7,667 research outputs found
The sense of a beginning : Bakhtinian dialogic criticism on 'the gospel' in Mark.
No full textContemporary literary approaches have caused paradigm shifts in Biblical Studies in the last two decades as it appears in a great deal of Markan studies using narrative, reader-response, deconstructive, feminist, and new historicist approaches. However, literary studies on the Gospel of Mark have not taken into account theoretical questions underlying those approaches. As a result biblical critics are driven by new trends without ever having a chance to examine the critical baggage of the approaches. Consequently, there is a gap of communication between the old and the new one. Therefore this thesis is an attempt to meet the need of enhancing the quality of critical endeavour in biblical studies. In the light of most recent competing critical theories of literature, the first contribution of this thesis is the methodological finding that Bakhtinian dialogic criticism contains the most profound philosophical and practical foundations for solving some crucial theoretical problems in contemporary literary theories. It is a critique to a Saussurian linguistic system of language which becomes the very foundation of modern and postmodern literary criticism. Bakhtinian literary theory shifts the foundation of literary criticism on linguistic signs into the creative activity of the socio-cultural production of human communication. The shift into socio-cultural reality of language communication makes the notion of 'genre' very important to unlock the problem of text and context in literary studies. Since the Gospel of Mark has fascinated most literary critics in Biblical Studies, the problem of 'genre' of this gospel is chosen as the focus of this study. Secondly, as no agreement is reached as to what 'genre' the Gospel of Mark belongs, this thesis makes its contribution to the discussion by locating the problem of 'genre' of Mark in the context of genre theories and argues that the Bakhtinian suggestion to find genre in the socio-cultural sphere by analysing artistic intercourse between narrative agents in Mark has freed the competing analysis from the unresolved problem between the kerygmatic (content oriented) approach and the analogical (form oriented) approach. To achieve finding 'genre' in the socio-cultural sphere, this thesis focuses on Bakhtinian analysis of the process of artistic intercourse between narrative agents. The narrative communicative interrelationships between narrative agents is constructed in this thesis as a 'stereophonic' Bakhtinian model of dialogic communication. This model is an original contribution of this thesis for revising the traditional two dimensional model of narrative communication. Based on this dialogical model of communication, a special role is given to the Bakhtinian 'author-creator' in the realization process of genre through the interaction of polyphonic voices. Through the interaction of voices of the author-artist and the hero we are led to discover a relatively stable type of portraying and controlling reality in Mark, known as the genre of Roman 'satire'. The closest literary affinity is Satyrica by Petronius. This narrative strategy of 'satire' in Mark has its root in the prophetic discourse of the Old Testament which is saturating the speech of the narrator, John the Immerser, the centurion, the people, and even Jesus. Finally, the whole search for Markan 'genre' culminates in the analysis of the realization of genre through the analysis of Bakhtinian chronotope. The reality of the genre of Mark is its social reality that is in its role as dpxrj/ 'beginning'. As the Gospel of Mark proclaims itself as 'a beginning', it defines its claim of socio-cultural 'authority' in early Christianity. It is this 'sense of beginning' which enables the narrating and the narrated world of Mark to interact dialogically
Well-known trade mark protection: confusion in EU and Japan
No full textIn this thesis concerning the protection of well-known trade marks against confusion in the European Community Trade Mark (CTM) and Japanese trademark systems, the author critically considers the difficulties in comprehensively defining ‘well-known trade mark’ in the relevant international trade mark instruments. After critical analysis of various definitions of both ‘trade mark’ and ‘well-known trade mark’, she undertakes a comparison of the definitions of the parallel concepts of ‘trade mark of repute’ and ‘syuchi-syohyo’, and also undertakes an assessment as to the extent to which these trade marks are protected against confusion and kondo in the CTM and Japanese systems, respectively. It is concluded that the protection of well- known trade marks against confusion in the CTM and Japan cannot be said to be completely clear, and the author identifies some areas for legal refor
The Gospel on the Margins: The Ideological Function of the Patristic Tradition on the Evangelist Mark
No full textIn spite of the virtually unanimous patristic opinion that the evangelist Mark was the interpreter of Peter, one of the most prestigious apostolic founding figures in Christian memory, the Gospel of Mark was mostly neglected in the patristic period. Not only is the text of Mark the least well represented of the canonical Gospels in terms of the number of patristic citations, commentaries and manuscripts, the explicit comments about the evangelist Mark reveal some ambivalence about its literary or theological value. In my survey of the reception of Mark from Papias of Hierapolis until Clement of Alexandria, I will argue that the reason why the patristic writers were hesitant to embrace the Gospel of Mark was that they perceived the text to be amenable to the Christological beliefs and social praxis of rival Christian factions. The patristic tradition about Mark may have little historical basis, but it had an important ideological function in appropriating the text in the name of an apostolic authority from the margins or periphery
Research Reports, 1981, 1-5
