1,317 research outputs found
An Archaeology of Sensory Experience: Pilgrimage in the Medieval Church, c.1170-c.1550
Using a methodological framework built upon principles of recent socio-anthropological and archaeological analyses on the sensory culture of the past, this thesis provides an original interdisciplinary socio-sensual approach to illustrate how the medieval ‘pilgrimage experience’ was socially constructed for and by three separate participatory groups – royalty, laity and a parochial society – at four English cult churches. The tapestry of evidence used is woven together to create invented narratives from past visitors, highlighting the differences in perception and lived experience, in opposition to studies which have provided only impersonal analyses of structures as revealed through archaeological excavation. Thus far, studies have failed to consider how developments – whether initiated by the church, external patrons or visitors’ needs – transformed the physical aesthetic of church space and how this affected the experience of the medieval pilgrim. This thesis seeks to remedy this deficiency. Not only does it mark a departure from the ‘traditional’ practice of buildings archaeology, but the principal original contribution of this work is that the conclusions provide a fresh understanding of how and why the churches were built for and around the inherent cults and, accordingly, how pilgrims – of all statuses – developed and manipulated the decorative and architectural schemes of such buildings for their own needs and ideological agendas.
The research considers a church building not only as a complete sensory structure, but also how its construction was intended to impact/encourage devotion towards the resident cults as a continuation of ritualised practices: for example, how specific materials were chosen for their tactile qualities, shrines for their ability to allow bodily engagement with the holy, or galleries added for amplification. Significant research questions include: Were experiences created to suit different social groups and, if so, how did they impact on the archaeological record of the church building? Did the common layman have some influence on how cult churches were built and embellished? What imprint did these transient and ephemeral visitors leave? And, most importantly, how did pilgrims experience the cult churches and associated infrastructures them differently
Uveitis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals
Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.Since the first description in 1982 of ocular involvement in individuals testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a large volume of work has described the spectrum of uveitis that may occur in the setting of HIV infection. In this review we describe the causes of uveitis of HIV-positive persons, considering both infectious and noninfectious entities.Support: Australian Research Council (FT130101648
Revisiting history: Can shipping achieve a second socio-technical transition for carbon emissions reduction?
This paper draws on socio-technical transitions theory to contextualise recent developments in the technological and operational eco-efficiency of ships, which may ameliorate but not resolve sustainability challenges in shipping. Taking an historical perspective, the paper argues that shipping is fundamentally a derived demand arising out of, but also enabling, the spatial separation of production and consumption that are integrated through global value chains. It is argued that the twin processes of innovation-enabled specialisation (into e.g. container ships; bulk carriers etc.) and increased scale both of ships and of shipping operations have embedded shipping into logistics systems of increasing complexity and reach. The objective of the paper is to demonstrate, using secondary data, the long-run trends in the growth of shipping carbon emissions for bulkers and tankers, as well as the impact of increased scale and vessel speed on such emissions. A fuel-based, top-down, methodology, based on fuel consumption estimates derived from secondary source industry data that are suitable for a macro-level analysis, is used to estimate global shipping carbon emissions. It is argued that technologies or operational innovations that reduce the environmental burdens of shipping, while useful, do not represent the socio-technical system ‘regime’ shift that international maritime logistics requires in order to contribute to improved sustainability. Rather, in the relative absence of strong governance mechanisms in the maritime field, it is underlying ‘landscape’ shifts in production and consumption that are likely to act to reduce the demand for shipping and hence to be more significant in the longer run
Collaborative Research: The Effect of Iron-Complexing Ligands on Iron Availability to Phytoplankton in HNLC Waters of the Subarctic Pacific Ocean
Scientists from the University of Maine and San Francisco State University propose to do deck-board incubation experiments in high nutrient, low chlorophyll (HNLC) waters of the eastern (Ocean Station PAPA) and the western (Ocean Station KNOT) Subarctic Pacific Ocean to determine how Fe supply affects phytoplankton species composition. Specifically, this team of scientists plans to address the following specific objectives: (1) assess how the relative availability of Fe bound to weaker and stronger classes of ligands differs among different phytoplankton groups (cyanobacteria, diatoms, dinoflagellates, prymnesiophytes) and how these differences influence the evolution of the phytoplankton community after Fe enrichment in HNLC waters; (2) ascertain if new ligands produced in response to Fe enrichment of HNLC waters behave similarly to ambient ligands, or if they have significantly different effect on regulating how an ecosystem evolves over the long term; and (3) determine whether phytoplankton assemblages in HNLC waters having different proximity or history of Fe inputs respond differently to the same suite of Fe ligand blends, or whether conditioning has led to their adaptation of alternate uptake capabilities. In addition, measurements of growth rates, macronutrient utilization rates, fluorescence, cell size determinations, Fe use efficiencies, rates of Fe and carbon uptake and flow cytometry sorting will be done to assess how specific organisms will respond to Fe supplied in different chemical forms
Recurrent atypical fibroxanthoma of the limbus
Author version made available in accordance with the publisher's policy.We report an unusual presentation of recurrent atypical fibroxanthoma of the limbus. Clinical and histological appearance, as well as management are discussed and the current literature is reviewed
