Lost his voice? interrogating the representations of sexualities in selected novels by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

This thesis interrogates García Márquez’s representations of sexualities in the following selected novels: Chronicle of a Death Foretold (1981); The Autumn of the Patriarch (1975); One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967); The Sad and Incredible Tale of Innocent Erendira and her Heartless Grandmother (1972); and Memories of My Melancholy Whores (2004). It is argued here that García Márquez’s employment of the sexuality motif enables him to delve into many worldwide current concerns such as the irrelevance of some socio-cultural sexual practices; commercial sexual exploitation of children; the different manifestations of prostitution; and female powerlessness under autocratic rule. Earlier literary critics have tended to narrowly interpret García Márquez’s employment of the sexuality motif as just a metaphor for colonial exploitation of the colonised. The study also explores the writer’s artistic role and concludes that García Márquez speaks against commercial sexual exploitation of children as he concurrently speaks on behalf of children so exploited. Similarly, the writer speaks on behalf of prostituted womanhood by showing how prostitutional gains do not seem to cascade down to the prostitutes themselves. García Márquez also invests female sexual passivity as a coping mechanism against a dictator’s limitless power over the life and death of his citizens. However, the writer also constructs female agency that grows from the rejection of an initial victimhood to develop into an extremely flawed and corrupt flesh trade that co-opts and indentures children into sex work with impunity. Thus the study breaks new ground to show that García Márquez’s representations of different sexualities are not merely soft porn masquerading as art. His is a voice added to the worldwide concerns over commercial sexual exploitation of children in the main and also the recovery of a self-reliant female self-hood that was previously inextricably bound to male sexual norms. Quite clearly, García Márquez demonstrates that female prostitution is driven by a lack of social safety nets, a lack of other economically viable options and also a distinct lack of educational opportunities for female economic independence, hence the flawed female agency.English StudiesD. Litt. et Phil. (English

Variations in access to domestic water supply in EN Nahud district, Sudan

The central aim of this thesis is to develop an understanding of variation in access to domestic water supply in a semi-arid, non-riverain area of Sudan. En Nahud District, in North Kordofan Province, was selected for study because it has existing water supply problems and contains distinct spatial variations in geology, which affects the potential for development of underground water resources. Fieldwork in Sudan was carried out between July and December 1988, and information was collected from a range of sources using a variety of methods. The latter included: semi-structured household interviews conducted with women; key informant interviews; observation; and various published and unpublished articles and data sets. In the thesis, the first chapter introduces the national and international context of this study. Past and present water supply development policies and projects in the Sudan are outlined, and set against the goals of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade. In the second chapter, the research methodology is discussed. Attempt was made to overcome the several spatial, temporal social and economic biases which have occurred in other studies. In the third chapter, the thesis is placed in the physical and socio-economic context of the Province, and the dynamic relationship between water supply and demand is outlined. The following three chapters focus upon the primary constraints which limit access to domestic water supply: water availability; at-source costs; and transportation costs. The components of each, and the way in which they operate to restrict access, are investigated in relation to varying family resources and requirements. The borrowing of carriage resources and the purchase of transportation services are examined as strategies for overcoming families' internal collection-capacity constraints. Finally, seasonal outmigration is discussed as an important response to inadequate access to water supply. In its conclusion, this thesis shows clearly the importance of examining access to water at the family scale: inter-household variations, such as the ownership of carriage animals and varying labour resources, are shown to be influential in affecting household water supply strategies

Data Bandwidth Reduction Techniques For Distributed Embedded Simulatio

Maintaining coherence between the independent views of multiple participants at distributed locations is essential in an Embedded Simulation environment. Currently, the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol maintains coherence by broadcasting the entity state streams from each simulation station. In this dissertation, a novel alternative to DIS that replaces the transmitting sources with local sources is developed, validated, and assessed by analytical and experimental means. The proposed Concurrent Model approach reduces the communication burden to transmission of only synchronization and model-update messages. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the correctness of Concurrent Models in a discrete event simulation environment are established by developing Behavioral Congruence ¨B(EL, ER) and Temporal Congruence ¨T(t, ER) functions. They indicate model discrepancies with respect to the simulation time t, and the local and remote entity state streams EL and ER, respectively. Performance benefits were quantified in terms of the bandwidth reduction ratio BR=N/I obtained from the comparison of the OneSAF Testbed Semi-Automated Forces (OTBSAF) simulator under DIS requiring a total of N bits and a testbed modified for the Concurrent Model approach which required I bits. In the experiments conducted, a range of 100 d BR d 294 was obtained representing two orders of magnitude reduction in simulation traffic. Investigation showed that the models rely heavily on the priority data structure of the discrete event simulation and that performance of the overall simulation can be enhanced by an additional 6% by improving the queue management. A low run-time overhead, self-adapting storage policy called the Smart Priority Queue (SPQ) was developed and evaluated within the Concurrent Model. The proposed SPQ policies employ a lowcomplexity linear queue for near head activities and a rapid-indexing variable binwidth calendar queue for distant events. The SPQ configuration is determined by monitoring queue access behavior using cost scoring factors and then applying heuristics to adjust the organization of the underlying data structures. Results indicate that optimizing storage to the spatial distribution of queue access can decrease HOLD operation cost between 25% and 250% over existing algorithms such as calendar queues. Taken together, these techniques provide an entity state generation mechanism capable of overcoming the challenges of Embedded Simulation in harsh mobile communications environments with restricted bandwidth, increased message latency, and extended message drop-outs

