Skyfall: The Aliens Sequence in Monty Python\u27s Life of Brian

Despite its brevity and science fiction genre, Terry Gilliam\u27s aliens sequence in Monty Python\u27s Life of Brian functions in at least three ways: It is a brilliant parody of Star Wars and other space epics. It addresses concerns that were of profound significance for the religion of Jesus\u27 day and, finally, and it significantly challenges the Christian premise of a divinely ordained purpose underlying Jesus\u27 life. In Memoriam Terry Jones (1942-2020

Investigation of material properties of yttria-stabilised zirconia using experimental techniques and first-principles calculations

Zirconia (ZrO2) exists in a monoclinic phase at ambient temperature and pressure. Increasing the temperature of zirconia brings about a transition from the monoclinic to a tetragonal phase, and then the formation of a cubic phase. Yttria (Y2O3) can be added to zirconia in order to stabilise the high temperature phases, resulting in forms of tetragonal and cubic zirconia that are stable at ambient temperature. These materials are ceramics and are known collectively as yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ). The primary aim of this thesis is to investigate the structural, electronic, vibrational and mechanical properties of zirconia in its three ambient pressure polymorphs, together with YSZ for a range of yttria concentrations. Firstly, short-range order is investigated by medium energy x-ray photoemission spectroscopy for a YSZ sample with 8-9 mol % Y2O3, in combination with first-principles density-functional theory (DFT) calculations for two YSZ structural models with 10.35 mol % Y2O3 and shows that both structural models have short-range order that agrees with results from XPS experiments. Secondly, long-range order is analysed by comparing results of neutron scattering experiments for crystals of the same yttria concentration, with the same two YSZ models. Comparison with calculated vibrational density of states for the two structural models indicates the occurrence of long-range order for one of the structures in agreement with the experimental result. Thirdly, these calculations are extended to a full study of the electronic partial density of states and vibrational density of states for ZrO2, and for YSZ models with 10.35, 14, 17, 20 and 40 mol % Y2O3. Lastly, mechanical properties are investigated through first-principles calculations of the bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio for the three ambient-pressure phases of ZrO2 and compared to existing available experimental results. The ideal strength of cubic ZrO2 is calculated for strains in the [100], [110] and [111] directions and for YSZ with concentrations of 6.67 mol % and 14.29 mol % Y2O3 for strains in the [100] and [110] directions. The ideal strength is also calculated for YSZ with concentration of 6.67 mol % Y2O3 co-doped with titanium, manganese, calcium or nickel

Low energy photoelectron diffraction analysis at high angular resolution of Cu and Mn/Cu surfaces

X-ray photoelectron diffraction simulations using a real-space approach are Shown to accurately produce the extraordinarily detailed photoelectron diffraction pattern from Cu{111} at an electron kinetic energy of 523.5 eV. These same simulations show that most sensitivity is obtained when using low energy electrons at high angular resolution Structural differences are observed to be greatest around a kinetic energy of similar to 100 eV and many of the features observed in the photoelectron diffraction patterns may be directly related to phenomena observed in low energy electron diffraction patterns from the same Surface. For Cu{100}. simulations of buckled surfaces with a Mn overlayer predict that low energy photoelectron diffraction can easily discriminate chemical and structural differences. Even the effects of the relaxed Surface of Cu{100} is indeed observable along azimuthal scans around a kinetic energy of 100 eV Our results show that low energy photoelectron diffraction is extremely sensitive to changes in Surface Structure If high resolution patterns are acquired. © 2009, American Institute of Physics

