Email from Stanley Blyskal to Susan Werner

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film Email from Stanley Blyskal to Susan Werner regarding Carousel. April 6, 2006https://digitalcommons.providence.edu/carousel_2006_commentary/1000/thumbnail.jp

Titian, the Pesaro, and the Frari: different strokes for different folks

This thesis parses two early paintings by the Venetian High Renaissance artist Titian. The discussions analyze the circumstances and patronage, compositional elements, iconography, and meanings of each work that lead through a maze of often contradictory art historical scholarship. This journey concludes by my proffering greater insights for each extraordinary painting by this internationally renowned artist. The earliest extant work by Titian--St. Peter Enthroned, with Donor and Pop--is a wonderful, if somewhat awkward, completion of a commission begun by Giovanni Bellini. Dating controversies over the centuries are examined, and a secure time-frame of 1506 to the first half of 1507 is advanced. Differences of opinion over the meaning of the work are also analyzed, and I propose that it served as an ex voto for the patron, Jacopo Pesaro, as prideful recognition of his commission as papal admiral in the Christian crusade against the Turks. The depiction of citizen patrons in devotional art did not belong to an established Venetian tradition, but to one with which Pesaro became familiar during his service at the papal court in Rome, where it was widespread. This patron used art as a means to promote his ambitions, and Titian used it to demonstrate his ability to compete with Giovanni Bellini. The second work examined, the Pesaro Altarpiece, had a long creative gestation which included several changes in composition that culminated in a new standard for pale-- altarpieces and sealed Titian\u27s reputation as the leader of the Venetian school. This painting, in situ at the Frari, is part of a wall altar dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, adjacent to the Pesaro family tombs. The painting can only be appreciated by understanding its different meanings to Jacopo Pesaro, the rest of the Pesaro clan, the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception, and the Franciscans of the Frari. This thesis demystifies and disproves some art historical interpretations that have confused understanding of Titian\u27s artistry and the significance of the painting

Mindfulness Practice in the Collegiate Voice Studio: A Case Study

Research continuously acknowledges mindfulness—the practice of purposefully, nonjudgmentally paying attention in the present moment —as a technique to reduce anxiety, improve attention and working memory, and overall enhance physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. While the college years are often tumultuous, mindfulness can be a viable means of reducing student anxiety while enhancing one’s learning experience, particularly for the highly demanding lifestyles of music students. Musicians who undergo mindfulness training have reported reduced performance anxiety, increased performance quality, more focused practices, and improved positive affect, among other published results. Mindfulness may be especially beneficial for musicians who are singers, who require heightened physical awareness and psychological resilience to perform successfully. Despite these advantages, few institutions regularly offer courses or training in mindfulness or related mental performance skills. Private voice teachers have an opportunity to bridge this gap in their studios. This essay presents a case study that incorporated formal mindfulness practice into the voice lessons of three music majors. The purpose of this study was to investigate if mindfulness enhanced the students’ experience of learning vocal technique, as well as if it reduced students’ general anxiety. The results were gathered using both quantitative scales and open-ended interviews, and they suggested that mindfulness did reduce general anxiety and enhance students’ learning experience, particularly by improving focus and stress management coping skills. Some results suggest that mindfulness was particularly beneficial for learning vocal technique, but further research is needed to form a strong conclusion. Overall, this study can be used as a model for voice teachers who wish to proactively address aspects of mental performance with their students.</p

Email from Stanley Blyskal to Susan Werner

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film Email from Stanley Blyskal to Susan Werner regarding Carousel. April 6, 2006https://digitalcommons.providence.edu/carousel_2006_commentary/1000/thumbnail.jp

Biodegradacja tworzywa sporzadzonego z polimerow syntetycznych i skrobi ziemniaczanej

Badaniu poddano tworzywo sporządzone z kompozytu skrobi z kopolimerem etylen-kwas akrylowy i gliceryny oraz polietylenu. Analizowano wpływ trzy- i sześciomiesięcznego działania mikroflory glebowej na wybrane właściwości tworzywa. Wyniki wykazały, że działalność drobnoustrojów występujących w glebie, szczególnie należących do rodzajów: Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, Bacillus i Streptomyces, w obydwu przyjętych w doświadczeniu okresach badawczych, spowodowała obniżenie, w porównaniu z próbami kontrolnymi, wartości wytrzymałości na rozciąganie i wydłużenia przy zerwaniu oraz zmniejszenie masy wszystkich badanych wariantów tworzywa. Proces moczenia i prażenia materiału nie wpłynął na zwiększenie stopnia jego degradacji w czasie trwania eksperymentu.Blend film was investigated. The influence of three and six months exposure to soil environment on selected characteristics of blend film was studied. Results indicated, that in two chosen experimental periods soil microorganisms, especially belonging to 6 fungal and bacterial genera: Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, Bacillus and Streptomyces, were able to lower, in comparison with control samples, tensile strength, elongation and weight loss values in all tested samples. Soaking and roasting did not increase biodégradation rate during both periods of soil burial

Megafaunal split ends: microscopical characterisation of hair structure and function in extinct woolly mammoth and woolly rhino

The large extinct megafaunal species of the Late Pleistocene, Mammuthus primigenius (woolly mammoth) and Coelodonta antiquitatis (woolly rhino) are renowned for their pelage. Despite this, very little research has been conducted on the form and function of hair from these iconic species. Using permafrost preserved hair samples from seven extinct megafaunal remains, this study presents an in-depth microscopical characterisation of preservation, taphonomy, microbial damage, pigmentation and morphological features of more than 420 hairs. The presence of unique structural features in hairs, from two extinct megafauna species, such as multiple medullae and unparallelled stiffness suggests evolution of traits that may have been critical for their survival in the harsh arctic environment. Lastly, despite popular depictions of red-haired and/or uniformly coloured mammoths, a closer examination of pigmentation reveals that mammoth coats may have exhibited a mottled/variegated appearance and that their 'true' colours were not the vivid red/orange colour often depicted in reconstructions. Insights gained from microscopical examination of hundreds of extinct megafauna hairs demonstrate the value of extracting as much morphological data as possible from ancient hairs prior to destructive sampling for molecular analyses