46 research outputs found
Political and philosophical strategies of Roman Epicureans in the Late Republic
This
thesis
examines
the
political
careers
and
strategies
of
the
Roman
adherents
of
Epicurean
philosophy
in
the
final
three
decades
of
the
Republic.
I
offer
a
detailed
exploration
of
the
network
of
affiliates
of
the
School,
as
well
as
their
teachers
and
patrons,
and
examine
how
their
self-‐presentation,
social
ties,
and
incorporation
of
philosophical
doctrine
into
their
career
strategies
enabled
them
to
thrive
in
such
an
unstable
and
dangerous
period.
In
Part
One
I
examine
as
a
series
of
case
studies
the
role
of
Epicureanism
in
the
ascent
of
three
individuals
who
attained
the
rank
of
Consul
or
Consul
Designate
(L.
Calpurnius
Piso
Caesoninus,
C.
Vibius
Pansa
Caetronianus
and
C.
Cassius
Longinus),
as
well
as
one
notable
failure
(C.
Memmius).
I
argue
that
they
deliberately
avoided
the
traditional
routes
to
power
and
electoral
success:
military
glory
and
public
oratory,
and
focused
on
factional
and
individual
loyalty.
I
then
assess
the
extent
to
which
the
patronage
and
leadership
of
C.
Iulius
Caesar
was
instrumental
in
the
success
of
these
politicians,
and
how
this
benefitted
him.
In
Part
Two
I
examine
an
alternative
application
of
Epicurean
philosophy
to
Roman
politics,
that
of
professed
quietude
and
eschewal
of
office,
as
characterized
by
T.
Pomponius
Atticus.
I
argue
that
this
choice
was
far
from
apolitical,
but
represented
an
alternative
route
to
power
and
self-‐
preservation,
incorporating
many
of
the
same
strategies
employed
by
the
politically
active
adherents.
I
explore
how
Atticus
deliberately
cultivated
the
image
of
a
philosophical
conscientious
objector,
yet
wielded
a
significant
amount
of
power
in
Rome,
thanks
to
his
wealth,
his
contacts,
his
provincial
holdings
and
his
role
as
financial
administrator
to
the
political
elite.
This
thesis
posits,
in
conclusion,
that
the
unique
political
climate
of
the
late
Republic,
in
particular
the
incipient
shift
from
limited-‐term
magistracies
to
single
rule,
facilitated
a
novel
approach
to
the
acquisition
of
power
and
personal
security.
Basing
their
actions
on
Epicurean
teachings
on
society,
friendship,
religion
and
pleasure,
the
Roman
adherents
exploited
their
utility
to
those
in
power,
Caesar
in
particular,
to
carve
out
a
relatively
stable
niche
in
a
tumultuous
era
Determination of protective properties of Bardejovske Kuple spa curative waters by rotational viscometry and ABTS assay
Mineral waters from Bardejovske Kupele spa are natural, strongly mineralized, with healing effects. They are classified as hydrocarbonic - containing chloride and sodium - carbonic, cold, hypotonic, with a relatively high boric acid content. Potential anti-oxidative effects of curative waters from Bardejovske Kupele were investigated against the hyaluronan (HA) degradation. High-molar-mass HA was exposed to the action of ascorbate and cupric ions, which initiate free-radical chain degradation. Time-dependent changes of dynamic viscosity (h) of the HA solutions were monitored by rotational viscometry. The radical scavenging capacity of curative waters was determined by the ABTS assay. Despite a significantly high content of transition metal ions, especially iron, remarkable protective effects of the two curative spa waters were found, namely Alzbeta and Klara. Even though “Alzbeta´s“ iron content was 3.5-fold higher than “Klara´s“, “Alzbeta“ was shown to have better protective properties against the HA degradation compared to “Klara“. Bolus addition of ferric ions to the reaction system instead of the natural iron-containing curative water caused a significant HA degradation. The ABTS decolorization assay revealed that the curative spa waters were proven as poorly effective scavengers of the ABTS·+ cation radical
The Effect of Raw Soybean on Oxidative Status of Digestive Organs in Mice
The present study was undertaken to specify the effect of raw soybean on oxidative status of digestive organs in mice. For this purpose, thirty male (C57BL/6J) mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed on different diets as follows: Group 1 was fed on control diet, Group 2 was fed on raw soybean diet and Group 3 was fed on raw soybean diet supplemented with 30 mg/kg cysteamine. After two weeks of feeding, duodenum, liver and pancreas samples were collected to measure oxidative and antioxidative parameters. The results show that ingestion of raw soybean markedly increased contents of superoxide anion and malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), T-AOC and content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in digestive organs of mice (P < 0.05). In the group fed with raw soybean diet supplemented with cysteamine, oxidative stress was mitigated. However, oxidative parameter levels were still higher than those of control diet-fed group. The present study indicates that ingestion of raw soybean could result in an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant, and thus induce oxidative stress in digestive organs of mice
ChemInform Abstract: Radical Degradation of High Molar Mass Hyaluronan Induced by Ascorbate Plus Cupric Ions Testing of Arbutin in the Function of Antioxidant
Establishing a recovery-focused rehabilitation unit: a case example
This study highlights lessons learnt from establishing a new recovery-focused inpatient rehabilitation unit in a typical regional city of New South Wales. We have learnt that the most important aspects are recruitment, retention and training of dedicated staff and a belief that recovery is possible. Strategies employed to meet the challenges of integrating a recovery-based practice into this type of setting may be transferable to other new services or existing services of a similar nature. We have provided a summary of standard outcome measures reflecting the performance of the unit for the first 2 years of functioning
Consulting a Lithuanian rural tourism business
A new and rapidly growing branch of economy - rural tourism - has been started up in the Lithuanian countryside. This new business in our country creates workplaces, incomes, and new cultural values. The development of a rural tourism business is a golden opportunity for the development of rural infrastructure and the country economy. However, for effective performance and development cooperation among business consultants is necessary. The need of consultations exists in every business irrespective of its size, nature of activities, or infrastructure. Intensive of competition and progress in science and technology are connected with a rapidly growing demand for business consultations. This article presents the analysis of rural tourism business providers and consumers. Consultation techniques, range of consultations and methods are defined as well as homestead keepers’ requirements and attitudes towards consultations are presented in the article
Using of Aerogel to Improve Thermal Insulating Properties of Windows
For the best possible thermal-technical properties of building structures it is necessary to use materials with very low thermal conductivity. Due to the increasing thermal-technical requirements for building structures, the insulating materials are developed. One of the modern thermal insulating materials is so-called aerogel. Unfortunately, this material is not used in the field of external thermal insulation composite systems because of its price and its properties. The aim of this paper is to present possibilities of using this insulating material in the civil engineering - specifically a usage of aerogel in the production of windows