Picaresque picturesque

The paper explores Tecton’s Dudley Zoo in the context of the picturesque; and the reasons for which one might be interested in picturesque concept

Towards Engineering Reliable Keystroke Biometrics Systems

In this thesis, we argue that most of the work in the literature on behavioural-based biometric systems using AI and machine learning is immature and unreliable. Our analysis and experimental results show that designing reliable behavioural-based biometric systems requires a systematic and complicated process. We first discuss the limitation in existing work and the use of conventional machine learning methods. We use the biometric zoos theory to demonstrate the challenge of designing reliable behavioural-based biometric systems. Then, we outline the common problems in engineering reliable biometric systems. In particular, we focus on the need for novelty detection machine learning models and adaptive machine learning algorithms. We provide a systematic approach to design and build reliable behavioural-based biometric systems. In our study, we apply the proposed approach to keystroke dynamics. Keystroke dynamics is behavioural-based biometric that identify individuals by measuring their unique typing behaviours on physical or soft keyboards. Our study shows that it is possible to design reliable behavioral-based biometrics and address the gaps in the literature

Imposing Discipline Upon Nature: Gardens, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry in Cape Breton, 1713-1758

This paper examines horticulture in Ile Royale (Cape Breton) and focuses on the French attempt to grow food through the introduction of gardens, animals and small mixed farms (menageries). Adapting to the colder climate and marginal soil of first, Newfoundland, and then Cape Breton, the French introduced innovative solutions to the difficulties of land infertility. The French had confidence—given enough manpower—that anything was possible. By building roads, bridges, filling marshes, removing rocks, transporting rich soil, making raised beds, creating ponds, wells, fountains, using glass bells, fertilizer, seaweed, lime and compost, they imposed a discipline upon nature and transformed the most barren ground into bountiful gardens. Résumé Cet article sur l’horticulture dans l’Île Royale (Cap-Breton) décrit les efforts des Français pour subvenir à leurs besoins alimentaires au moyen de potagers, de bétail et de petites fermes mixtes («ménageries»). Pour composer avec le climat plus froid et le sol mince de Terre-Neuve, puis du Cap-Breton, les Français ont appliqué diverses solutions novatrices au problème de la pauvreté des sols. Convaincus que rien n’était impossible s’ils y mettaient la main-d’œuvre suffisante, les Français ont construit des routes et des ponts, rempli des marécages, épierré les sols, importé du terreau fertile, aménagé des plates-bandes surélevées, créé des étangs, des puits et des fontaines, utilisé des cloches de verre, de l’engrais, des algues, du calcaire et du compost, bref, ils ont plié la nature à leurs besoins et transformé les terres les plus pauvres en généreux potagers

Appropriation of Symbol as Disclosure of the World of the Play in Tennessee Williams’s “The Glass Menagerie”

This paper examines the symbol as a key to understanding the world of Tennessee Williams’s play The Glass Menagerie (1945) within the frame of hermeneutics offered by Paul Ricoeur. Various conceptions of the symbol are presented, and the impact of religion upon the playwright’s drama is discussed. The interest of the authors is particularly directed towards the role of Christian symbols and their power to present, in a distinctive and irreplaceable way, the interplay of sacred and profane contexts. The Christian images inspire and shape the narrative structure of the drama. The analysis of particular symbols reveals that the playwright artistically uses Christian iconographic and liturgical implications as the symbolic pattern of the play. The spiritual meanings are evoked by the symbol of the rose, which is traditionally regarded as an emblem of the Virgin Mary, while the symbolic representation of the unicorn is associated with the Annunciation.Straipsnyje, remiantis Paulio Ricoeuro hermeneu­tikos principais, analizuojamas simbolis kaip tam tikras raktas, atveriantis Tennessee’io Williamso pjesės Stiklinis žvėrynas (1945) pasaulį. Apžvel­giamos įvairios simbolio koncepcijos, svarstoma religijos įtaka rašytojo gyvenimui ir kūrybai. Dau­giausia dėmesio skiriama krikščioniškųjų simbolių analizei, kuri leidžia atskleisti savitą sakralių bei profaniškų kontekstų sąveiką. Išanalizavus kūrinį, darytina išvada, kad autorius, pasitelkdamas krikš­čioniškus simbolius, remiasi Šventuoju Raštu kaip žanrine atmintimi ir stilizuoja biblinį pasaulėvaizdį. Varijuodamas skirtingus religinius motyvus, jis kuria religinę ir meninę personažų viziją. Bibliniai vaizdiniai motyvuoja ir formuluoja pjesės naratyvo struktūrą. Biblinės prasmės akcentai atsiskleidžia rožės simboliu, kurį galima interpretuoti kaip Mergelės Marijos simbolį, o vienaragis sietinas su liturgine Apreiškimo švente

The Zoological Paradox

Through on-site field investigation, studies of animal behaviors, and Jon Coe’s zoo enrichment principles, this thesis proposes that zoo architec-ture should prioritize the needs of the animals by incorporating behavioral and environmental enrichments into its design. Enrichments refer to the pro- cess of providing the appropriate behav-ioral and environmental stimuli that foster the animals to exhibit their own natural behaviors. Adapting Jon Coe’s strategies and Heini Hediger’s concept of territory as precedents, “A Zoological Paradox” proposes the reimagining of the zoo typology by integrating existing enrich-ment methodologies, as well as allowing human visitors to interact and engage in the process of enriching the animals’ well-being. Through strategies of introducing choices and novelty to the “Animal Folly” enclosure, and allowing a visitor’s participation, the reimagined zoo offers the animals a sense of freedom within captivity; a temporary relief from stress within their confines. A continuous network of “corridors” replaces conventional enclosures; reflecting each animal’s territorial path-ways and further providing a sense of choice and freedom. Shifting the visitor’s role from a mere spectator to an active participant not only enhances his or her experience at the zoo, but also reshapes the percep-tion that these enrichments are what really matter. Rather than a “naturalistic facade,” enrichments become the most crucial component for animals born and raised in captivity