This study is a response to the growing demand for more critical examinations of the video game as a communicative as well as interactive medium of mass culture. It reflects the game in regard to its potentials and abilities conveying a message to its audience and sets it into a broader discourse of mass communication. The analysis focuses on opinion forming games and their agendas whilst scrutinizing the methods through which certain messages are delivered to the player. The study is primarily based on qualitative research and analyzes the mechanisms of manipulation through examples with an emphasis on the mechanics and rules of the game, its visual aesthetics, its narrative structure and the emotional dimensions of the gameplay. The analysis illustrates that games are effectively used to render the image of war and to frame the enemy in a stereotypical manner in order to match certain political interests. They also function as a recruitment tool for the military as well as for political and ethnic fractions. In addition the study demonstrates the positive potentials of the medium by referring to serious games which offer complex perspectives and profound knowledge about certain topics and encourage the player to aim for creative and constructive solutions in order to finish the game successfully. The results of the study demonstrate that video games can no longer be categorized as a subculture of entertainment for young men. With the growing acceptance of the medium as a part of mass culture its influence especially on young people had been taken into account by certain groups which made use of the video game to convey their messages to an audience. The analysis shows the inner complexity of the medium and gives examples for attempts to use its potentials by concluding that these efforts are far from being utilized fully. In this regard the study offers impulses for further research which should fill the void and explore the possibilities games provide and how we can make good use of them.

Throughout the existence of the United States there have been multiple ways to seek healthcare insurance, and healthcare services and treatment. As the country developed a system in which healthcare was distributed was created. As such, this system has created societal divisions and has caused certain people to be excluded from gaining access to healthcare insurance and treatment. From these divisions, certain stigmas and stereotypes have been created about the type of person that does not have access to healthcare. With certain historical reforms in the U.S. healthcare system being currently implemented, the healthcare system is to change dramatically. However, certain people are still being excluded from gaining access to healthcare insurance and healthcare services. The following thesis, based on research which was conducted from April to July 2014 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, explores the manner in which recent developments and changes within the healthcare system of the United States inhibits the city’s residents from obtaining basic health care. By focusing on medical encounters, this thesis focuses on how agencies of power retain control of the body, and those that seek access to healthcare. This thesis also explores the opinion of the uninsured patients by those who volunteer at The Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals, which is an organization that offers free healthcare services while acting as political advocates.

Em 2012, a emissora SBT lançou no horário nobre da televisão aberta Carrossel, um remake de uma telenovela mexicana, com elenco majoritariamente infantil e o seguinte slogan: \"Carrossel: a novela que vai unir a família brasileira\". Após a estreia, os números da audiência surpreenderam, inclusive a própria emissora, e a novela teve seu número de capítulos esticado, dada a fidelização do público. Mesmo após o último capítulo da novela, os personagens da trama continuaram circulando pelas mídias em seriados, especiais de fim de ano, reprises, desenho animado e até dois filmes no cinema. No contexto midiático em que vivemos, essa permanência de Carrossel no imaginário das pessoas e essa vida extra-narrativa tão viva de seus personagens intrigam-nos por terem partido de um produto midiático aparentemente tão simples no formato. Assim, esta pesquisa propôs-se a investigar elementos que revelam por que Carrossel engajou tantos espectadores em torno de si. Nossa pesquisa revelou que a novela trazia consigo uma proposta de inclusão presente desde a forma ampla como convocou o público, perpassando as especificidades do formato e do roteiro da obra que permitiam diferentes níveis de envolvimento aos espectadores, chegando até à construção dos personagens e a sua mensagem central ao apresentar uma proposta de como lidar com as diferenças sociais. O curioso de se perceber é que muitos elementos centrais de Carrossel expandiram-se não apenas para os demais produtos da marca, mas foi possível / In 2012, In 2012, SBT TV station launched Carrossel on its prime time. Carrossel is a remake of a Mexican telenovela, with the cast formed mostly by children. The show slogan is: Carrossel: a telenovela that will connect the Brazilian family.\" After the first chapter, the high number of viewers surprised even the TV station. Carrossel ended up increasing the number of chapters due to its viewers loyalty. Even after the telenovela came to an end, the characters continued in the media, with appearances on TV shows, talk shows, reruns, cartoons and two movies. In the media context that WE currently live carossel\'s presence on peoples imagination and the vivid extra-narrative of its characters is very intriguing, considering its format is fairly simple. This research investigates elements that reveal why Carrossel engaged so many spectators. Our research revealed that Carrossel\'s aimed to reach a broad range of viewers. The specifics of Carrossel format and script allowed different levels of involvement from spectators, to the construction of the characters and their central message. They even presented ways of dealing with social differences. The interesting realization is that many central elements of the telenovela expanded not only to other products of Carrossel, but we observed reverberations in other media products, including in other tv channels.

