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The purpose of the study was to investigate the involvement and actions (co‐creation) of residents of South Africa prior to the commencement of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, which was held in South Africa during June and July 2010.

Quantitative research was conducted in the three major metropolitan centres in South Africa, using a self‐completion questionnaire among residents in South Africa, using purposive sampling. The questionnaire consisted of two sections. Data collection was supervised by trained fieldworkers.

The responses of 1,352 respondents who took part indicate significant differences between the involvement of the genders, language groups and nationalities, while in the case of actions, significant differences were found between genders and income groups. The study also found an association between the involvement and actions in the case of this mega‐event.

The research was conducted one month prior to the event, and those who had exhibited actions may have been predisposed to taking part in the event. Research was limited to three major centres in South Africa.

This has implications for the marketing of mega‐events in other countries as well as events other than sports events, specifically in the development of the marketing strategy associated with the event and more specifically the marketing communication strategy, focussed on attracting residents.

The importance of the study can be found in the scarcity of the literature that primarily investigates the role of residents in the co‐creation associated with a mega‐event.

Assembly techniques for power semiconductor devices destined for automotive applications are examined. Attention has been paid to materials or their combinations showing an acceptable compromise between good thermal conductivity and low cost. Extensive work has been carried out on type and/or thickness of same to minimise the strains dependent on different TCEs. Measurements and tests on thermal resistance have been performed. Rth measurements, together with thermal fatigue cycle and cycled life test, have confirmed themselves as a very suitable way to study and optimise the assembly technique for power devices.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of the media on residents's support of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games within the two respective communities of Weymouth and Portland in England and in doing so better understand what influences residents' support for mega events.

A quantitative methodology was employed using a systematic random sampling method. A drop and collect technique with self‐completion surveys was used. A total of 404 completed surveys were returned. Logistical regression was used to examine the influence of the media on overall event support.

Although residents were supportive of hosting the event in the local area their overall support was influenced by their perceptions of the media portrayal. Those respondents who perceive the event portrayal as fair were much more in favour of hosting the event than other groups of respondents. The type of portrayal in the local media was not significant.

The nature of media exposure and attitudes toward the media were not examined. Future research is needed on how the media present and frame issues related to mega sport event hosting, and whether involvement or commitment influences residents' media perceptions and overall event support.

Fairness in reporting appears to be a greater influencing factor than the type of media coverage (positive, negative, and neutral). This suggests the need for open communication of the costs as well as the benefits from event organisers and unbiased reporting from media sources.

This is one of the first studies to examine the influence of the media on residents' support for mega sporting events. It proposes future research directions to explore this neglected area.

The interest for hosting the Olympic Games is now at its historical peak. Heads of states, culture elites, top athletes and professional marketers are engaged in selling their cities to the deciding International Olympic Committee. This host selection process has recently been in the focus of public interest due to the bribery allegations against the winner of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City.

Among the main factors to be considered for the thermal optimisation of hybrid power modules are: the thermal resistance between the power chips and the bottom of the case; the thermal coupling between adjacent chips; and the ability of the module to withstand the thermal overloads induced by electrical surges. In this paper, the authors show how a finite element code can be used to optimise a hybrid power assembly in both steady‐and unsteady‐state. Comparisons made between results obtained with 3D and 2D simulations show that for hybrid power modules 2D simulations are generally unreliable. However, thermal studies cannot guarantee the reliability of hybrid power assemblies. Studies relative to hybrid power circuits must be thermomechanical.

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effects of mass tourism on urban communities in the historic centre of Venice, Italy. Through a survey in Cannaregio district, it explores the correlation between tourism pressures and the depopulation phenomenon and its mechanisms, the agents involved and the effects of depopulation on local life.

Semi-structured interviews with local residents, international experts and municipality officers, together with an analysis of literature on the topic allowed the collection of original qualitative data.

Venice is a popular tourist destination which risks being overwhelmed by its own success. Aside from environmental and structural issues, the city is experiencing socio-economic changes, such as the depopulation of its historic centre. The paper suggests that both direct and indirect relationships exist between tourism pressures and depopulation in Venice. The findings point to a need to develop strategies and manage tourism efficiently, and to promote diversification of local business in the interests of reducing tourism-induced demographic changes and improving local residents’ quality of life.

The outcomes of this study will be useful for local residents and heritage managers in understanding the mechanisms behind tourism mismanagement and the phenomenon of depopulation. Such heightened understanding will be useful in encouraging future cooperation between stakeholders and highlighting the key role that local residents play.

The study analyses tourism pressures and depopulation using qualitative data, focussing not only on the people-related aspect with its loss of intangible practices, but also on the property-related aspects of tourism and their effects on the local real estate market.

A month or so after the Stresa meeting, the French ISHM chapter, organising a session on ‘Gallic inks’ (!), summoned me to deliver some comments on the 5th European Hybrid Microelectronics Conference. Although it was only a matter of interlude during this technical session, I felt the task quite a difficult one. It became a hazardous project when Brian C. Waterfield kindly asked me to let what is in fact a personal opinion—my personal opinion, standing back from my daily work—appear in Hybrid Circuits. I'll do my best.