5,637 research outputs found
Moses, God, and the dynamics of intercessory prayer
No full textThe primary objective of this thesis is to reconsider the significance of the canonical portrayal of Moses the intercessor in the aftermath of "documentary" pentateuchal criticism. Not disregarding the diachronic dimension of the text, at the heart of this study is a close theological reading of Exodus 32-34 and Numbers 13-14 in their final form with focus on the nature and theological function of Moses' prayers. The intercessions evoke important theological questions, especially with regard to divine mutability, reputation, purpose, and covenant. It will become evident that Moses’ prayers embody a hermeneutical key to biblical theology. The choice of the two key narratives is endorsed by their strong inner-biblical associations. Two are of particular importance: I) Moses' intercession in Numbers 14:11-19 clearly wants to be understood in relation to Exodus 34:6-7, YHWH's fullest revelation of His name, which in itself is the result of Moses' engaging prayer activity (Ex. 32-33). By appealing to YHWH's name (Nu. 14:18), Moses sets an important biblical paradigm of authentic prayer. II) We shall see that YHWH's disclosure of His name remains a somewhat abstract reality in the context of the golden calf account. I shall advance the thesis, however, that YHWH's fullest revelation of His name (Ex. 34:6-7) is enacted in Numbers 14 in a specific and concrete situation and stands thus as a kind of commentary on Exodus 34:6-7.Another central aspect of this study is to bring Moses' intercessory activity into canonical connection with his prophetic qualities. It has long been noticed that Moses is presented as Israel's archetypal prophet. His prophetic role, however, has rarely been brought into constructive relation with his role as intercessor. Our study of Moses' intercessory prayers is preceded by some hermeneutical reflections and a survey of recent literature on Old Testament intercessory prayers
The Future of Registered Partnerships - Family Recognition beyond Marriage?
No full textThe book is required reading for all concerned with policy in this field academics and all concerned with advising clients about entering or dissolving civil partnerships. It may well be that Justices of the Supreme Court will be reaching for their copies when considering judgement in the Steinfeld case." - Martin Downs (April 2018 Family Law Journal) A book series dedicated to the harmonisation and unification of family and succession law in Europe. The series includes comparative legal studies and materials as well as studies on the effects of international and European law making within the national legal systems in Europe. The books are published in English French or German under the auspices of the Organising Committee of the Commission on European Family Law (CEFL).In many jurisdictions registered partnerships were introduced either as a functional equivalent to marriage for same-sex couples or as an alternative to marriage open to all couples. But now that marriage is opened up to same-sex couples in an increasing number of jurisdictions is there a role and a need for another form of formalised adult relationship besides marriage? In this book leading family law experts from 15 European and non-European countries explore the history and function of registered partnership in their own jurisdictions. Further chapters look at the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights and European Union Law on the regulation of registered partnerships. In the concluding chapters the different approaches are analysed and compared. This book provides the foundation for an informed discussion not only on changes to the implementation of registered partnership schemes but also more generally for reviewing the law concerning the recognition of adult relationships. About the editors: Dr Dr Jens M. Scherpe is a Reader at the University of Cambridge and Cheng Yu Tung Visiting Professor at the University of Hong Kong Dr Andy Hayward is a Lecturer in Family Law at Durham Law School Durham University
Convection in fluid and porous media
No full textThe subject of convection in fluid and porous media is investigated. Particular attention is paid to penetrative convection. The first two chapters are devoted to penetrative convection when fluid overlies and saturates a porous medium. Penetrative convection is described by a quadratic equation of state in the first instance and via internal heating in the second. Linear instability analyses are performed in both cases. A surprising and striking array of streamlines are presented at the onset of convection. The streamlines exhibit novel behaviour when physical parameters of the problem are varied. Penetrative convection in a horizontally isotropic porous layer is discussed next. Again penetrative convection is described by a quadratic equation of state and internal heating. The internally heated model is dealt with primarily as it yields a global nonlinear stability bound. The two models are shown to be mathematically adjoint and the nonlinear stability results compared with previously published linear ones. Good agreement between the two is seen. The effect of convection on the evolution of under-ice meltponds is investigated next. Linear and nonlinear analyses are employed to yield instability and global stability results respectively. Discrepancy between the two is found and the region of possible subcritical instabilities is presented. Finally convection in a porous medium is investigated via a cubic equation of state. It is found that unconditional nonlinear stability results can be established if Forchheimer theory is introduced. The results are compared to previously published linear ones and it is shown that the linear theory essentially captures the physics involved
Friction and wear of the Durham finger prosthesis
