Åbo Akademi: Open Journal Systems
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Myths of the state in the West European Middle Ages
No full textIn the first centuries of the barbarian kingdoms the most striking feature is the gens, the tribe, as the principle of unity, even if the ethnic homogeneity often was missing. The myth of the Germanic State of the early Middle Ages was in the first place a myth of the common origin of the gens.These histories of tribal origins have some times been influenced by powerful Ancient literary patterns, especially the Trojan myth of Virgil. But the concern of presenting the origin of the gens in mythical form is no doubt Germanic. And it seems probable that the tribal origins are more ancient than the genealogies of royal families with alleged divine ancestors. The kingship among the Germanic tribes was secondary in relation to the tribe. The king was rex Francorum; the king of a certain country or geographic territory is a later conception. The power comes from below; the king is an exponent of the tribe. All the Germanic words for "king" are derivations from terms for "kin, people, tribe." The limitation of the power of the king is also indicated by institutions like the right to resistence, the possibility to depose the king, the participation by all free men in the judicial and criminal procedure through self-help and blood feud
Quantification of clarithromycin polymorphs in presence of tablet excipients
Get PDFCharacterization of solid form of API in presence of excipients offers considerable challenge. Aim of the present study was to quantify polymorphs of clarithromycin (CAM) in a commercial tablet in the presence of excipients, by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) method. Polymorphic Form I (CAM-1), Form II (CAM-2) and amorphous phase of CAM were characterized using thermal and crystallographic tools. CAM-1 and CAM-2 were found to be monotropically related, with CAM-2 being the stable form. PXRD instrument related parameters were optimized for characterization of CAM polymorphic forms in a mixture of excipients. Calibration curves for CAM-1 and CAM-2 were prepared in a mixture with excipients. Analytical method based on differences in diffraction pattern of CAM-1, CAM-2 and excipients was developed. Sodium methyl paraben, sodium propyl paraben, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate were crystalline and exhibited characteristic diffraction pattern. Starch, croscarmellose sodium, talc and sodium starch glycolate were found to be semicrystalline in nature while colloidal silicon dioxide was amorphous material. Diffraction peak at 8.7° 2θ value allowed quantification of CAM-2 in the presence of excipients. The analytical method was evaluated and validated for accuracy, precision, inter and intraday variation, variability due to sample repacking and instrument reproducibility. The method for quantification of CAM-2 in the range of 80 to 100% w/w was found to be linear with R2 = 0.998. Relative standard deviation (RSD) due to sample repacking was 2.77% indicating good homogeneity of mixing of samples. RSD due to all assay errors was found to be 1.66%. PXRD analysis of commercial tablet revealed presence of CAM-2 as major polymorph and it was found to be 98% of the overall content of API. CAM-1 was found to be present as an impurity in trace amount as evidenced by peaks at 2θ values of 5.2° and 6.7°. This method allows characterization of polymorphic forms of CAM in presence of common tablet excipients. It can be a useful tool for monitoring solid form behavior during product development and stability studies.
