The Goddess: Myths of the Great Mother

The Goddess is all around us: Her face is reflected in the burgeoning new growth of every ensuing spring; her power is evident in the miracle of conception and childbirth and in the newborn’s cry as it searches for the nurturing breast; we glimpse her in the alluring beauty of youth, in the incredible power of sexual attraction, in the affection of family gatherings, and in the gentle caring of loved ones as they leave the mortal world. The Goddess is with us in the everyday miracles of life, growth, and death which always have surrounded us and always will, and this ubiquity speaks to the enduring presence and changing masks of the universal power people have always recognized in their lives. Such power is the Goddess, at least in part, and through its workings we may occasionally catch a glimpse of the divine.https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/books/1094/thumbnail.jp

Gods, Heroes, & Kings: The Battle for Mythic Britain

The islands of Britain have been a crossroads of gods, heroes, and kings-those of flesh as well as those of myth-for thousands of years. Successive waves of invasion brought distinctive legends, rites, and beliefs. The ancient Celts displaced earlier indigenous peoples, only to find themselves displaced in turn by the Romans, who then abandoned the islands to Germanic tribes, a people themselves nearly overcome in time by an influx of Scandinavians. With each wave of invaders came a battle for the mythic mind of the Isles as the newcomer\u27s belief system met with the existing systems of gods, legends, and myths.In Gods, Heroes, and Kings, medievalist Christopher Fee and veteran myth scholar David Leeming unearth the layers of the British Isles\u27 unique folkloric tradition to discover how this body of seemingly disparate tales developed. The authors find a virtual battlefield of myths in which pagan and Judeo-Christian beliefs fought for dominance, and classical, Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, and Celtic narrative threads became tangled together. The resulting body of legends became a strange but coherent hybrid, so that by the time Chaucer wrote The Wife of Bath\u27s Tale in the fourteenth century, a Christian theme of redemption fought for prominence with a tripartite Celtic goddess and the Arthurian legends of Sir Gawain-itself a hybrid mythology.Without a guide, the corpus of British mythology can seem impenetrable. Taking advantage of the latest research, Fee and Leeming employ a unique comparative approach to map the origins and development of one of the richest folkloric traditions. Copiously illustrated with excerpts in translation from the original sources,Gods, Heroes, and Kings provides a fascinating and accessible new perspective on the history of British mythology. [From the publisher]https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/books/1066/thumbnail.jp

Striving for Higher University World Rankings: The Role of the Language Centre

There has been a long discussion in academia about crucial competencies of university graduates and factors which particular universities manage to perform better in the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE World University Ranking) or Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU, also called Shanghai Ranking) than the others. The role of university language centres (LC) has not been explored in this context, till now. This paper deals with a role of LCs as homes not only to language instruction but also as workplaces through which universities may become more successful institutions in terms of the rankings. A meaningful language policy (LP) is thus closely related to the future development of LCs beyond their current perceived role of a university language centre. This paper gives examples of language policy implementation steps while building on marketing principles for addressing target audience needs and communication. Drawing on the higher education institutions (HEI) priorities in terms of university rankings, the LCs´ natural role is to foster university communication culture, conditions for successful internalization and readiness to effectively communicate research results. The process of language policy implementation at the Language Centre of the University of Pardubice may provide an insight into the practice of a middle-size institution and illustrate the workplace emancipation process within an HE institution. Attention will be paid to general EU context as well as to tangible experience, implications of which may go beyond the limited space of one institution

A Case Study into Learner Engagement in the Production of OERs within an Online Language Environment

This case study demonstrates examples of how open practices and resources can be used to effectively engage language learners in the learning process. The case focuses on a small group of Spanish Open University learners (Beginners Spanish programme - L194 Portales) that began their language course in October 2012. The case shows a successful way of using the forums as a ‘portal’ for distance learners to interact, create, share and cooperate in the Virtual Learning Environments, and argues how the method employed enhances the learning experience. It also illustrates how the learners actively used the target language in their interactions which then gave them confidence to build upon their language skills. It also illustrates how the learners actively used the target language in their interactions which gave them confidence to build upon their language skills. Furthermore the case study offers the reader a model to embed into their own practice, and explains the organisational considerations behind the results should practitioners choose to replicate the methodology. It concludes by postulating that OERs can offer a real opportunity to create a strong sense of learner autonomy by encouraging the learners to become engaged in the activity of creating their own authentic materials