No full textRheumatoid arthritis of the hand can cause deformities that may severally impair hand function. Surgical procedures including total joint replacement have been developed over the last thirty years to treat patients with metacarpophalangeal deformity. The Centre of Biomedical Engineering at Durham University contributed to this field of research by designing a new artificial metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint intended to operate in the same manner as the natural joint. The Durham MCP prosthesis is a non constrained two piece all XLPE device which allows flexion-extension, adduction-abduction and little rotation movements, hi order to test the wear behaviour of the Durham MCP prosthesis before implanting it, a new finger wear simulator was also designed at Durham University and the prosthesis gave acceptable results from a wear point of view, hi 1997 clinical trials started and to date five people have been implanted with the Durham MCP prosthesis. In order to investigate the in vitro wear behaviour of the Durham MCP prosthesis further, nine wear tests were undertaken during this research using the finger wear simulator. For the first time EtO-sterilized XLPE prostheses were tested and their performances in bovine serum were very promising. This might indicate that ethylene oxide gas is a valid alternative to gamma irradiation for sterilizing the Durham MCP prosthesis as it doesn't seem to influence its wear properties. Wear debris was also analyzed showing that the majority of the particles detected were less than lμm in size. In order to investigate the frictional properties of the Durham MCP prosthesis, a new finger friction simulator has been designed, manufactured and validated during this research. Various tests were undertaken using different pairs of materials in order to compare the results with literature and validate the simulator. The new finger friction simulator appears to give consistent results and might then be used to record the variations of the coefficient of friction in the all XLPE Durham MCP prosthesis during the wear tests
The aesthetics of Pierre Boulez
No full textTo enable the reader to find references as quickly and easily as possible, I have grouped all references together in the bibliography in alphabetical order. Texts by the same author are distinguished first by year and second, if there are several texts from the same year, by letter. Interviews and writing collaborations (including published correspondence) involving Boulez are also ordered alphabetically. The year given at the beginning of each bibliographical entry is, in the majority of cases, the year in which the text was first published (not necessarily the year of the edition cited). For all writings written by Boulez, I have provided the original title under which the text in question was first published (usually in French). Many articles have subsequently been translated into English and therefore I have decided to provide page references for both versions. For all texts by writers other than Boulez, I have cited the version of the text I have used. Wherever possible, I have cited the existing English translations of texts originally written in French. However, on many occasions I have considered it necessary to make alterations to the published translations. This is particularly applicable to Boulez on Music Today (1971) and Orientations (1986), both of which display an often heavy-handed and rather inaccurate approach to the task of translating specific concepts employed by Boulez. In contrast. Stocktakings of an Apprenticeship (1991) has required only occasional minor amendments. All changes to the published English translations are acknowledged in the corresponding footnote. None of the material m this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree in this or any other University. The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without prior written consent and information from it should be acknowledged. I have received permission to exceed the word limit from the Graduate School Committee at the University of Durham
Screening for diabetes in optometric practice
No full textDiabetes is an increasing problem worldwide and is placing increasing strain on the healthcare system. It often goes undiagnosed for many years until complications occur. Identifying undiagnosed disease presents a challenge to all healthcare professionals. In the UK, screening has traditionally been the role of general practitioners, although other professionals such as pharmacists have recently become involved. Optometrists may also be in a good position to carry out screening tests themselves. Their role in screening for diabetes has not been previously investigated.
The first part of the thesis takes a qualitative approach to explore optometrists’ perceptions, attitudes and beliefs about diabetes and screening for the disease. It demonstrated that if certain barriers, such as cost and training, can be overcome, some optometrists are willing to carry out screening tests. It also raises issues regarding their professional roles and their relationship with other healthcare providers.
The second part of the thesis describes the development and implementation of a screening scheme using random capillary blood glucose (rCBG) tests. Over three-quarters of eligible adults participated in the screening. We found that around one third (318) of those had a rCBG level requiring further investigation. Half of these people reported attending their GP and receiving further investigation. 16 (5%) were subsequently diagnosed with either diabetes or pre-diabetes. Those who participated in the screening programme found the test procedure to be comfortable, convenient and would recommend it to others.
Analyses of strategies to identify those most at risk who would benefit from screening suggest that offering rCBG tests to those who are aged over 40 years with either a BMI of 25kg/m2 or more, or a family history of diabetes or both, would be effective for detection purposes.