Norske gravminner fra høymiddelalderen som kilde til kjønnsidentitet
Get PDFThis study uses funerary monuments as a source of gender identity in mediaeval Norway. The gender of the deceased is identified in 67 of the few hundred mediaeval grave memorials (mostly from c. 1250–1350) preserved in Norway. Of these 28 per cent commemorate women while 67 per cent of the deceased are male, the rest being double graves. – The assumption behind the study is that the content and form of the grave memorial reflect the social position and individual identity of the deceased. Further it is presumed that a memorial with an emphasis on the character of the deceased in its motive or inscription can be interpreted as a sign of high self-esteem and a strong perception of oneself as an individual. – A representation of the deceased was found in 12 out of 19 female grave monuments while only 21 of the 45 male grave monuments had such depictions. The great majority of the male grave monu-ments commemorate clerics, knights or noblemen and depict them explicitly in their social role. The women are portrayed in a less uniform manner than the men, thus giving the impression of greater individuality. On the one hand it could be argued that this is hardly the case: the women were probably as fixed in their roles as the men. On the other hand, the type and quality of the female funerary monuments indicate a stronger social position than might be expected
Postmodern spirituality and the culture of individualism
No full textIn recent years, the thesis about a fundamental shift in Western religiosity has become increasingly prominent in the scientific study of religion. Many new phenomena of today’s religious scene are seen as the manifestation of a resacralization/re-enchantment of the world, or even of spirituality/a spiritual revolution. The new religious world view that is taking shape presupposes an essential oneness of microcosm and macrocosm and a presence of the divine in man and in the world. The radical distinction between the temporal and supernatural worlds disappears, which seems to herald the advent of a new type of spirituality based on the idea of immanence. This new ‘all-inclusive spirituality’ has many forms of expression and is concerned with ‘the sacredness of life, nature and the universe’ and ‘all pathways that lead to meaning and purpose’. This ‘subjective turn’ means ‘a turn away from life lived in terms of external or “objective” roles, duties and obligations, and a turn towards life lived by reference to one’s own subjective experiences (relational as much as individualistic)’. All the above-mentioned explanatory frameworks to a certain extent employ the concept of individualization.This presentation examines the the concept of individualization as an approach for the understanding of today’s religious scene
An excursion on Linneaeus's drum from Sorsele
No full textWhen Linnaeus made his journey to Holland in 1735, a Saami drum was included in his baggage. The original owner of the drum was the Saami, Anders Nilsson Pont of Granbyn, who was denounced for the possession and use of drums. In this way Linnaeus received greetings from Lycksele lappmark, where he had never set foot. The most likely explanation is that Linnaeus got the drum from Georg Wallin the younger, who made a visit of inspection in 1715
With Dance and Drum. A Psychocultural Investigation of the Ritual Meaning-Making System of an Afro-Brazilian, Macumba Community in Salvador, Brazil
No full textThis paper focuses on the Macumba community's way of making meaning in its Afro-Brazilian cultural context. The community's meaning-making system is analyzed through five central points relating psychosocial function to religious ritual experience. In this Macumba community context ritual, through dance and drum, serves as the basic multi-dimensional vehicle for psychosocial and spiritual development in the community.
A pure mind and a healthy body: an Islamic perspective
No full textIn today’s Egypt we see the Muslim Brotherhood supporting hospitals, healthcare centres and other charities, but where does this focus on promoting good health and providing the necessary services stem from? Why do movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood engage in charitable activities to the extent that they do? Is it just a question of doing good for others, or are there other reasons? The purpose of this article is to look at some of the factors behind a trend within the Muslim Brotherhood, which is characterised by seeing the connection between a healthy body and a pure soul as being something vital for a practising Muslim
Shamanistic features in the Old Testament
No full textThe question whether there are shamanistic features in the O.T. will receive different answers according to the definitions of the term shamanism. There is no reason to doubt that shamanistic practice was found in Canaan in the time of King Saul. This practice went far back in time and was found in Canaan before the invasion of the Israelites. The cult of the dead, which the archaeological diggings in Ras Shamra in Syria have revealed, existed also in Canaan. It was accepted by the Israelites, a fact which is underlined by the way in which the prohibition against all kinds of sorcery and sooth saying is repeated in the 0.T., Lev. XIX: 31, XX: 6, 27, Deut. XVIII: 11, I Sam. XXVIII: 3, Is. VIII: 19
Making sense of personal and global problems: an analysis of the writings and lectures of Rauni-Leena Luukanen-Kilde
No full textRauni-Leena Luukanen-Kilde (b. 1939) is a well-known figure in the Finnish alternative spiritual milieu. She is an author and lecturer on parapsychology and ufology and has been a guest on several talk shows in the Nordic countries. The topics discussed by Luukanen-Kilde range from the psychic abilities of mankind to visitations from extraterrestrial beings. Since the mid-1980s Luukanen-Kilde has developed conspiracy theories about an elite group governing the world in secret. Luukanen-Kilde is a bestselling author and draws audiences of several hundreds to her talks. Her conspiracy theory view of the world offers explanations for all kinds of personal, national, as well as global problems and disasters. Personal health problems, tragic incidents such as school shootings, economic crises and unemployment, earthquakes and floods can, according to her belief system, all be attributed to a single cause; namely to the actions of a clandestine, malevolent group. The popularity of Luukanen-Kilde’s books and lectures can be seen as an example of how people in late modernity are seeking alternative interpretations of themselves and of world events.