Building Middle-earth: an Exploration into the uses of Architecture in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien

Many aspects of Tolkien\u27s Middle-earth have been the attention of scholarly interest since the boom of \u27Tolkien studies\u27 but an area that seems to be lacking in criticism, but is certainly full of detail and character in Tolkien\u27s books, is architecture. This essay explores how important the creation of buildings and living spaces in Middle-earth is to the underlying messages of the tale and how the architecture of Middle-earth impacts the reader\u27s journey. This essay starts as we the reader does - in a hole - and explores the way that architecture is used to help explain hobbits, show their character and the growing map of the Shire. Architecture is also shown to be a technique used by Tolkien as a way of reorienting the reader between the real and the imaginary. Architecture is then used as a comparative point between the men of Rohan and those of Gondor, showing their cultural preoccupations and the significances of these. Finally, this essay wanders through the unusual architecture of the elves, specifically in Lothlorien, demonstrating that despite West Minster Abbey\u27s impressive design, it is the home of Lady Galadriel which is the truest embodiment of Gothic principles, and why this relationship between elves and trees holds a particular significance for Tolkien

Used infant mattresses and sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland: case-control study

<P>OBJECTIVE: To examine the proposition that a used infant mattress is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Scotland (population 5.1 million, with about 53 000 births a year).</P> <P>PARTICIPANTS: 131 infants who died of sudden infant death syndrome between 1 January 1996 and 31 May 2000 and 278 age, season, and obstetric unit matched control infants.</P> <P>MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Routine use of an infant mattress previously used by another child and place of last sleep.</P> <P>RESULTS: Routine use of an infant mattress previously used by another child was significantly associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (multivariate odds ratio 3.07, 95% confidence interval 1.51 to 6.22). Use of a used infant mattress for last sleep was also associated with increased risk (6.10, 2.31 to 16.12). The association was significantly stronger if the mattress was from another home (4.78, 2.08 to 11.0) than if it was from the same home (1.64, 0.64 to 4.2).</P> <P>CONCLUSION: A valid significant association exists between use of a used infant mattress and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome, particularly if the mattress is from another home. Insufficient evidence is available to judge whether this relation is cause and effect.</P&gt

Gove is right: our antiquated court system produces two-nation justice

Reform is needed in England's court system

Teachers\u27 Perceptions of Their Preparation to Choose and Implement Effective Methods for Teaching Emergent Readers.

Reading is not an easily learned skill for most students. I chose to look at the methodology being used by teachers in East Tennessee to instruct emerging readers. Through my review of literature, I researched reading approaches implemented in American classrooms in the last 150 years. I compared and contrasted data to determine current researchers\u27 findings concerning the most effective techniques for teaching reading and how teachers have implemented this knowledge base into their teaching strategies. Teachers cannot teach what they do not know. Therefore, I also researched literature addressing the growing concern among educators with teachers\u27 preparation and professional development opportunities as well as the amount of specific preparation teachers received regarding the reading methods they are using. After compiling the data from my interviews with 30 East Tennessee first-grade teachers, I found that most said they did not feel adequately prepared to teach emergent readers. These teachers reported they had not had instruction that provided foundations in a wide range of research-based approaches to reading. The professional development offerings for teachers already in the classroom were often sporadic and did not compensate for their lack of preparation in college. There is a need for colleges and universities to re-evaluate the current teacher preparation programs. School systems should strive to provide quality inservice opportunities for instructors of emergent readers as well as hiring reading coaches or specialists to assist the reading instructors

Detailed Study of Integral Abutment Bridges and Performance of Bridge Joints in Traditional Bridges

Integral Abutment Bridges (IABs) are jointless bridges in which the superstructure is cast monolithically with its substructure. Eliminating expansion joints from the superstructure reduces corrosion of bridge elements that typically result from leaking joints in traditional bridges. IABs have proven to be cost effective for both construction and life-cycle analysis. As a result, they are the standard single span highway bridge of choice by the majority of State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) across the country. Despite the widespread use of these bridges, there are no uniform guidelines in place. Factors such as pile orientation, design assumptions, maximum span length, skew angle, and curvature vary widely. A study of expansion joint performance was done to investigate typical problems with joints through information collected from meetings with Massachusetts DOT as well as survey results collected from DOT personnel from nine states in and around New England. Results highlight the many issues associated with expansion joints which have resulted in the preference to construct IABs whenever possible. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) instrumented three IABs of increasing complexity for long term monitoring and analysis of their performance. The bridges include a straight bridge with 141 ft (43 m) span, a 15 degree skew bridge with 121 ft (37 m) span, and a two-span continuous curved structure with 11.25 degrees of curvature and 221 ft (68 m) total bridge length. This dissertation presents over five years of field data. Results are compared with three-dimensional finite element model predictions. Variations in response due to skew, curvature, and field conditions are addressed. The finite element models were the basis for a parametric study investigating the effect of pile orientation on IABs of varying length and skew angle. Results highlight the factors that affect optimal pile orientation to avoid pile yielding

A Critical Study of The Works of Sir James M. Barrie In Relation To His Life

The present study is offered as an impartial endeavor to interpret Barrie’s works in relation to his life. His literary achievements have been taken up as to the three types of writing and as far as possible in a chronological order within the type being discussed

Letter from Eliza H. Brooke to James B. Finley

Finley\u27s daughter Eliza misses her parents a great deal. She talks about her children James and Charles. She looks forward to a time when they will all meet in the place where parting will be no more. Abstract Number - 19https://digitalcommons.owu.edu/finley-letters/1018/thumbnail.jp

A "Starless" Core that Isn't: Detection of a Source in the L1014 Dense Core with the Spitzer Space Telescope

We present observations of L1014, a dense core in the Cygnus region previously thought to be starless, but data from the Spitzer Space Telescope show the presence of an embedded source. We propose a model for this source that includes a cold core, heated by the interstellar radiation field, and a low-luminosity internal source. The low luminosity of the internal source suggests a substellar object. If L1014 is representative, other "starless" cores may turn out to harbor central sources