194 research outputs found
Microscopic theory of network glasses
A molecular theory of the glass transition of network forming liquids is
developed using a combination of self-consistent phonon and liquid state
approaches. Both the dynamical transition and the entropy crisis characteristic
of random first order transitions are mapped out as a function of the degree of
bonding and the density. Using a scaling relation for a soft-core model to
crudely translate the densities into temperatures, the theory predicts that the
ratio of the dynamical transition temperature to the laboratory transition
temperature rises as the degree of bonding increases, while the Kauzmann
temperature falls relative to the laboratory transition. These results indicate
why highly coordinated liquids should be "strong" while van der Waals liquids
without coordination are "fragile".Comment: slightly revised version that has been accepted for publication in
Phys. Rev. Let
Art and the Approval of Nature: Philosophical Reflections on Tom Roberts, Holiday Sketch at Coogee (1888)
This paper, based on a talk given at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, is presented as an example of philosophy done in an art gallery. Its subject is Tom Robertsâ painting Holiday Sketch at Coogee (1888), and as well as responding directly to the painting in the environment of the gallery, it draws on the author's memories of seeing that painting in other times and places. It draws on these personal experiences to relate Robertsâ painting to a controversial idea laid out by art historian Heinrich Wölfflin, and to more recent conventionalist and resemblance theories of pictorial representation. It finishes by affirming one of Robertsâ important achievements: his discarding of inherited European ways of pictureâmaking, and his place among the first generation of nonâindigenous artists to represent the real colours of the Australian landscape
On the identification of folium by SERS: from crude extracts to illuminated codices
The ancient purple dye known as folium is still a mystery for both scientists and art historians. Today, it is commonly assumed that folium was produced from the fruits of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) A. Juss., a plant belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, and efforts have been mainly devoted to highlight the analytical features of the dyes extracted from this plant, whereas detection in ancient manuscripts has been mainly based on poorly selective, non-invasive analytical techniques. As a consequence, the possibility that the actual source for the dye could have been so far misunderstood cannot be excluded. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a highly selective and sensitive analytical technique, has been used here to characterize both extracts from C.\u2009tinctoria and a microsample taken from a medieval manuscript. The behaviour of the dyes as SERS probes has been investigated in order to set up an accurate and selective procedure for the identification of the dye in ancient artworks.
By unambiguously detecting the dye by SERS in the microsample of the medieval manuscript, we also demonstrated that the purple dye mentioned in ancient treatises is definitely linked with the aqueous extract from purple fruits of C.\u2009tinctoria
Exploring Pompeii: discovering hospitality through research synergy
Hospitality research continues to broaden through an ever-increasing dialogue and alignment with a greater number of academic disciplines. This paper demonstrates how an enhanced understanding of hospitality can be achieved through synergy between archaeology, the classics and sociology. It focuses on classical Roman life, in particular Pompeii, to illustrate the potential for research synergy and collaboration, to advance the debate on hospitality research and to encourage divergence in research approaches. It demonstrates evidence of commercial hospitality activities through the excavation hotels, bars and taverns, restaurants and fast food sites. The paper also provides an example of the benefits to be gained from multidisciplinary analysis of hospitality and tourism
âTo the land or to the sea' : diet and mobility in early medieval Frisia
This study investigated palaeodiet and population mobility in early medieval Frisia through the stable isotope analysis of individuals buried in the fifthâeighth century AD cemetery of Oosterbeintum, a terp site on the northern coast of the Netherlands. The results cast new light on the role of the northern Netherlands in trade and migration in the early medieval period, and have significance for the study of interaction and movement throughout the wider North Sea region. Bone collagen and tooth enamel from humans and animals were analyzed using carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium isotopes. ÎŽ13C and ÎŽ15N results indicated that the population had a terrestrial, C3-based diet. High ÎŽ15N values were observed in humans and fauna, which are probably related to the terp's salt-marsh location. The ÎŽ18O and 87Sr/86Sr data revealed a high proportion of non-locals buried at Oosterbeintum, some of whom had probably migrated from regions as distant and varied as Scandinavia and southern England. It is suggested that this immigration may be associated with Frisian maritime trading activities. New data are also presented from a small number of contemporaneous European sites
Characterization of Color Production in XallaÂŽs Palace Complex, Teotihuacan
A multi-analytical approach was used to characterize color remains from Xalla, a Teotihuacan palace complex (project Teotihuacan, Elite and Government. Excavations in Xalla led by Linda R. Manzanilla). Color samples were obtained from polished lithic instruments and pigment ores. Those samples were analyzed combining microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Our results coincide with previous studies in Teotihuacan, with the chromatic palette displaying a predominance of iron oxides such as hematite, yellow ochre and natural earths, as well as malachite, celadonite and glauconite. We have enlarged the corpus of raw materials with the characterization of jarosite and bone white and mica as aggregate. The identification of raw materials crossed with functional analysis of polished lithic artefacts suggests a production and application process for the pigmenting materials that were divided in four phases, from the crushing of the raw material to the application and finishing of the painted surfaces
Ritual plants of Muslim graveyards in northern Israel
This article surveys the botanical composition of 40 Muslim graveyards in northern Israel, accompanied by an ethnobotanical study of the folkloristic traditions of the use of these plants in cemeteries. Three groups of plants were found to be repeated systematically and were also recognized for their ritual importance: aromatics herbs (especially Salvia fruticosa and Rosmarinus officinalis), white flowered plants (mainly Narcissus tazetta, Urginea maritima, Iris spp. and Pancratium spp.) and Cupressus sempervirens as the leading cemetery tree. As endemic use we can indicate the essential role of S. fruticosa as the main plant used in all human rites of passage symbolizing the human life cycle. The rosemary is of European origin while the use of basil is of Indian influence. The use of white flowers as cemeteries plants reflects an old European influence and almost the same species are used or their congeners. Most of the trees and shrubs that are planted in Muslim cemeteries in Israel have the same use in ancient as well in modern European cultures. In conclusion, our findings on the occurrence of plants in graveyards reflect the geographic situation of Israel as a crossroads in the cultural arena between Asia and Europe. Most of the traditions are common to the whole Middle East showing high relatedness to the classical world as well as to the present-day Europe
Plinii Secundi, quae fertur una cum Gargilii Martialis, Medicina,
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