Aspects of the health and welfare of continuously housed dairy cattle
The literature relating to the health and productivity of continuously housed or ''storage fed ''dairy cows with particular reference to the adoption of this type of management system was reviewed. Emphasis was placed on means of improving the output of the dairy herd by storage feeding and also crossbreeding and the relationship between the application of these two techniques and the health and welfare of dairy cattle. Although frowned on in some quarters it was considered that provided production figures were used alongside other findings and interpreted with care they could be useful indications of both health and welfare. Two treatment groups, one containing Jersey cross Friesian cattle (Jx) and the other containing purebred British Friesian's were produced. These two groups were the basis of the study and were continuously housed for five years being allowed to graze naturally only in the last summer of the study. Shortly after birth calves were weighed and blood samples obtained for immunoglobulin analysis by the Zinc Sulphate Turbidity Test (ZST). During calfhood the two breed types showed statistically significant differences for weights (P<0.001) and ZST (P<0.01) results. The Friesian calves had the highest weights but ZST levels were higher for the Jx. Correlations and regressions of weight and ZST were also carried out to determine interparameter relationships. After weaning both groups were housed continuously in a single span cubicle shed and were storage fed on an identical complete diet until eventually they were allowed to graze in the latter part of their third lactation. Intakes of diet were calculated twice weekly with stock weighing weekly and condition scoring fortnightly. No major health problems were noted during this period and weight gains were more than adequate though again the Friesians significantly outperformed the Jersey cross. After first calving and throughout the experimental period milk samples were obtained weekly at both afternoon and morning milkings from each cow and analysed for butterfat, protein and lactose content. There was no evidence of continuous housing reducing the level of output of either breed type and fat and protein percentage indicated that nutritionally the system had advantages over a traditional grazing regime . Statistical analysis of weights, yield and milk constituents was undertaken and while yields were found not to be significantly different butterfat and protein percentage were significantly higher in the Jx (P<0.001) and weights lower. Fertility was good throughout the housing period the Jx generally outperforming the Friesians. Indeed the fertility figures and maintenance of fat and protein levels throughout the three lactations indicated advantages in the use of this type of regime. During an intensive monitoring period over the major part of the third lactation milk samples were also obtained for estimation of somatic cell numbers and chloride concentration at both afternoon and morning milkings on a monthly basis. In addition at the morning milking a cowside California Mastitis Test (CMT) was performed on each cow by quarter (paddle test) to assess subclinical mastitis incidence. Milk samples were obtained from each quarter giving a positive CMT reaction for bacteriological analysis, somatic cell counts and chloride concentration and when two or more quarters gave a positive CMT result all quarters were sampled. The extent of subclinical mastitis was higher than expected given the background somatic cell (SCC) and total bacterial cell count (TBC) figures for the entire herd the rest of which was allowed to graze in summer. Statistical analysis of these positive CMT milk results was undertaken using an analysis of deviation technique, chloride being found to be significant for group and somatic cell counts for month (P<0.05). Regression and correlation analyses were also carried out and it was found that the most significant parameters were chloride and lactose concentration which were respectively lower and higher in the Jx
Exploring Preferences for Urban Greening
Sustainable responses to urban development point to the need for higher density neighborhoods coupled with extensive urban tree canopy and greening. However, little research has been conducted with urban residents to ascertain if these urban forms match their preferred setting. This study sought to understand whether higher levels of greening could moderate preference for lower density residential settings when 212 participants rated images for preference. Each of the independent variables, greening and density, made a difference in preference: greener settings were more preferred than less green settings overall, and perceived density was marginally significant in relation to preference. A factor analysis resulted in the grouping of five neighborhood types distinguished by certain characteristics (e.g., greening, buffer, building form) which, together with the qualitative responses suggested insights for making higher density residential environments more preferred. We did not find a significant interaction between greening and perceived density in relation to preference, suggesting that greening does not moderate the density-preference relation
Home Energy Monitoring App
http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106033/1/me589f13section881project2.pd
Uveitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: recent therapeutic advances
Uveitis is a common association of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) that has previously been characterized by poor visual prognosis with limited options for effective treatment. Since corticosteroid treatment is not a preferred long-term option for most patients with this condition, systemic immunosuppressive therapy is frequently employed. The medical options for the treatment of JIA-associated uveitis have recently expanded beyond conventional immunosuppressive drugs to the biological agents. The biological drugs that are most commonly employed for JIA-associated uveitis are the tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. Other biological agents that have been used to treat the disease include drugs that target cytokine receptors, lymphocyte antigens and lymphocyte co-stimulation signals. This Mini Review highlights recent developments in the medical treatment of JIA-associated uveitis.This study was supported by the Australian Research Council (FT130101648)
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