Consuming the experience : the effect of experimental stimuli on the contextual self

This thesis develops identity theory in the context of experiential consumption through the creation of a contextual self. This unique feature of identity advances theory more commonly associated with service-dominant logic, under the proposition that experiences are a consumption activity in their own right which are under-valued when treated as a sub-activity of service consumption. Using a music festival as an experiential example, literature is identified based on the interpretive effects of symbolic interactionism. This highlights the importance of objective, inter-subjective, and subjective stimuli, namely the physical environment, the social environment, and the individual environment respectively. This provides a way of understanding contextual identity and subsequent value creation. This is explored using an in-depth study based on interactionist enquiry as a means to understand the lived experience of the festival-goer in their native habitat. Participant observations and in-field interviews with attendees are conducted using a semi-structured process, and analysed along thematic lines as a way to show the influence of existing theory as well as emerging lines of enquiry. Conclusions identify a 'contextual identity' – a unique identity formed by the persuasive effects of objective and inter-subjective stimuli. However, contextual identity only truly exists in comparison to individuals not attending the experience. During the experience itself, the strength of contextual identity diminishes, acting as no more than a primer for more dominant, deep-rooted identity concepts. The result of this experience-primed identity is the ‘contextual self’, which becomes the dominant behavioural guide during the actual experience. Implications are applicable across a number of contexts and provide not only a better theoretical understanding of identity within the experiential consumption process, but also practical suggestions to improve the consumer's experience

From New Public Management to Lean thinking: understanding and managing 'potentially avoidable failure induced demand'

The central objective of this thesis is to investigate, understand and explain the conditions under which the administrative problem known as potentially avoidable failure induced demand (PAFID) arises in UK public services and might be prevented. PAFID is defined as “customer contacts that appear to be precipitated by earlier failures, such as failures to do things right first time, which cause additional and potentially avoidable demands to impinge upon public services”. A secondary objective of the thesis is to establish how, and under what better conditions, the public sector could successfully exploit the management paradigm called Lean thinking, as an alternative to the current New Public Management method, in order to address the PAFID problem. An analysis of the results from three case-studies conducted in UK local authority settings confirms that nearly half of all customer contacts in high-volume services such as housing benefits are potentially avoidable. The extrapolation of this finding to the contact volumes and handling costs in one UK council alone suggests possible savings of more than £1 million a year. The potential benefits that are available to the case-study councils and nearly 500 other local councils, together with numerous other providers of UK public services, are also very substantial. A variety of conceptual lenses are applied to the PAFID problem in order to generate alternative explanations and policy options. This thesis makes a number of contributions to public sector management theory and practice, including the finding that councils might reduce principal-agent problems that add to PAFID by espousing more supportive and enabling environments, and by adopting systems-oriented approaches that acknowledge the complex and subjective nature of real-world problems. The findings also suggest that, while the deployment of Lean ‘tools’ can result in short-term savings and performance improvements, the adoption of Lean thinking as a comprehensive management approach is more likely to bring about fundamental changes

Secondary school realities

This is a symbolic interactionist account of certain aspects of life in a rural Secondary Modern School. A study of its subject choice system suggested two broad group perspectives among the pupils, one supportive of, the other rather indifferent towards school. These perspectives were reflected among the parents to some degree, along social class lines. There was considerable teacher direction, behind a rhetoric of choice. The many-sided nature of pupils' interests and reactions among curriculum, school and teachers was revealed. Three major categories of pupils’ existence ere examined — ’working’, ’having a laugh’, and ’being shown up'. All of those are shown to have a rational base and to be the product of complex negotiations. Teacher realities at the school are also categorized into three major, and highly contrasting areas of activity, namely ’surviving’, ’being professionals’, and ’being persons’. Much of the teacher’s classroom activity appears to have ’survival’ as the major goal, often under cover of ’teaching’. In other instances, for example when writing school reports, teachers act as 'professionals’, articulating ideal models of pupils and their expertise as teachers. In the staffroom, however, school matters are often viewed through a different perspective, not out of character with that employed in the private, as opposed to public sphere of life. As with the pupils, laughter is a key element. The thesis points to the effects of institutional forms upon the individual and upon relationships, over and above the considerable influence of external forces

Dying to be funny : the sociological significance of (un)successful live performance humour.

