Dance Competitions and Recitals as Collectively Accomplished Events: An Ethnographic Study of Amateur Dance

This thesis presents a qualitative analysis of organized amateur dance participation as an example of human group life. Organized amateur dance typically occurs within a studio or school setting and is differentiated from professional dance by the lack of monetary compensation provided to performers. Consequently, this thesis considers the dance studio as an arena for pursuing hobby-based interests and activities, as well as notions of providing entertainment as entertainment in and of itself. Using a symbolic interactionist theoretical perspective in conjunction with ethnographic methodology, this thesis analyzes the centrality of performance among amateur dance participants, related to group-based definitions of competitions and recitals as the most significant aspects of their dance involvements. By envisioning competitions and recitals as instances of coordinated activity, this thesis employs Prus’ (1997: 135) conceptual model for participating in collective events as a means of highlighting the processual quality characteristic of developing performance events. Further, this thesis uses Goffman’s (1959) conceptualization of team-based dynamics as a means of illustrating how meanings about the group, the activity at hand and the event being anticipated are created, negotiated and perpetuated in a group-based setting. Data obtained from the observation of dance groups as they prepared for and engaged in competitions and recitals as well as open-ended interviews with twenty members of the amateur dance community is used to illustrate the various stages of accomplishing performance events. This analysis begins with participant experiences in initiating events and becoming involved with them, followed by a discussion on how these groups prepare for, sustain and participate in performance events. While this thesis focuses predominantly on amateur dance involvements, it also provides a transcontextual analysis of the interactionist concept of the collective event, through comparisons with research conducted on groups based on activities other than dance. Through field data and these various comparisons, this thesis finds that working toward and participating in group-based ventures encourages the development of a team- based awareness and sense of purpose among the participants of a wide variety of activities. Because having a central focus and common awareness with regard to an activity is integral to the sustained commitments and involvements of participants, this thesis finds the interactionist notion of collective events to be a central feature of human lived experience

The Centric Relation of the Mandible Represented by Computer Aided Graphic Models - The Aspect of the Basic Line of the Temporomandibular Joint

A large number of the research carried out on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been related to the interrelation between the articular surfaces within the joint. Research was done on conserved skulls. The results obtained show that the articular surface of the condyle, in the position of the centric relation, regarding the upper surface, has a retruded position. The results of current research differ. The aim of the research was to perform accurate osteometry of the joint bone structure, tranfer the obtained data into the computer and with the aid of compute aided three dimensional analyses, to arrive at certain conclusions. The basic line of the TMJ was used as a reference point. The main task of the research was to discover another possible reference line, connecting the midpoints of the front and the back edge of the temporal bone articular surface. The basic line of the TMJ was found as a new reference line. The research results of the interrelation of the TMJ surfaces are represented by the computer aided graphic model. Two software application packages, AutoCAD and Euclid were used for the graphic analysis. Based on the obtained results, the computer algorithm was needed to enable connection of the reference points in space using mathematical laws. The retroposition of the top of condyle could not be seen

Enhancement of fluoride release from glass ionomer cement following a coating of silver fluoride

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.BACKGROUND: This study investigated the extent to which a coating of 10% silver fluoride (AgF) on discs of glass jonomer cements (GIGs) would enhance the release of fluoride ion into eluting solutions at varying pH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty discs each of Fuji LX, Fuji VII and of Vitrebond were prepared in a plastic mould. Twenty discs of each material were coated for 30 seconds with a 10% solution of AgF. Five discs each of coated and uncoated material were placed individually in 4m1 of differing eluant solutions. The eluant solutions comprised deionized distilled water (DDW) and three separate acetate buffered solutions at pH 7, pH 5 and pH 3. After 30 minutes the discs were removed and placed in five vials containing 4m1 of the various solutions for a further 30 minutes. This was repeated for further intervals of time up to 216 hours, and all eluant solutions were stored. Fluoride concentrations in the eluant solutions were estimated using a fluoride specific electrode, with TISAB IV as a metal ion complexing and ionic concentration adjustment agent. Cumulative fluoride release patterns were determined from the incremental data. RESULTS: The coating of AgF greatly enhanced the level of fluoride ion release from all materials tested. Of the uncoated samples, Vitrehond released the greater concentrations of fluoride ion, followed by Fuji VII. However, cumulative levels of fluoride released from coated samples of the GICs almost matched those from coated Vitrebond. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that a coating of 10% AgF on GICs and a resin modified GIC greatly enhanced the concentration of fluoride released from these materials. This finding might be applied to improving protection against recurrent caries, particularly in high caries risk patients, and in the atraumatic restorative technique (ART) of restoration placement