No full textWeiss, David J.; Davidson, Mark L.; Johnson, Marilyn F.; Prestwood, J. Steven; Kingsbury, G. Gage; Maurelli, Vincent A.; Gialluca, Kathleen. (1981). Research Reports, 1981, 1-5. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/135267
Inquiries into the status of truth-claims in religious discourse: some interpretations of the philosophical system of Donald Davidson
No full textThis work reflects its title in that it is in two parts. The first two chapters attempt to show that truth is not the property of statements or propositions alone but is directly related to the beliefs or intentions (or other dispositions) which they encode. The role of Christian expectation as a truth-bearer is given some prominence. The third chapter begins the interpretative aspect of the analysis. The truth-theory of Donald Davidson is outlined against the background of his whole philosophical system. This leads to a new understanding of propositional attitudes, for they are now seen to express a causal relationship with the reality which underlies them. Davidson's method of seeking a correspondence with that reality via a coherence theory of truth is then analysed. This relies upon a so-called 'Convention of Charity' embodying a holistic agreement about what it is to call a thing 'real'. Considerable attention is given to the way that Davidson is continually developing his philosophy in this respect. The fourth chapter discusses the ways in which the truth-conditional theory of Davidson could be applied to religious discourse. The problems of religious divergence and of figurative or metaphorical language are singled out for special attention. The final chapter attempts to unite the study by evaluating this interpretation in the light of the claims for truth which theologians might make. This involves outlining the form which a new non-foundationalist theological epistemology might take, given the application of a Davidsonian philosophical system. This study is seen as particularly fruitful in generating areas for future research. A secondary aim of this analysis has been to investigate what sort of realism is possible for religious discourse
Effects of Moritella viscosa antigens on pro-inflammatory gene expression in an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus) cell line (SHK-1)
No full textMoritella viscosa is the causative agent of winter ulcer disease in salmonids reared in North-Atlantic countries. In this study the effects of selected M. viscosa antigens on cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory gene expression in an Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus) macrophage-like cell line (SHK-1) were examined. SHK-1 cells were stimulated with live and heat-killed bacterial cells, extracellular products (ECP) and an extracellular vibriolysin, termed MvP1. Following incubation, cytotoxicity and expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were examined at different time points. Both live M. viscosa cells and ECP were cytotoxic, but neither heat-killed cells, nor the MvP1 peptidase caused cell death. Expression levels of both IL-1β and IL-8 increased significantly after stimulation with live cells, but heat-killed cells only caused increased IL-8 expression. ECP did not affect IL-1β expression, but did stimulate IL-8 expression. The isolated MvP1 peptidase stimulated both IL-1β and IL-8 expression at the highest concentration tested. This study reveals a difference in the induction of pro-inflammatory gene expression in salmon SHK-1 cells between live and heat-killed M. viscosa cells, and also that an unknown secreted factor is the main stimulant of IL-β and IL-8 expression.ID: S1050464809000990; M3: Article; Accession Number: S1050464809000990; Author: Bryndis Bjornsdottir (a, b); Author: Mark D. Fast (b, 1); Author: Sandra A. Sperker (b); Author: Laura L. Brown (b, 2); Author: Bjarnheidur K. Gudmundsdottir (a, ∗); Affiliation: Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur v/Vesturlandsveg, 112 Reykjavík, Iceland; Affiliation: National Research Council Canada, Institute for Marine Biosciences, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2Z1, Canada; Keyword: Moritella viscosa; Keyword: Extracellular products; Keyword: MvP1 vibriolysin; Keyword: Atlantic salmon; Keyword: SHK-1; Keyword: Gene expression; Keyword: Immune response; Keyword: Pro-inflammatory cytokine; Keyword: Interleukin-1β (IL-1β); Keyword: Interleukin-8 (IL-8); Number of Pages: 6; Language: English;Source type: Electronic(1
Incomprehension or resistance? : the Markan disciples and the narrative logic of Mark 4:1—8:30
No full textThe characterization of the Markan disciples has been and continues to be the object of much scholarly reflection and speculation. For many, the Markan author’s presentation of Jesus’ disciples holds a key, if not the key, to unlocking the purpose and function of the gospel as a whole. Commentators differ as to whether the Markan disciples ultimately serve a pedagogical or polemical function, yet they are generally agreed that the disciples in Mark come off rather badly, especially when compared to their literary counterparts in Matthew, Luke, and John.
This narrative-critical study considers the characterization of the Markan disciples within the Sea Crossing movement (Mark 4:1–8:30). While commentators have, on the whole, interpreted the disciples’ negative characterization in this movement in terms of lack of faith and/or incomprehension, neither of these, nor a combination of the two, fully accounts for the severity of language leveled against the disciples by the narrator (6:52) and Jesus (8:17–18). Taking as its starting point an argument by Jeffrey B. Gibson (1986) that the harshness of Jesus’ rebuke in Mark 8:14–21 is occasioned not by the disciples’ lack of faith or incomprehension but by their active resistance to his Gentile mission, this investigation uncovers additional examples of the disciples’ resistance to Gentile mission, offering a better account of their negative portrayal within the Sea Crossing movement and helping explain many of their other failures.
