Strange fire: John Howe (1630-1705) and the alienation and fragmentation of later Stuart Dissent

Any attempt to understand fully the roots and decline of English Dissent must address theological issues. Crucial to the enterprise will be an approach which describes a spectrum of theological emphases. This thesis will propose a detailed theological model which employs an ecclesiological spectrum mapping relative stress on the visible or invisible church. When this model is applied to the later Stuart period the importance of John Howe (1630-1705) becomes evident. Howe's life spanned a time of considerable disruption. His family was affected by Laud's policies, he became a minister during the Interregnum and his career lasted into Anne's reign. His significance has been masked by a hagiographical tradition and the fascination of historians with Richard Baxter. Howe's Platonist philosophical roots led him to emphasise the transcendence of God and, accordingly, the invisible Church. He was active in Nonconformist affairs during the 1680s. He entered controversies sparked by "latitudinarians" Tillotson and Stillingfleet and maintained important contacts among dissident groups. He built a sophisticated theological case for unity which hinged on Christian charity. Howe was the crucial figure in Dissent following the Toleration Act of 1689. An analysis of Howe's career and writings establishes the theological model proposed in this thesis. By this, in turn, the continuity of Dissent with "Puritanism" can be validly identified. Howe's influence on later Dissent was considerable, arguably greater than that of either John Locke or Baxter. His emphasis on the invisible Church relegated uniformity and structure. An increasing "bias to the invisible" was a factor in the alienation and fragmentation of later Stuart Dissent

Peroxisome proliferators-activated alpha agonist treatment ameliorates hepatic damage in rats with obstructive jaundice: an experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) activation modulates cholesterol metabolism and suppresses bile acid synthesis. This study aims to evaluate the effect of short-term administration of fenofibrate, a PPARα agonist, on proinflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and hepatocellular damage in cholestasis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: I = sham operated, II = bile duct ligation (BDL), III = BDL + vehicle (gum Arabic), IV = BDL + fenofibrate (100 mg/kg/day). All rats were sacrificed on 7^thday after obtaining blood samples and liver tissue. Total bilirubin, aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase, (GGT), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 β), and total bile acid (TBA) in serum, and liver damage scores; portal inflammation, necrosis, bile duct number, in liver tissue were evaluated. Apoptosis in liver was also assessed by immunohistochemical staining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fenofibrate administration significantly reduced serum total bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT, TNF-α, IL-1 β levels, and TBA (<it>P </it>< 0.01). Hepatic portal inflammation, hepatic necrosis, number of the bile ducts and apoptosis in rats with BDL were more prominent than the sham-operated animals (<it>P </it>< 0.01). PPARα induction improved all histopathologic parameters (<it>P </it>< 0.01), except for the number of the bile duct, which was markedly increased by fenofibrate therapy (<it>P </it>< 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Short-term administration of fenofibrate to the BDL rats exerts beneficial effects on hepatocellular damage and apoptosis.</p

A practical study of visual culture conveyance

World Conference on Design, Arts and Education (DAE) -- MAY 01-04, 2012 -- Antalya, TURKEYWOS: 000316256000114It is important to sustain and convey our visual culture to future generations through visual arts education. Visual Arts Educators should set the goal of including especially this in their curricula. Fundamentally, it is also necessary to direct the Fine Arts Teacher candidates in this area. For this reason, in this research, a practical study with respect to comprehension of visual culture and conveyance to pupils was conducted by the visual arts teacher candidates(18 students from 3rd year of University) receiving fine arts education. A qualitative approach, the Action Research method was used in the research. The effects of the applications are presented as data organized into tables. In addition to questions asked of candidates about visual culture, they were required to read and investigate articles to ensure awareness in their thinking with respect to visual culture. Later, for each student a folkloric symbol relating to the local traditional attire and culture for each province has been established. Using only paper, a three dimensional composition consisting of folkloric male-female attires together with that province's symbol was formed. For each application an example course plan was prepared for primary school pupils. Sharing with other study group students were achieved through in-class presentations. Assessment, developed on the basis of criteria formed by expert opinions, was applied. According to the findings organized into tables, visual culture awareness was accomplished. Compositions have contributed to their consciousness. They have discovered different techniques with limited materials. With the assistance of in-class presentations each teacher candidate has learned the examples of varied visual cultures. It was concluded that visual culture could be conveyed to future generations through education. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer review under responsibility of Prof. Ayse Cakir Ilha