Apocalyptic Visions - Beyond Corporeality

In a world where technology has become the center of the universe, traditional religious teachings regarding the creation or manipulation of human life are at risk. Science and technology challenge and appropriate the divine prerogative to create life, even human life as we know it. In a course called, The Film Experience , I use two films to raise a variety of issues about the creation and manipulation of life. Although this is not a course on religion and film, two of the movies I use are especially good at raising questions about science, religion, and both the creation and manipulation of human life. Will science bring an end to human life as we know it? Is this result of science and technology good or evil

Biogeochemical applications of compound-specific radiocarbon analysis

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution October 1999Compound-specific carbon isotopic (δ13C and Δ14C) data are reported for lipid biomarkers isolated from Santa Monica Basin (SMB) and Santa Barbara Basin (SBB) surface sediments. These organic compounds represent phytoplanktonic, zooplanktonic, bacterial, archaeal, terrestrial, and fossil carbon sources. The lipids include long-chain n-alkanes, fatty acids (as FAMEs), n-alcohols, C30 mid-chain ketols and diols, sterols, hopanols, and ether-linked C4o-biphytanes of Archaea. The data show that the carbon source for most of the biomarkers is marine euphotic zone primary production or subsequent heterotrophic consumption of this biomass. Two lipid classes represent exceptions to this finding. Δ14C values for the n-alkanes are consistent with mixed fossil and contemporary terrestrial plant sources. The archaeal isoprenoid data reflect chemoautotrophic growth below the euphotic zone. The biomarker class most clearly representing marine phytoplanktonic production is the sterols. It is suggested, therefore, that the sterols could serve as paleoceanographic tracers for surface-water DIC. The isotopic data are used to construct two algebraic models. The first calculates the contributions of fossil and modem vascular plant carbon to 5MB n-alkanes. This model indicates that the Δ14C of the modern component is +235% (post-bomb) or 0% (pre-bomb). The second model uses these values to determine the origin of sedimentary TOC. The results are comparable to estimates based on other approaches and suggest that ~60% of SMB TOC is of marine origin, modern terrestrial and fossil sources contribute ~10% each, and the remaining ~20% is of unknown origin.This work was supported by National Science Foundation grants to T. I. Eglinton (OCE-94l5568, OCE-9809624, OCE-9708478), a National Institute of Standards and Technology contract to T. I. Eglinton (43NANB615740), and the NOSAMS National Science Foundation cooperative agreements (OCE-930l0l5, OCE-9807266). I received support from an MIT Ida Green Graduate Student Fellowship and a US EPA STAR Graduate Student Fellowship

Gesture in Karnatak Music: Pedagogy and Musical Structure in South India

This thesis presents an examination of gesture in Karnatak music, the art music of South India. The topic is approached from two perspectives; the first considers Karnatak music structure from a gestural perspective, looking both at the music itself and at the gestures that create it, while the second enquires into the role played by physical gesture in vocal pedagogy. The broader aims of the thesis are to provide insight into the musical structure of the Karnatak style, and to contribute to wider discourses on connections between music and movement. An interdisciplinary approach to the research is taken, drawing on theories and methods from the fields of ethnomusicology, embodied music cognition, and gesture studies. The first part of the thesis opens with a discussion of differences between practical and theoretical conceptions of the Karnatak style. I argue for the significance in practice of svara-gamaka units and longer motifs formed of chains of such units, and also consider the gestural qualities of certain motifs and their contribution to bhāva (mood). Subsequently, I present a joint musical and motoric analysis of a section of Karnatak violin performance, seeking to elucidate the dynamic processes that form the style. The second part of the thesis enquires into the role played by hand gestures produced by teachers and students in vocal lessons, looking at what is indexed by the gestures and how such indexing contributes to the pedagogic process. This part of the thesis also considers how gestures contribute to the formation and maintenance of common ground between teacher and student. The final chapter brings the two strands of this thesis together to discuss the connections that exist between musical and physical gesture in Karnatak music

JULIAN’S MARTYRS: REPRESENTATIONS IN THE SYNAXARION

This thesis explores the legacy of the Emperor Julian “the Apostate” (reigned 361-363), represented through the lens of Orthodox hagiography and iconography. Relying upon conventional hagiographic themes, the Eastern Church articulated and preserved through accounts of Julian’s saints an image of the Emperor divergent from the one he would project. Rather than a champion of religious freedom, he is represented as an Emperor whose apostasy led to paganism, idolatry and sacrifice, and correspondingly, to moral heroism, martyrdom and suffering Christian witness in response. Through Julian’s martyrs as represented in the 1998 Synaxarion, the experience of suffering and the significance of this witness axe examined. The argument shows how Julian’s policy was turned to the Church’s advantage in a subversion executed in fine theological detail. Julian’s central legacy is found in a Christian calendar commemorating saints who opposed him, and who ensure his perpetual remembrance as a persecutor of the Church