In short, this study argues that in Mark 4:1–8:26, the disciples are characterized as resistant to Jesus’ Gentile mission and to their participation in that mission, the chief consequence being that they are rendered incapable of recognizing Jesus’ vocational identity as Israel’s Messiah (Thesis A). This leads to a secondary thesis, namely, that in Mark 8:27–30, Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ messianic identity indicates that the disciples have finally come to accept Jesus’ Gentile mission and their participation in it (Thesis B).
“Chapter One: Introduction” offers a selective review of scholarly treatments of the Markan disciples, which shows that few scholars attribute resistance, let alone purposeful resistance, to the disciples.
“Chapter Two: The Rhetoric of Repetition” introduces the methodological tools, concepts, and perspectives employed in the study. It includes a section on narrative criticism, which focuses upon the story-as-discoursed and the implied author and reader, and a section on Construction Grammar, a branch of cognitive linguistics founded by Charles Fillmore and further developed by Paul Danove, which focuses upon semantic and narrative frames and case frame analysis.
“Chapter Three: The Sea Crossing Movement, Mark 4:1–8:30” addresses the question of Markan structure and argues that Mark 4:1–8:30 comprises a single, unified, narrative movement, whose action and plot is oriented to the Sea of Galilee and whose most distinctive feature is the network of sea crossings that transport Jesus and his disciples back and forth between Jewish and Gentile geopolitical spaces.
Following William Freedman, “Chapter Four: The Literary Motif” introduces two criteria (frequency and avoidability) for determining objectively what constitutes a literary motif and provides the methodological basis and starting point for the analyses performed in chapters five and six.
“Chapter Five: The Sea Crossing Motif” establishes and then carries out a lengthy narrative analysis of the Sea Crossing motif, which is oriented around Mark’s use of θάλασσα (thalassa) and πλοῖον (ploion), and “Chapter Six: The Loaves Motif” does the same for The Loaves motif, oriented around Mark’s use of ἄρτος (artos).
Finally, “Chapter Seven: The Narrative Logic of the Disciples (In)comprehension” draws together all narrative, linguistic, and exegetical insights of the previous chapters and offers a single coherent reading of the Sea Crossing movement that establishes Theses A and B.
Assessing the feasibility of mobilisation of C0–C3 cervical segments to reduce headache in migraineurs
No full textBackground: Migraine headache poses a major public health problem. Pharmacological treatment is the most common management strategy, however patients are increasingly seeking alternative treatments. The Watson Headache® Approach (targeted and sustained non-manipulative mobilisation on C0–C3) is used to reduce headache symptoms and provide sustained relief. This research aimed to assess this approach as a treatment strategy for migraine headache and to provide data to inform a subsequent randomised controlled trial. Methods: One-hundred-and-one migraineurs were randomised to either the ‘treat now’ (n=54) or ‘wait list’ (n=47) group. Physiotherapists trained in the approach provided the intervention. Participants received six sessions. Outcome data were collected as a headache diary, including: headache score, headache days, headache duration, pain and medication use. Follow up was immediately post treatment (FU0) and at 3 (FU3), 6 (FU6) and 12 months (FU12). Results: Between-group analysis found no difference between the wait list group at baseline 2 and the treat now group at FU0 for any of the variables of interest. Within-group analysis found that after treatment participants experienced a reduction in headache intensity (P=0.007) and duration (P<0.001), had fewer headache days/28 days (P<0.001), hours of severe migraine headache (P<0.001) and used 20% fewer medications compared with before treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion: The Watson Headache® Approach shows promise as a potential strategy for migraine management, however further work is required to assess the efficacy of this technique in a larger, randomised placebo-controlled trial. Future studies should aim to identify those most likely to benefit from treatment and who may be at risk of potential adverse event
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Mark Twain as a Social Critic
No full textThe author attempts to show in this thesis that Mark Twain was a serious observer and critic of life
Microbial enrichment culture responsible for the complete oxidative biodegradation of 3‑Amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO), the reduced daughter product of the insensitive munitions compound 3‑Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO)
No full text3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) is one of the main ingredients of many insensitive munitions, which are being used as replacements for conventional explosives. As its use becomes widespread, more research is needed to assess its environmental fate. Previous studies have shown that NTO is biologically reduced to 3-amino-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (ATO). However, the final degradation products of ATO are still unknown. We have studied the aerobic degradation of ATO by enrichment cultures derived from the soil. After multiple transfers, ATO degradation was monitored in closed bottles through measurements of inorganic carbon and nitrogen species. The results indicate that the members of the enrichment culture utilize ATO as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. As ATO was mineralized to CO₂, N₂, and NH₄⁺, microbial growth was observed in the culture. Co-substrates addition did not increase the ATO degradation rate. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the organisms that enriched using ATO as carbon and nitrogen source were Terrimonas spp., Ramlibacter-related spp., Mesorhizobium spp., Hydrogenophaga spp., Ralstonia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Ectothiorhodospiraceae, and Sphingopyxis. This is the first study to report the complete mineralization of ATO by soil microorganisms, expanding our understanding of natural attenuation and bioremediation of the explosive NTO.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe
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