The crowds in the Gospel of Matthew

Of the three major groups in Matthew's gospel, the disciples, the Jewish leaders and the crowds, it is the last of these, the crowds, which is most ambiguous. While the disposition of the disciples and the Jewish leaders toward Jesus is readily apparent, it is less so with the crowds. They have been characterized as ambivalent in their relationship to Jesus, and this ambivalence is borne out by the fact that some scholars have readily interpreted them in a negative light, others in a more positive light. As neither of these interpretations is especially compelling, the problem of the crowds has reached a critical impasse. It is the intention of this work to resolve this impasse, and explain the ambiguities of Matthew's portrayal, by offering a full-fledged examination of Matthew's understanding of the ὄχλοι. It begins by analyzing Matthew's use of the word ὄχλος, and determines that this word alone is used to refer to the crowds, and denotes a specific group. Matthew does rely on his sources for his portrayal of the crowds, but he has both clarified and stylized the portrayal. When Matthew's contradictory mission directives are analyzed, it emerges that the crowds are Jewish. After defining the crowds, it goes on to examine the crowds' actions and statements. It begins with a discussion of the crowds following of Jesus, and determines that the crowds follow Jesus not out of a "qualitative allegiance", but because they are needy. The crowds' astonishment in the face of Jesus' words and deeds does not indicate commitment on their part, but rather an incipient favourable response to Jesus. Their use of the title "Son of David" indicates a growing insight into Jesus' true nature, but one that ultimately fails to develop. Their designation of Jesus as "a prophet" indicates the inadequacy of their perceptions. It also adumbrates their final rejection of Jesus, a rejection which culminates in their joining with their leaders to accept responsibility for Jesus' death. The reproaches levelled against the crowds by Jesus in chapter 13 do not readily fit in with this portrayal of the crowds of Jesus' day, and are best seen as referring to the experience of Matthew's church. When the crowds are examined in the timeframe of Matthew's church, they are best regarded as Jews, and not members of Matthew's church. They are attracted to the church because of its authority to heal and forgive sins. They attach themselves to the community in large numbers, listen to the church's kerygma, but ultimately fall away when the church loses its thaumaturgic ability. Persecution by the Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees, may have provoked this crisis. After this, the crowds no longer heed the community's message, and appear to fall back under the sway of the Pharisees. Matthew's church reproaches the crowd for its obduracy, and embarks on its mission to all nations. The ambiguity in Matthew's depiction of the crowds is the result of two factors. In his portrayal of the crowds of Jesus' day, the ὄχλοι are used with two contradictory intentions in mind. On the one hand, they are used christologically to enhance the picture of Jesus, and to represent the side of Israel which welcomes its messiah. On the other hand, they are used apologetically, to show how Israel missed its messiah and ended up putting him to death. The second reason for the ambiguity of Matthew's account, is that the crowds sometimes, particularly in Matthew 13, represent the crowds of Matthew's day. This juxtaposition of the two temporal levels produces a refracted picture of the crowds, which also makes them appear ambiguous

Exploring emotional and social competencies in undergraduate students: Perspectives from CALD and non-CALD students

With the internationalisation of higher education, students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds represent a significant proportion of the university student body in Australia. Research literature indicates that the unique cultural and linguistic challenges experienced by these students may adversely impact their academic performance and social integration in university settings. However, less is known about how the socio-emotional competencies of undergraduate CALD and non-CALD domestic English-speaking students compare. This cross-sectional quantitative study compares the emotional and social competencies in a cohort of CALD and non-CALD occupational therapy undergraduates. Data were collected at one Australian university from a group of 360 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) course. Participants completed the Emotional and Social Competency Inventory– University edition (ESCI-U). Multivariate regression analyses were used to compare between CALD and non-CALD students, controlling for students’ year level of study, age, and gender. Key findings from the regression analysis included the observation of indicate that non-CALD students having significant higher scores than CALD students on all the ESCI-U socio-emotional subscales, especially the Emotional Self-control, Achievement Orientation, Empathy and Teamwork from western perspectives. No difference was found between CALD and non-CALD student on two cognitive competencies- systems thinking and pattern recognition. These findings should be interpreted with caution considering CALD students may interpret the questions differently and demonstrate the competencies in different ways. Specific emotional and social competencies that need to be strengthened in students are discussed and recommendations are made to inform the preparation of evidence-based curricula