This research confirmed the feasibility of testing for diabetes in optometry practices and opens the door for another, PCT-based, study. This novel approach has never been tried before
Wang Shuo and the commercialisation of contemporary Chinese culture
No full textThis thesis examines the commercialisation of Chinese culture that has taken place over the past twenty years in mainland China. It explores the contribution of Wang Shuo, a cultural figure who straddles different fields of culture, moving from literature to the ultimate mass culture medium of television, this study plots Wang Shuo' s development from educational failure, to business failure, to fiction writer, film & TV editor, film director and cultural critic and analyst. His stories, films, TV series and articles have caused shock-waves throughout national cultural circles as he has transformed the terms of the debate from academic discourse to a validation of the role of the market in the culture field. Although Wang Shuo has not been labelled as a dissident, his approach to the culture market has had a more subversive effect on official ideology that those overt dissidents who have had to live in exile or have been imprisoned. He has utilised the language of official ideology to satirise the authorities, turning the ideology and its supporters into figures of fun. Yet his own goals have been strictly personal and economic ones. The authorities recognize the value of Wang Shuo's work in the cultural market but at the same time distrust his works and place him under strict censorship. Examining the way Wang Shuo and people surround him have succeeded in different fields of cultural achievement is a mirror to understanding the process of the transformation of contemporary Chinese culture from a socialist state-controlled culture to a market-oriented mass culture industry
Functional Problems: Prevalence In Secondary Care And Perceptions Of Doctors
No full text1 Abstract
1.1 Title
Functional problems: prevalence in secondary care and perceptions of doctors
1.2 Aims
(a) To evaluate the prevalence of functional problems in general medicine, gastroenterology, gynaecology and psychiatry outpatient specialist clinics in a hospital setting in Sri Lanka and
(b) To assess the perceptions of doctors in these specialties around functional problems in the UK and in Sri Lanka.
1.3 Methodology
(a) Prevalence study: Functional problems were defined as those for which a cause could not be ascertained after clinical evaluation and investigations. The prevalence of functional problems was assessed over a three month period in each specialty clinic. The patients‘ records were reviewed at three and six months to confirm the diagnosis of a functional problem.
(b) Perceptions of clinicians: Qualitative methodology was used to ascertain the perceptions of doctors in the two settings covering the three specialties. A grounded theory approach was used and sixty interviews were carried out. Emphasis was placed on identifying socio-cultural implications around perceived causations and the management of these functional problems.
1.4 Results
(a) Prevalence study: The prevalence study ascertained that functional problems were the commonest diagnoses in the general medicine/gastroenterology and gynaecology clinics accounting for almost a fifth of patients. In psychiatry, functional problems were the fourth common diagnosis and accounted for nearly ten percent. Patients of all consultations with functional symptoms tended to be younger; there were long delays in
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making the diagnosis and a substantial proportion of patients were subjected to iatrogenic harm from invasive investigations and inappropriate therapeutic measures.
(b) Perceptions study: The perceptions study revealed divergent views by doctors about what functional problems were, how they could be categorized and how best to manage them. Socio cultural factors were thought to be intricately linked to causation and outcomes. Nonetheless, most doctors tended to isolate the clinical presentation and management from the cultural context in the way they dealt with their patients.
1.5 Conclusions
Functional problems were commonly seen and diagnosed in hospital outpatient clinics. The Sri Lankan prevalence was similar to that reported from the UK. In both cultural settings the doctors who were sensitive to socio-cultural factors used tools beyond pharmacotherapy and those who held improved quality of life as the goal of treatment as opposed to cure, reported greater success in managing people with these problems.
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1.6 Acknowledgements The School of Medicine and Health, Durham University, for granting a scholarship through Project Sri Lanka for the PhD, for fulfilling research training needs and providing accommodation during my stay in the UK The Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, for granting me study leave for three years Professor Pali Hungin, my supervisor in the School of Medicine and Health, Durham University, for helping convert the research idea to a PhD thesis Professor Martyn Evans, my second supervisor in the School of Medicine and Health, Durham University, for guidance and support Professor David Petley, Deputy Head (Research), Faculty of Social Sciences and Health, Durham University, for research support To Professor Susirith Mendis, Vice Chancellor and Professor Ranjith Senaratne, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ruhuna, Professor Thilak Weerasooriya, Dean and Professor P.L. Ariyananda, former Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, for support in obtaining study leave and a travel grant Dr Chandanie Hewage, Head, Department of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, for constant support and encouragement over the study leave period My colleagues in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, for covering the additional work during my study leave period Mrs Alex Motley, for help with correspondence and formatting Dr Simon Stockley, General Practitioner, for assistance with the pilot study Dr Amanda Gash, Consultant Psychiatrist and Dr Suresh Babu, Consultant Psychiatrist at the Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, Dr Deepak Dwarakanath, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Dr Anne Ryall, Consultant Gynaecologist at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, who were the co investigators for the UK arm of the qualitative study My co-investigators from Sri Lanka for the prevalence study, Dr Gamini Jayawardene, Dr Gayani Punchihewa and Dr Ajith Jayasekera, Consultant Psychiatrists, from Teaching Hospital Karapitiya Galle, Professor Thilak Weerarathna and Dr Arosha Dissanayake, Consultant Physicians from Teaching Hospital Karapitiya Galle, Professor Malik Goonawardene and Dr Dammika Jayasooriya, Consultant Obstetricians from Teaching Hospital Mahamodera, Galle