People First Network : E-mails par radio aux îles Salomon

Au niveau de la connectivité rurale dans les pays du Pacifique, un projet prouve qu’il existe une alternative aux solutions qui dépendent de manière structurelle d’aides financières gouvernementales et de subventions des agences donatrices. Aux îles Salomon, le People First Network (PFnet) explore de nouvelles voies en expérimentant un modèle de télécommunications basé sur le courrier électronique par ondes radio et la propriété collective. Axé sur la facilitation des communications, la création de réseaux et la diffusion d’informations pour le développement rural et la consolidation de la paix, ce projet a mis en place un réseau de courrier électronique par ondes radio haute fréquence (HF), ainsi qu'un cybercafé central dans la capitale, Honiara, destiné à générer des revenus, et un portail Internet sur le développement (www.peoplefirst.net.sb). La stratégie de ce projet est de créer dans tout le pays de nombreux sites de base proposant uniquement un accès au courrier électronique par l’intermédiaire d’un opérateur, et de leur permettre de devenir des cybercafés, voire des télécentres à part entière pour répondre aux besoins de la population locale. Les sites d’accès sont gérés par des comités de village, qui désignent les opérateurs et sont impliqués dans la gestion. Ils collaborent avec PFnet pour faire connaître cette structure et les avantages qu'elle présente, au sein de toute la communauté, y compris parmi les femmes, les écoles de commerce, les professionnels de santé et les paysans. Cette initiative a contribué a créer uneImaginez l’étonnement de ces paysans recevant des informations sur la meilleure manière de traiter les maladies men

Bisphosphonates alter trabecular bone collagen cross-linking and isomerization in beagle dog vertebra

Changes in organic matrix may contribute to the anti-fracture efficacy of anti-remodeling agents. Following one year of treatment in beagle dogs, bisphosphonates alter the organic matrix of vertebral trabecular bone, while raloxifene had no effect. These results show that pharmacological suppression of turnover alters the organic matrix component of bone. INTRODUCTION: The collagen matrix contributes significantly to a bone's fracture resistance yet the effects of anti-remodeling agents on collagen properties are unclear. The goal of this study was to assess changes in collagen cross-linking and isomerization following anti-remodeling treatment. METHODS: Skeletally mature female beagles were treated for one year with oral doses of vehicle (VEH), risedronate (RIS; 3 doses), alendronate (ALN; 3 doses), or raloxifene (RAL; 2 doses). The middle dose of RIS and ALN and the lower dose of RAL approximate doses used for treatment of post menopausal osteoporosis. Vertebral trabecular bone matrix was assessed for collagen isomerization (ratio of alpha/beta C-telopeptide [CTX]), enzymatic (pyridinoline [PYD] and deoxypyridinoline [DPD]), and non-enzymatic (pentosidine [PEN]) cross-links. RESULTS: All doses of both RIS and ALN increased PEN (+34-58%) and the ratio of PYD/DPD (+14-26%), and decreased the ratio of alpha/beta CTX (-29-56%) compared to VEH. RAL did not alter any collagen parameters. Bone turnover rate was significantly correlated to PEN (R = -0.664), alpha/beta CTX (R = 0.586), and PYD/DPD (R = -0.470). CONCLUSIONS: Bisphosphonate treatment significantly alters properties of bone collagen suggesting a contribution of the organic matrix to the anti-fracture efficacy of this drug class.The authors thank Dr. Keith Condon, Diana Jacob, Mary Hooser, and Lauren Waugh for histological preparation. This work was supported by NIH Grants AR047838 and AR007581 and research grants from The Alliance for Better Bone Health (Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and sanofi-aventis), and Lilly Research Laboratories, as well as an unrestricted grant from Eli Lilly to INSERM. Merck and Co. kindly provided the alendronate. This investigation utilized an animal facility constructed with support from Research Facilities Improvement Program Grant Number C06 RR10601-01 from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health