The objective of this study is to analyze and understand the sexual orientation given by mothers to sons and daughters with visual deficiencies. From a phenomenological perspective the narratives of twenty mothers of visual defficients are analyzed. The convergences of these conversations make clear that disinformation about sexuality in general impedes dialogues between mothers and offspring. Evidence was obtained showing that sexual repression stems from stigmas and preconcepts about sexual education of persons with visual defficiencies. / El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer y comprender la orientación sexual proveniente de madres de hijos portadores de deficiencia visual. Bajo la perspectiva fenomenológica, se analizan veinte discursos de madres de deficientes visuales. El recorrido por todos los discursos permite conocer que la desinformación sobre la sexualidad en general, impide el diálogo entre madre e hijo(a). Tales recorridos evidencian igualmente, que la represión sexual fundamenta los estigmas y los preconceptos en la educación sexual de los deficientes visuales.

Em 2012, a emissora SBT lançou no horário nobre da televisão aberta Carrossel, um remake de uma telenovela mexicana, com elenco majoritariamente infantil e o seguinte slogan: \"Carrossel: a novela que vai unir a família brasileira\". Após a estreia, os números da audiência surpreenderam, inclusive a própria emissora, e a novela teve seu número de capítulos esticado, dada a fidelização do público. Mesmo após o último capítulo da novela, os personagens da trama continuaram circulando pelas mídias em seriados, especiais de fim de ano, reprises, desenho animado e até dois filmes no cinema. No contexto midiático em que vivemos, essa permanência de Carrossel no imaginário das pessoas e essa vida extra-narrativa tão viva de seus personagens intrigam-nos por terem partido de um produto midiático aparentemente tão simples no formato. Assim, esta pesquisa propôs-se a investigar elementos que revelam por que Carrossel engajou tantos espectadores em torno de si. Nossa pesquisa revelou que a novela trazia consigo uma proposta de inclusão presente desde a forma ampla como convocou o público, perpassando as especificidades do formato e do roteiro da obra que permitiam diferentes níveis de envolvimento aos espectadores, chegando até à construção dos personagens e a sua mensagem central ao apresentar uma proposta de como lidar com as diferenças sociais. O curioso de se perceber é que muitos elementos centrais de Carrossel expandiram-se não apenas para os demais produtos da marca, mas foi possível / In 2012, In 2012, SBT TV station launched Carrossel on its prime time. Carrossel is a remake of a Mexican telenovela, with the cast formed mostly by children. The show slogan is: Carrossel: a telenovela that will connect the Brazilian family.\" After the first chapter, the high number of viewers surprised even the TV station. Carrossel ended up increasing the number of chapters due to its viewers loyalty. Even after the telenovela came to an end, the characters continued in the media, with appearances on TV shows, talk shows, reruns, cartoons and two movies. In the media context that WE currently live carossel\'s presence on peoples imagination and the vivid extra-narrative of its characters is very intriguing, considering its format is fairly simple. This research investigates elements that reveal why Carrossel engaged so many spectators. Our research revealed that Carrossel\'s aimed to reach a broad range of viewers. The specifics of Carrossel format and script allowed different levels of involvement from spectators, to the construction of the characters and their central message. They even presented ways of dealing with social differences. The interesting realization is that many central elements of the telenovela expanded not only to other products of Carrossel, but we observed reverberations in other media products, including in other tv channels.

