the refinement stage. The refinement process consists out of data refinement, operation refinement, and operation decomposition. In this dissertation, Z, Object-Z and UML (Unified Modelling Language) are used as specification languages and C, C++, Cobol and Object-Oriented Cobol are used as implementation languages. As an illustration a small system, The ITEM System, is specified in Z and UML and implemented in Object-Oriented Cobol. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

The study is a comparative analysis of conceptual metaphors in English and Shona. The objectives of this study were: to compare the metaphorical expressions of English and Shona in the same or similar domains in order to establish on the one hand whether there are similarities and/or differences cross-linguistically and cross-culturally in the metaphorical construal of reality between these two languages and on the other hand, to establish what the underlying motivation is for the similarities and the differences between these two unrelated languages. The thesis also explores the reasons for the similarities in terms of particular assumptions underlying conceptual metaphors, that is, embodiment and ecological motivations. / Linguistics / D. Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

In this dissertation, I investigate the cognitive processes integral to intertextual readings by referring to the cognitive linguistics framework known as conceptual blending. I refer to different genres of intertextual texts and then explain these intertexts in terms of cognitive principles and processes, such as conceptual blending networks. By applying the framework of conceptual blending to intertexts within different genres, I suggest that the underlying cognitive processes are universal for the interpretation of any type of intertextual text. My findings indicate that conceptual blending underpins intertextuality which is cognitive, creative and dynamic in nature. This means that the meaning we construct from intertexts is dependent on the context in which they appear and cannot be studied in isolation. Investigating intertextual texts from a cognitive linguistics perspective reveals new inferences (such as the influence of implicit knowledge as a type of intertext) and the creativity involved in the meaning-making process. / Linguistics / M.A. (Linguistics)

Business organisations today are faced with the complex problem of dealing with evolution in their software information systems. This effectively concerns the accommodation and facilitation of change, in terms of both changing user requirements and changing technological requirements. An approach that uses the software development life-cycle as a vehicle to study the problem of evolution is adopted. This involves the stages of requirements analysis, system specification, design, implementation, and finally operation and maintenance. The problem of evolution is one requiring proactive as well as reactive solutions for any given application domain. Measuring evolvability in conceptual models and the specification of changing requirements are considered. However, even "best designs" are limited in dealing with unanticipated evolution, and require implementation phase paradigms that can facilitate an evolution correctly (semantic integrity), efficiently (minimal disruption of services) and consistently (all affected parts are consistent following the change). These are also discussed / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Teaching ESL continues to pose a big challenge in most schools in Zambia. This is due to the paucity of teaching resources. While the number of schools has increased, there has not been a corresponding increase in funding due to economic reasons. This study arose from the desire to find alternative resources to teach English as a second language effectively within the communicative language teaching (CLT) framework. A review of available literature has shown that literature can help students to acquire the four language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. / English Studies / M. A.

Magistrinio darbo tikslas yra sukurti kompiuterinį amperometrinio biojutiklio su chemiškai modifikuotu elektrodu modelį ir ištirti jo savybes. Modelis papildo egzistuojančius modelius mediatoriaus sluoksniu. Mediatoriaus koncentracija sluoksnyje nėra konstanta, tirpsta biojutiklio veikimo eigoje. Darbe apžvelgiama medžiaga apie amperometrinius biojutiklius, biojutiklio modeliavimo aspektus, mediatoriaus tirpimo priežastis ir veikimo principus. Vėliau suformuluojamas pasirinkto biojutiklio matematinis modelis. Matematiniame modelyje pateikiamos diferencialinės lygtys su dalinėmis išvestinėmis, aprašančios biojutiklyje vykstančias reakcijas ir difuzijas. Pagal matematinį modelį yra sudaromas skaitinis modelis. Pagal žinomus analizinius sprendimus modelis yra ratifikuojamas. Remiantis skaitiniu modeliu buvo sukurta programinė įranga įgyvendinanti diferencialinių lygčių su dalinėmis išvestinėmis sprendimo metodą (išreikštinę baigtinių skirtumų schemą) ir simuliuojanti biojutiklio veikimą. Programinė įranga yra karkasas, leidžiantis nagrinėti sumodeliuoto biojutiklio savybes bei charakteristikas. Buvo ištirtos substrato ir mediatoriaus koncentracijų, mediatoriaus, fermento, difuzijos sluoksnių, bei mediatoriaus sluoksnio difuzijos koeficiento įtakos biojutiklio generuojamos srovės tankiui. Be to gauti dviejų modelių palyginimo rezultatai parodė sumodeliuoto biojutiklio modelio skirtumus ir panaudojimo prasmingumą. / The aim of master thesis is to model amperometric biosensor with chemically modified electrode, introducing into existing model one more additional mediator layer. Mediator concentration inside the layer is changing during the biosensor action. Master thesis content consists of: enzyme kinetics introduction, biosensor modeling peculiarities exploration, chemically modified electrode information, biosensor action aspects description. Following chapter concentrates on mathematical modeling of particular biosensor type. Mathematical model represents differential equations with partial derivatives describing the reactions and diffusion inside biosensor. Next, numerical model is formulated. The explicit method technique was used. Based on numerical model software was made and validated. Using software the biosensor action was simulated in order to investigate biosensor properties and characteristics. In this work several properties were analyzed: impact of substrate and mediator concentrations, size of mediator, enzyme and diffusion layers, mediator layer diffusion coefficient on biosensor response. This model was compared with previous introduced model and it was shown that there is some difference between them and there is a reason to use new model.