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Dr Rachel Casiday, Dr Helen Hancock, Dr Helen Close, Dr Sharyn Maxwell, Dr Eileen Scott, Durham University, for helping with the methodological aspects of the research Professor James Mason, Director of Research, School of Medicine and Health, Durham University, for advice on statistical matters Dr J. Howse, Doctoral Researcher, Durham University, for second coding of transcripts Mrs Judith Walsh, Mrs Susan Williams, Durham University, for assistance with administrative matters Members of the NHS National Research Ethics Committee, Durham and Tees Valley Research Ethics Committee 2, and Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, for helping conduct an ethically sound research study Staff at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, Research and Development Office for guidance on methodological and ethical aspects of the research Directors of Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Galle and Teaching Hospital, Mahamodera, Galle, for permitting the analysis of patient records for the prevalence study All the participants in the research Mrs Barbara Hungin for encouragement and support Sri Lankan expatriate community for assistance with logistical aspects Staff at the Keenan House, where I was accommodated during my stay in the UK My family members for their constant encouragement and support during three long years of researchin
Permian productidina of Britain and Malaysia
No full textThe British Permian Productidina have not been revised in detail since 1858. In the present study some 2000 specimens from 29 localities in north east of England have been collected and prepared in the laboratory and used together with museum collections. The fauna consists of four species of Strophalosia, one new species of Eostrophalosia, six species of Heteralosia (four new), three species of Craspedalosia (one new), two species of Howseia, four species of Horridonia (one new) and two species of Spinohorridonia new genus. The Strophalosiacea and Horridoniinae are divided according to a new classification produced in this research. British Permian productidinid species are often strongly variable. Some variants suggest possible sexual dimorphism while others are probably of ecological forms. The fauna as a whole is unique and exclusive to the Upper Permian Zechstein Sea. The British Permian fauna shows major radiation periods during the early EZla Ca and early EZlb Ca. In conjunction with these radiations, the Productidina become divided into two distinct assemblages, marking two biozones introduced in this thesis, the Horridonia horrida and Strophalosia excavata biozones. Little is known of the Malaysian Permian Productidina. They comprise one species each of Strophalosia, Craspedalosia, Institella, Antiquatonia, Reticulatia, Echi- noconchus, Linoproductus, Siepanoviella, Striatifera, Liosotella (with new species), Marginifera?, Paucispinifera, Retimarginifera (with new species) and Costispinifera, two species of Dictyoclostus, Waagenoconcha and Echinauris and three species of Cancrinella. Lower Permian productidinids are associated with Artinskian fusulines and show links with the South Tethyan cold water fauna. Upper Permian producti dinids contain a mixture of North Cathaysian elements and the warm South Tethyan lyttoniid fauna. Variation occurs within some of the Malaysian species, but owing to lack of material, no final deductions can be made. Similarly, although significant differences are observed in Malaysian productidinid distributions, tabulation of biostratigraphic zonation is left until more data is available
Stress Along the Medieval Anglo-Scottish Border? Skeletal Indicators of Conflict-Zone Health
No full textHealth changes experienced by populations living in regions of conflict have come to the forefront of research in light of recent increases in socio-political instability in modern populations. Political and ethnic unrest in modern populations have been shown to instigate a decline in the health of people living within the region of unrest. Population displacement and sabotage of resources associated with violent conflict has lead to increased prevalence rates of malnutrition and infectious diseases in addition to increased mortality. The aim of this study was to bridge the gap in literature between modern medical anthropology population studies of the health consequences of living in a conflict-zone and bioarchaeological population studies of demographic and palaeopathological indicators of stress. To achieve the aim, a bioarchaeological survey of four medieval (ca. 900 – 1600 AD) British cemetery populations along the Anglo-Scottish border, described as a conflict-zone in contemporary historical documents, was conducted to calculate rates of mortality and morbidity in a socio-politically ‘stressed’ population. This conflict-zone population was hypothesised to have demonstrated higher rates of mortality, stunting, wasting, non-specific indicators of stress, and metabolic bone diseases when compared to four ‘unstressed’ contemporary skeletal populations from neighbouring cemeteries. Direct comparison of the two regions did not indicate a difference in overall mortality or morbidity between the two populations. However, the conflict-zone population demonstrated higher prevalence rates of cribra orbitalia, periosteal bone lesions, and vitamin C deficiencies in the few available non-adults along with higher rates of enamel hypoplasia in the young adults. These contradictory results call into question both the documentary evidence regarding the longevity and severity of medieval border warfare and the sensitivity of osteological data to health changes associated with a conflict-zone lifestyle. The focus of future bioarchaeological research on conflict-zones in past populations must focus on refining the relationship between causal factors and skeletal indicators of stress
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