Electrochemical techniques for detection of Tnt and other explosives using disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes

Nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives have been found in the soil and water from many government military bases due to improper storage, weapons testing and production. Run-off from contaminated soil and water can enter underground water and potentially contaminate drinking water for near-by communities. With the closing of military bases throughout the U.S. and Europe, contamination will need to be assessed and remediated before the land and water can be used again for other purposes. The use of a fast and inexpensive field screening technique can save time and money typically incurred during intensive laboratory analysis of clean samples; Screen-printed thick film electrodes are examined as voltammetric sensors for measurement of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), and Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). The square wave voltammetric (SWV) scan technique can be used to measure TNT and RDX in as little as 50 muL sample volumes applied to the electrode surface within minutes. The detection limit of this electrochemical assay can also be significantly improved by coupling it with a solid phase extraction (SPE) protocol using Empore SDB-RPS membranes. The simple, rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive characteristics of this assay make it an excellent candidate for development as a field analytical method for onsite explosives detection. This research project successfully developed a new method to examine the capabilities, use and optimization of screen-printed carbon electrodes for detection of TNT, RDX and metabolites from various matrices

Master of Science

thesisPrevious studies have reported that maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), and child birth weight are positively associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors. Physical activity and dietary habits may play a role in reducing these risk factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of prepregnancy BMI, GWG, child birth weight, physical activity, and dietary habits with metabolic dysfunction. Participants (n=124) included obese children and adolescents aged 8-17. In a fasted state, serum glucose, serum insulin, and a complete lipid profile were obtained. Anthropometrics, including body weight, height, and waist circumference, blood pressure, and self-reported survey responses were assessed as well. The chi-squared and Mantel-Haenzel test statistic were used to examine the differences in proportions for the outcome of metabolic dysfunction. In this sample, 76.9% of children and adolescents had metabolic dysfunction. Child birth weight was positively correlated (p=0.033) with a diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction. Sedentary behavior was positively related (p=0.015) with metabolic dysfunction; however, physical activity levels were not. Contrary to previous studies, prepregnancy BMI and GWG were not correlated with a diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction. More research is needed to determine the relationship between prepregnancy BMI, GWG, and child birth weight. These findings support the need for lifestyle interventions in obese children and adolescents, particularly in reducing sedentary behaviors in this population

Discouraging the use of single-use plastics through graphic design strategies

Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, have become entrenched in the daily lives of college students across the country. Whether it is a plastic bag from grocery shopping, a stirrer from a morning coffee, a clamshell container for that convenient on-the-go lunch, or even a simple straw — these easily overlooked and thrown away items begin to add up. Despite advertisements for more sustainable products like metal straws, re-usable shopping bags, and ceramic coffee containers, the convenient plastic options are still being used. Despite news articles regularly showing the damage caused by plastic pollution (images of floating garbage or injured sea turtles most likely come to mind), apathy towards environmental issues continues to rise. The goal of this project is to identify an on-going, complicated issue such as the problem of single-use plastic usage, to investigate the issue by reviewing literature on the topic, and then to respond to the issue through design experiments. These experiments are intended to engage a potential audience with the issue of plastics in new ways that may encourage behavioral changes and at the very least encourage personal habits to be questioned. Methodology from packaging design, product design, interaction design, and video game design are used to present a message against the usage of single-use plastics

Innovating with Technology: The Impact of Overload, Autonomy, and Work and Family Conflict

Innovation with information technology (IT) helps companies gain more from their IT investment. IT innovation by individuals can be affected by many factors (such as overload, autonomy, and work / family conflict) and developing a better understanding of these factors can help managers make better decisions about the work environment. Using Partial Least Squares (PLS) to analyze data collected via an online survey from the Pan-Pacific region (n = 233), we found that education, number of extended family members responsible for, and autonomy (work method and work criteria) had a significant effect on trying to innovate with IT. Interestingly, we found that neither work-family conflict nor family-work conflict had a significant direct effect on trying to innovate with IT. Our study found only partial support for previous studies that suggested gender was a significant moderator between perceived overload, autonomy and trying to innovate with information technology. The results of this study are important to both practitioners and researchers as they raise important questions about potential impediments to individual innovation with technology