Concurrent right atrial myxoma with visceral haemangiosarcoma in a dog

A 10-year-old crossbreed (labradoodle) was presented with an acute history of vomiting and diarrhoea, with supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular premature complexes. Physical examination revealed mild tachycardia, but no significant abnormalities otherwise. Investigations with echocardiogram and computed tomography identified a right atrial mass, nodular interstitial lung pattern, multiple nodules throughout the hepatic parenchyma and peritoneal effusion. Abdominocentesis confirmed a haemoabdomen. Treatment was declined and the dog was euthanased the same day. Histopathology of the cardiac mass confirmed a cardiac myxoma, which stained Alcian blue-positive, demonstrating the mucin content of the tumour. The hepatic lesions were factor VIII-positive, consistent with a visceral haemangiosarcoma

An index to track the ecological effects of drought development and recovery on riverine invertebrate communities

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd In rivers, the ecological effects of drought typically result in gradual adjustments of invertebrate community structure and functioning, punctuated by sudden changes as key habitats, such as wetted channel margins, become dewatered and dry. This paper outlines the development and application of a new index (Drought Effect of Habitat Loss on Invertebrates – DEHLI) to quantify the effects of drought on instream macroinvertebrate communities by assigning weights to taxa on the basis of their likely association with key stages of channel drying. Two case studies are presented, in which the DEHLI index illustrates the ecological development of drought conditions and subsequent recovery. These examples demonstrate persistent drought effects months or several years after river flows recovered. Results derived using DEHLI are compared with an established macroinvertebrate flow velocity-reactive index (Lotic-invertebrate Index for Flow Evaluation – LIFE score) and demonstrates its greater sensitivity to drought conditions. Data from a number of rivers in south east England were used to calibrate a statistical model, which was then used to examine the response of DEHLI and LIFE to a hypothetical multi-year drought. This demonstrated a difference in response between sampling seasons, with the spring model indicating a lagged response due to delayed recolonisation and the autumn model differentiating habitat loss and flow velocity-driven responses. The application of DEHLI and the principles which underlie it allow the effects of drought on instream habitats and invertebrates associated with short or long term weather patterns to be monitored, whilst also allowing the identification of specific locations where intervention via river restoration, or revision of existing abstraction licensing, may be required to increase resilience to the effect of anthropogenic activities exacerbated by climate change

COVID-19 risk-mitigation in reopening mass events: population-based observational study for the UK Events Research Programme in Liverpool City Region

OBJECTIVES: To understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission risks, perceived risks and the feasibility of risk mitigations from experimental mass cultural events before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions were lifted. DESIGN: Prospective, population-wide observational study. SETTING: Four events (two nightclubs, an outdoor music festival and a business conference) open to Liverpool City Region UK residents, requiring a negative lateral flow test (LFT) within the 36 h before the event, but not requiring social distancing or face-coverings. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 12,256 individuals attending one or more events between 28 April and 2 May 2021. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SARS-CoV-2 infections detected using audience self-swabbed (5-7 days post-event) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, with viral genomic analysis of cases, plus linked National Health Service COVID-19 testing data. Audience experiences were gathered via questionnaires, focus groups and social media. Indoor CO2 concentrations were monitored. RESULTS: A total of 12 PCR-positive cases (likely 4 index, 8 primary or secondary), 10 from the nightclubs. Two further cases had positive LFTs but no PCR. A total of 11,896 (97.1%) participants with scanned tickets were matched to a negative pre-event LFT: 4972 (40.6%) returned a PCR within a week. CO2 concentrations showed areas for improving ventilation at the nightclubs. Population infection rates were low, yet with a concurrent outbreak of >50 linked cases around a local swimming pool without equivalent risk mitigations. Audience anxiety was low and enjoyment high. CONCLUSIONS: We observed minor SARS-CoV-2 transmission and low perceived risks around events when prevalence was low and risk mitigations prominent. Partnership between audiences, event organisers and public health services, supported by information systems with real-time linked data, can improve health security for mass cultural events