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN052826 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Guidelines for the verification and validation of expert system software and conventional software: Survey and assessment of conventional software verification and validation methods. Volume 2

By means of a literature survey, a comprehensive set of methods was identified for the verification and validation of conventional software. The 153 methods so identified were classified according to their appropriateness for various phases of a developmental life-cycle -- requirements, design, and implementation; the last category was subdivided into two, static testing and dynamic testing methods. The methods were then characterized in terms of eight rating factors, four concerning ease-of-use of the methods and four concerning the methods` power to detect defects. Based on these factors, two measurements were developed to permit quantitative comparisons among methods, a Cost-Benefit metric and an Effectiveness Metric. The Effectiveness Metric was further refined to provide three different estimates for each method, depending on three classes of needed stringency of V&V (determined by ratings of a system`s complexity and required-integrity). Methods were then rank-ordered for each of the three classes by terms of their overall cost-benefits and effectiveness. The applicability was then assessed of each for the identified components of knowledge-based and expert systems, as well as the system as a whole

Corporate social responsibility: the intersection of facts, beliefs and values

This research explores the social phenomenon of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Recent high profile scandals have raised the profile of Corporate Social Responsibility and as a result organisations now spend significant time and resources attempting to manage it. The importance of CSR is well evidenced in this research however what CSR actually is and what constitutes successful CSR is a much more difficult question for employees to answer. Even the term CSR is problematic and lacks agreed definition. This thesis shows that this leads to uncertainty and it examines the ways that organisational members interpret the subject, so that it means something to employees and stakeholders, and it further demonstrates the factors underpinning a successful programme. Clear gaps exist in the perceptions of senior management, line managers and front line employees as to what CSR means or what its benefits might be, indeed some question if the subject is an area that organisations should be involved in at all. The only thing that there seems any agreement over is that Corporate Social Irresponsibility is probably bad for the organisation, bad for society and bad for the stakeholders. This thesis contributes to the sociology of knowledge in a number of interrelated ways, and it is the nexus of these interrelationships that develops the distinctive contribution. The thesis examines the way that a number of organisations operationalize the construct of CSR to create shared value for the communities that they serve. It analyses the evolution of the definitions in use by the organisations and how employees create a shared understanding of the value that is added by CSR. Importantly the research provides a framework for understanding the impact the CSR can have within an organisation and provides a management tool to categorize CSR activities and then allows managers to identify ways of using CSR in a more strategic way. The thesis employs a case study approach to three organisations that are constituted in different ways and are of different sizes. These organisations have been chosen as they reflect the differing structures that represent the full range of incorporated businesses with the exception of the niche area of incorporated partnerships. All three believe that values are an important element of their business model and organisational culture. It considers the impact of structure and constitution, and investigates the different approaches of a large local Cooperative, a specialist hybrid Co-operative and the standard investor owned firm (IOF) model of CSR. It draws conclusions as to similarities and differences between the models and identifies core drivers of success in CSR for the organisations, as interpreted by employees. The approach follows the method outlined in Hingley (2010) and Stake (1995) and can be seen as typical cases of this type (Yin 2003). The use of multiple cases give a richness of detail by allowing input from the widest cross section of staff by interviewing over 150 staff of varying positions and from the widest possible ranges of business units and regions until saturation of categories was reached. The cases are built using Grounded Theory (GT) – a method that gives a significantly more validity to the process than a simple case approach and mitigates many of the weaknesses identified in the Case Study method. For example the topic of sense making is an important element of the thesis as is the process of symbolic interactionism. These require a depth of analysis and rigour in their investigation that GT gives but that case study is unlikely to uncover Unlike much research in this field that examines the reputational benefit of CSR the thesis examines the definition of CSR viewed from an organisational perspective. It adds to the body of knowledge regarding ways that employees make sense of the construct and their perceptions of benefits of CSR. It examines the impact of structure and constitution of organisations and contributes to our understanding of how this impacts on the behaviours and culture of organisations – a central tenet of CSR. The importance of alignment between espoused and enacted values is demonstrated as is the role of leadership in creating the conditions for a culture that ensures values are the key driver of CSR. The research examines the factors perceived by staff to impact the credibility of CSR and makes a methodological contribution by using Grounded Theory to build case studies by applying the rigorous coding processes to the development of the frameworks that the cases are based on. Finally the research makes a significant practitioner contribution by introducing the CSR matrix – the tool by which managers can categorise their activities and identify the organisational capabilities that can be leveraged to create shared value

Programming Languages and Systems

This open access book constitutes the proceedings of the 29th European Symposium on Programming, ESOP 2020, which was planned to take place in Dublin, Ireland, in April 2020, as Part of the European Joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software, ETAPS 2020. The actual ETAPS 2020 meeting was postponed due to the Corona pandemic. The papers deal with fundamental issues in the specification, design, analysis, and implementation of programming languages and systems