Identification of Acoustic Emission Sources by Pattern Recognition Techniques

Computer pattern recognition has been used to identify and separate acoustic emission (AE) signals that are similar in appearance but are due to different sources. Simulated joint specimens were tested in the laboratory in which a fatigue crack was grown from the edge of a central loading pin hole. The hardened steel loading pin produced fretting AE by its contact with the 7075 T651 aluminum plate specimens during cyclic loading. The fatigue crack produced AE due to crack growth and to crack face rubbing during load cycling. The AE signals detected at two transducers mounted on opposite sides of the loading pin hole, at 2 in. and 4 in. from the fatigue crack, were digitally recorded at a 5 MHz digitization rate. The waveform features that were extracted from these AE signals and used in the pattern recognition were derived from the frequency spectral content of the waveforms. Better than 90% separation of crack growth from crack face rubbing was achieved using frequency features of the waveforms from either transducer separately. Better than 95% separation of fretting from crack growth or crack face rubbing, separately or combined, was achieved using the ratios of the spectral energies detected at the two transducers

Effect of Temperature and Heat Treatment on Crack Growth Acoustic Emission in 7075 Aluminum

The acoustic emission activity due to crack advance in 7075 aluminum alloys has been found to vary with both temperature and heat treatment. An Increase in temperature or overaging of material in the -T6 condition each reduces the acoustic emission activity by changing the probability of occurrence of acoustic emission events and lowering their amplitudes. These observations suggest that the acoustic emission source mechanism is not inclusion fracture but rather is a property of the ductile matrix

COVID-19 in patients undergoing chronic kidney replacement therapy and kidney transplant recipients in Scotland: findings and experience from the Scottish Renal Registry

BackgroundInfection with the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a worldwide pandemic with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, overwhelming healthcare systems globally. Preliminary reports suggest a high incidence of infection and mortality with SARS-CoV-2 in patients receiving kidney replacement therapy (KRT). The aims of this study are to report characteristics, rates and outcomes of all patients affected by infection with SARS-CoV-2 undergoing KRT in Scotland.MethodsStudy design was an observational cohort study. Data were linked between the Scottish Renal Registry, Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish Intensive Care Society Audit Group national data sets using a unique patient identifier (Community Health Index (CHI)) for each individual by the Public Health and Intelligence unit of Public Health, Scotland. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed.Results During the period 1st March 2020 to 31st May 2020, 110 patients receiving KRT tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 amounting to 2% of the prevalent KRT population. Of those affected, 86 were receiving haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and 24 had a renal transplant. Patients who tested positive were older and more likely to reside in more deprived postcodes. Mortality was high at 26.7% in the dialysis patients and 29.2% in the transplant patients. ConclusionThe rate of detected SARS-CoV-2 in people receiving KRT in Scotland was relatively low but with a high mortality for those demonstrating infection. Although impossible to confirm, it appears that the measures taken within dialysis units coupled with the national shielding policy, have been effective in protecting this population from infection. <br/

Outcomes in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis in Scotland: Validation of the Renal Risk Score in a Complete National Cohort

INTRODUCTION: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) causes autoimmune-mediated inflammation of small blood vessels in multiple organs, including the kidneys. The ability to accurately predict kidney outcomes would enable a more personalized therapeutic approach. METHODS: We used our national renal biopsy registry to validate the ability of ANCA Renal Risk Score (ARRS) to predict end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) for individual patients. This score uses histopathological and biochemical data to stratify patients as high, medium, or low risk for developing ESKD. RESULTS: A total of 288 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study (low risk CONCLUSION: The ARRS better discriminates risk of ESKD in AAV and offers clinicians more prognostic information than the use of standard biochemical and clinical measures alone. This is the first time the ARRS has been validated in a national cohort. The proportion of patients with high-risk scores is lower in our cohort compared to others and should be noted as a limitation of this study