Critical studies in the Epistle to the Hebrews

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

Modeling the oxygen isotope composition of the Antarctic ice sheet and its significance to Pliocene sea leve

Recent estimates of global mean sea level based on the oxygen isotope composition of mid-Pliocene benthic foraminifera vary from 9 to 21 m above present, which has differing implications for the past stability of the Antarctic ice sheet during an interval with atmospheric CO2 comparable to present. Here we simulate the oxygen isotope composition of the Antarctic ice sheet for a range of configurations using isotope-enabled climate and ice sheet models. We identify which ice-sheet configurations are consistent with the oxygen isotope record and suggest a maximum contribution from Antarctica to the mid-Pliocene sea level highstand of ~13 m. We also highlight that the relationship between the oxygen isotope record and sea level is not constant when ice is lost from deep marine basins, which has important implications for the use of oxygen isotopes as a sea level proxy

Developing SASSA: a Soil Analysis Support System for Archaeologists

A constant problem for field archaeologists is the need for familiarity with the core concepts of a diverse range of specialist disciplines. Soils and sediments are an integral part of archaeological sites, yet the teaching of soils in archaeology degrees is variable and many archaeologists complain they are lacking in the confidence and skills required to describe and interpret the deposits they excavate. SASSA (Soil Analysis Support System for Archaeologists) is a free-to-use, internet based system designed to familiarise archaeologists with the concepts and possibilities offered by geoarchaeology (the scientific study of soils and sediments). SASSA consists of two core components: the knowledge base and field tool. The ‘front-end’ of the website is the knowledge base; this uses Wiki technology to allow users to add their own content and encourage dialogue between archaeologists and geoarchaeologists. Whilst the field tool uses an XML data structure and decision tree, decision support system to guide the user through the process of describing and interpreting soils and sediments. SASSA is designed for use on both ‘static’ (PC) and ‘mobile’ (PDA and laptop) hardware in order to provide in-situ field support as well as offering office-based ‘reference book style’ help. This article introduces the aims of SASSA, presents SASSA as a user might experience it, and discusses the computing technology used to construct the system

The eICU Collaborative Research Database, a freely available multi-center database for critical care research

Critical care patients are monitored closely through the course of their illness. As a result of this monitoring, large amounts of data are routinely collected for these patients. Philips Healthcare has developed a telehealth system, the eICU Program, which leverages these data to support management of critically ill patients. Here we describe the eICU Collaborative Research Database, a multi-center intensive care unit (ICU)database with high granularity data for over 200,000 admissions to ICUs monitored by eICU Programs across the United States. The database is deidentified, and includes vital sign measurements, care plan documentation, severity of illness measures, diagnosis information, treatment information, and more. Data are publicly available after registration, including completion of a training course in research with human subjects and signing of a data use agreement mandating responsible handling of the data and adhering to the principle of collaborative research. The freely available nature of the data will support a number of applications including the development of machine learning algorithms, decision support tools, and clinical research

Shipwreck evidence from Kilwa, Tanzania

Fieldwork was funded by National Geographic Society (NGS) and British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA).This article reports on the artefacts and environment of marine ballast and pottery sites identified through inter-tidal and underwater survey around Kilwa, Tanzania, one of the most important medieval sultanates along the east African coast. An inter-tidal site on the limestone fringing reef on the approaches to Kilwa Kisiwani Harbour and an underwater site within the harbour have been dated from associated pottery to c.8th–10th century and the 13th–16th century respectively. The presence of exotic basalt ballast is discussed as an indicator of wreck-sites.PostprintPeer reviewe

Numerical simulations of a kilometre-thick Arctic ice shelf consistent with ice grounding observations

Recently obtained geophysical data show sets of parallel erosional features on the Lomonosov Ridge in the central Arctic Basin, indicative of ice grounding in water depths up to 1280 m. These features have been interpreted as being formed by an ice shelf—either restricted to the Amerasian Basin (the “minimum model”) or extending across the entire Arctic Basin. Here, we use a numerical ice sheet-shelf model to explore how such an ice shelf could form. We rule out the “minimum model” and suggest that grounding on the Lomonosov Ridge requires complete Arctic ice shelf cover; this places a minimum estimate on its volume, which would have exceeded that of the modern Greenland Ice Sheet. Buttressing provided by an Arctic ice shelf would have increased volumes of the peripheral terrestrial ice sheets. An Arctic ice shelf could have formed even in the absence of a hypothesised East Siberian Ice Sheet

BMI is Associated with the Willingness to Record Diet with a Mobile Food Record among Adults Participating in Dietary Interventions

Image-based dietary assessment methods have the potential to address respondent burden and improve engagement in the task of recording for dietary interventions. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with the willingness of adults to take images of food and beverages using a mobile food record (mFR) application. A combined sample of 212 young adults and 73 overweight and obese adults completed a 4-day mobile food record on two occasions and a follow-up usability questionnaire. About 74% of participants stated they would record using the mFR for a longer period compared with a written record (29.4 ± 69.3 vs. 16.1 ± 42.6 days respectively; p < 0.0005). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify those who were more likely to record mFR in the top tertile (=14 days). After adjusting for age and gender, those with a BMI = 25 were 1.68 times more likely (Odds Ratio 95% Confidence Interval: 1.02-2.77) than those with BMI < 25 to state a willingness to record with the mFR for = 14 days. The greater willingness of overweight and obese individuals to record dietary intake using an mFR needs further examination to determine if this translates to more accurate estimates of energy intake