Magistro baigiamojo darbo objektas – su maistu susijusios kultūrinės reikšmės maisto reklamose. Darbo tikslas – teoriškai nustatyti reklamoje kuriamas su maistu susijusias kultūrines reikšmes ir jas išanalizuoti remiantis semiotinio metodo instrumentarijumi. Darbo uždaviniai: aptarti semiotikos mokyklas – jų raidą, pagrindines kryptis, svarbiausius autorius, metodo instrumentarijų, atskleisti pagrindines sąvokas; pristatyti reklamą, jos raidą, pagrindinius principus ir vaidmenį šiuolaikinėje vartotojų visuomenėje, atskleisti semiotinį požiūrį į reklamą; ištirti maisto funkcijas šiuolaikinėje visuomenėje ir su maistu susijusias reikšmes skritinguose kultūros sluoksniuose; taikant semiotinį metodą, išanalizuoti, kaip maisto reklamose kuriama kultūrinė reikšmė, kokie socialiniai ir kultūriniai kodai veikia reikšmės kūrime. Išanalizavus mokslinę literatūrą, atskleista, kad semiotikos modelis yra tinkamas kultūrinių reikšmių kūrimui reklamoje tirti. Pristatant su maistu susijusias kultūrines reikšmes, analizuota sociologijos, antropologijos, kultūros studijų ir kitų mokslo sričių literatūra, o jai susisteminti panaudotas Geerto Hofstede‘o daugiasluoksnis kultūros modelis (Hofstede, 1984). Maistas atlieka diferenciacijos funkciją tarp kultūrų ir kultūros viduje – tarp jos skirtingų sluoksnių, o kai kuriose kultūrose – ir tarp individų. Šiuolaikinėje modernioje visuomenėje jis taip pat yra privačią ir viešąją erdvę, o kartu – ir moteriškąją bei vyriškąją sritį skiriantis elementas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The object of this study is food-related cultural meanings in food advertising. This study attempts to theoretically establish the food-related cultural meanings that are being created via advertisements and to analyze them using the instrumentation of the semiotic method. In this study two main semiotic schools are introduced, including their development, main directions, most significant authors, the instrumentation of the method, main concepts that will be used. There has been a concept of advertising as such analyzed, also its development, main principles and the role it plays in a consumer society. The functions of food in a contemporary society and food-related meanings in different cultural layers have been investigated. It was investigated both how food advertising creates the cultural meaning and what social/cultural codes work in this process by using the semiotic method. The analyzed scientific studies show that the semiotic model is suitable for exhibiting the creation of cultural meanings in advertising. In order to examine the food-related cultural meanings, various works of sociology, anthropology, culture and other fields of science were taken into account. The findings of those works were systematized using the Geert Hofstede’s model (Hofstede, 1984). Food separates both the cultures and layers or individuals in a culture from each other. In the contemporary society, food is a marker of private and public spaces, as well as feminine and masculine fields. Food... [to full text]

The purpose of this project is to argue that we possess a minimal self. It will demonstrate that minimal selfhood arrives early in our development and continues to remain and influence us throughout our entire life. There are two areas of research which shape my understanding of the minimal self: phenomenology and enactivism. Phenomenology emphasizes the sense of givenness, ownership, or mineness that accompanies all of our experiences. Enactivism says there is a sensorimotor coupling that occurs between us and the environment in a way which modulates the dynamic patterns of our self development; the laying down of these basic patterns helps make us who we are and gives rise to the phenomenological, experiential mineness. Drawing on these two core ideas, I will be arguing for a Phenomenological-Enactive Minimal Self (abbreviated PEMS). I will be emphasizing the role of the body and the role of affects (moods, feelings, and emotions) as the most important components relevant to understanding minimal selfhood. Put more concretely, the set of conditions which constitute the PEMS view are: (i) The minimal self is the experiential subject; the minimal sense of self is present whenever there is awareness. It is the subjectivity of experience, the sense of mineness, or givenness which our experiences contain. (ii) The phenomenological part of the PEMS view turns on the idea of a bodily and dynamic integration of sensorimotor coupling and affective experience. It is, ontologically speaking, the lived body in enactive engagement with the environment. It is this embodied subject which anchors and forms the foundation for the later ‘narrative' self, which emerges from it and which is continually influenced by it. It is the subject enactively engaged with others, dependent on sensorimotor processes and affects. We have an identity, but it emerges from relational and dynamic processes.