The rise in diagnosable mental illness disorders in the United States is a major concern. However, researchers indicate that African Americans are far less likely to seek mental health treatment than Caucasian Americans. This qualitative, phenomenological study addressed a research gap regarding the beliefs, perceptions, stigmas, and practices of African American clergy regarding their promotion of mental health services. Two conceptual frameworks consisting of the sociocultural theory and the social learning theory guided the study. There were two research questions used to guide the exploration of the purposive sampling of 6 African American clergy from major African American denominations across the southeastern United States. Responses from the in-depth, semistructured interviews, after being analyzed, coded, and categorized, were grouped into 3 main themes: (a) stigmas African American clergy have regarding mental illness, (b) African American clergy's promotion of secular counseling for mental health treatment, and (c) clergy's personal experiences with mental illness and secular counseling. The results were that African American clergy had stigmas regarding the use and promotion of mental health services and relied more on prayer as the first line of defense. Social change implications include bringing awareness to African American clergy at large and how their perceptions, beliefs, stigmas, and practices affect their congregations and communities. An increased knowledge of mental illness and interventions, with sensitivity to African Americans culturally and spiritually, may improve the rates of African Americans help-seeking behaviors and minimize the risk of stigmatization.

No description available.

(in English): The diploma thesis examines phenomenon of stigmas and stigmatised persons in the Middle Ages. This diploma thesis contains of three parts. The goal of first part is description of Crucifixion symbolism from beginning of Christianity up to first stigmas about Francis of Assisi from 1224. Main part presents its own phenomenon of stigmas: their definition, base and reception in religious and expert field. Final part focuses on significant middle-aged holders of stigmas and analysis of their hagiography. Klíčová slova (anglicky): Stigmas, Jesus Christ, cross, crucifixion, bloody sweat, bloody tears, thorn crown, mysticism, self-identification.

My explorations and journey through life have led me to discover a connection in my work and responsibility as a visual communicator. My objective of communicating challenge, perception, and social stigmas through informed stories of individual lives is to provoke questions and spark moments of awareness in viewers. With this supporting manuscript, I hope to inform about my motivations through time including my personal, artistic, and historical influences. I will define graphic design as a fine art through the evaluation of artistic movements. I also intend to discuss design as a language and build a case for social awareness. Evaluating the process of my work will enlighten the technical aspects of my unique aesthetic and prove the success of my intention.

Στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν να μελετήσει αν το εκχύλισμα των στιγμάτων του Crocus sativus L. αναστέλλει την επαγόμενη από σεληνιώδες νάτριο ανάπτυξη καταρράκτη σε ένα in vivo πείραμα με νεογνά επίμυων του γένους Wistar. Μέθοδοι: Τα νεογνά των επίμυων κατατάχθηκαν τυχαία σε 3 ομάδες. Ομάδα Ι (ομάδα μαρτύρων) όπου χορηγήθηκε υποδόρια φυσιολογικός ορός τη 10η ημέρα της ζωής. Ομάδα ΙΙ (ομάδα σεληνιώδους νατρίου) στην οποία χορηγήθηκε υποδόρια σεληνιώδες νάτριο (20 µmol/kg σωματικού βάρους) τη 10η ημέρα της ζωής. Ομάδα ΙΙΙ (ομάδα σεληνιώδους νατρίου και εκχυλίσματος στιγμάτων Crocus sativus L.) στην οποία εκτός από το σεληνιώδες νάτριο τη 10η ημέρα της ζωής χορηγήθηκε και εκχύλισμα στιγμάτων του Crocus sativus L. (60 mg/kg σωματικού βάρους) την 9η και 12η ημέρα της ζωής. Την 21η ημέρα της ζωής οι επίμυες θυσιάστηκαν και οι κρυσταλλοειδείς φακοί απομονώθηκαν και εξετάστηκαν για την εμφάνιση καταρράκτη. Ακολούθησε προσδιορισμός στους κρυσταλλοειδείς φακούς της δραστικότητας των αντιοξειδωτικών ενζύμων δισμουτάση του σουπεροξειδίου (SOD), της υπεροξειδάσης της γλουταθειόνης (GPx) καθώς και της καταλάσης (CAT). Προσδιορίστηκαν επίσης τα επίπεδα της γλουταθειόνης στους φακούς. Επιπλέον, μετρήθηκαν τα επίπεδα της μηλονικής διαλδεΰδης (MDA), ως δείκτη υπεροξείδωσης των λιπιδίων, καθώς και η συγκέντρωση των ελεύθερων σουλφυδρυλομάδων, ως δείκτη οξειδωτικής βλάβης των πρωτεϊνών, στους κρυσταλλοειδείς φακούς των επίμυων. Η επίδραση των χορηγούμενων παραγόντων στο πρωτεϊνικό προφίλ των φακών εκτιμήθηκε μέσω προσδιορισμού του λόγου των υδατοδιαλυτών προς τις μη υδατοδιαλυτές πρωτεΐνες του φακού. Τέλος έγινε ανάλυση των υδατοδιαλυτών πρωτεϊνών με ηλεκτροφόρηση σε πήκτωμα πολυακρυλαμιδίου. Αποτελέσματα: Το εκχύλισμα αποξηραμένων στιγμάτων του Crocus sativus L. επέδειξε σημαντική προστασία έναντι στην επαγόμενη από σεληνιώδες νάτριο καταρρακτογένεση στο in vivo πειραματικό μοντέλο που χρησιμοποιήσαμε. Οι μέσες τιμές των δραστικοτήτων των αντιοξειδωτικών ενζύμων SOD, GPx, CAT καθώς και της συγκέντρωσης της γλουταθειόνης αυξήθηκαν σημαντικά στην ομάδα που έλαβε εκχύλισμα στιγμάτων του Crocus sativus L. σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα των επίμυων που δέχθηκε μόνο την τοξική δράση του σεληνιώδους νατρίου. Το εκχύλισμα των στιγμάτων του Crocus sativus L. απέτρεψε σε σημαντικό βαθμό την υπεροξείδωση των λιπιδίων καθώς και την οξειδωτική βλάβη στις πρωτεΐνες του φακού. Επίσης απέτρεψε την πρωτεόλυση των υδατοδιαλυτών πρωτεϊνών του φακού. Συμπεράσματα: Χορήγηση εκχυλίσματος αποξηραμένων στιγμάτων του Crocus sativus L. απέτρεψε την επαγόμενη από το σεληνιώδες νάτριο καταρρακτογένεση σε νεογνά επίμυων του γένους Wistar πιθανώς μέσω ενίσχυσης της αντιοξειδωτικής άμυνας του κρυσταλλοειδούς φακού, μέσω αναστολής του βαθμού της υπεροξείδωσης των λιπιδίων, μέσω προστασίας των σουλφυδρυλομάδων των πρωτεϊνών καθώς και μέσω αναστολής της πρωτεόλυσης των υδατοδιαλυτών πρωτεϊνών του φακού. Αυτά τα ευρήματα τονίζουν τις πιθανές αντικαταρρακτογενετικές δράσεις των αποξηραμένων στιγμάτων του Crocus sativus L. οι οποίες αποδίδονται στις αντιοξειδωτικές τους ιδιότητες. / The present study sought to investigate whether Crocus sativus L. stigmas extract prevents selenite-induced cataractogenesis in vivo and to study the possible protective mechanism. Methods: Wistar rat pups were randomized into 3 groups. Group I (control) received subcutaneous injection of normal saline on postnatal day 10. Groups II (selenite treated) and III (selenite and Crocus sativus L. treated) received subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (20 µmol/kg body weight) on postnatal day 10. Group III received intraperitoneal injections of Crocus sativus L. stigmas extract (60 mg/kg body weight) on postnatal days 9 and 12. On postpartum day 21, rats were sacrificed and the lenses were isolated and examined for cataract formation. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) and glutathione levels, as markers of antioxidant defense, were measured in the isolated lenses. Levels of the indicator of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein oxidation (sulfhydryl content) in lens were also determined. Effect of the different treatments on lens’ protein profile was evaluated with the estimation of soluble to insoluble protein ratio and SDS-PAGE analysis of water-soluble fraction (WSF) of lens proteins. Results: Crocus sativus L. stigmas extract demonstrated significant protection against selenite-induced cataractogenesis in vivo. The mean activities of SOD, GPx, CAT and glutathione levels were significantly increased in group III compared to the selenite-treated group. Crocus sativus L. stigmas extract significantly prevented selenite-induced lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, as well as proteolysis and insolubilization of the lens WSF. Conclusions: Crocus sativus L. stigmas extract prevented selenite-induced cataract formation in Wistar rats possibly by reinforcement of antioxidant status, reduction of the intensity of lipid peroxidation, protection of the sulfhydryl groups, and inhibition of proteolysis of the lens WSF. These findings highlight the anti-cataractogenic potential of Crocus sativus L. stigmas by virtue of their antioxidant properties.