434 research outputs found
Sebastian Castellio, Annotationes in Pauli Epistulam ad Romanos ex Cap. IX. Critical edition and English translation by Michiel Op de Coul and Mirjam van Veen, 2020
No full textIn this little book, Mirjam van Veen (Church Historian) and Michiel Op de Coul (Classical Scholar) publish the Latin text (together with an English translation) of a lengthy annotation on Romans 9, addressing the biblical foundation of the doctrine of predestination, clearly criticising the vision promoted by Jean Calvin. The author of the text, Sebastian Castellio (1515-1563), added this annotation to the second edition (1554) of his Latin Bible (first edition 1551), published by the Basel p..
Does the Current Account Matter?
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to investigate in detail the behavior of the current account in emerging economies, and in particular its role if any in financial crises. Models of current account behavior are reviewed, and a dynamic model of current account sustainability is developed. The empirical analysis is based on a massive data set that covers over 120 countries during more than 25 years. Important controversies related to the current account including the extent to which current account deficits help predict currency crises are also analyzed. Throughout the paper I am interested in analyzing whether there is evidence supporting the idea that there are costs involved in running 'very large' deficits. Moreover, I investigate the nature of these potential costs, including whether they are particularly high in the presence of other type of imbalances.
Milnor’s Conjecture on Monotonicity of Topological Entropy: results and questions
No full text02.08.13 KB. Author has recieved permission from publisher to add the submitted version to Spiral.This note discusses Milnor’s conjecture on monotonicity of entropy and gives a short exposition of the ideas used in its proof which was obtained in joint work with Henk Bruin, see [BvS09]. At the end of this note we explore some related conjectures and questions
Intervention publique et sociabilité. Essai sur le problème de l'insécurité en France
No full textDer Autor unternimmt den Versuch, zwei verschiedene Ebenen einander anzunahern: die Analyse des Geflechts zwischenmenschlischer Beziehungen und die des öffentlichen Eingreifens. Er vertritt die Ansicht, dass Massnahmen zur Behebung der Unsicherheit nicht auf einer tnigerischen Wiederherstellung einer Gemeinschaft beruhen durften, sondern auf mikro-politischer Ebene angesiedelt sein und den Veranderungen in der Lebensweise gerecht werden mussten. So mussten derartige Massnahmen in einem ersten Schritt die Ver- änderungen im familialen und nachbarschaftlichen Beziehungsgefûge anerkennen, anstatt die Gemeinschaftsfähigkeit zu idealisieren und als einen notwendigen Bestandteil des sozialen Zusammenhalts darzustellen; weiterhin müssten sie den Personen Hilfestellung leisten, die sich aus dem Gefüge befreien wollten, aber dazu aus eigener Kraft nient in der Lage seien.This paper is an attempt to link the results of two a priori distinct research areas: interpersonal networks and public intervention. The author claims that the fight against the emergence of insecurity is by no means possible on a community basis: it must take into account the mutation of life-styles. Public intervention should 1/ recognize the transformation of both neighborhood — and family — interpersonal-networks instead of trying to restore fantasmagorie (i.e. ideal and non-real) comunities; 2/ stimulate a micro-political link and not a social link (i.e. total insertion) between the individuals living in problem areas.L'auteur tente de rapprocher les niveaux micro- et macro-sociaux: l'analyse des réseaux de sociabilité et des interventions publiques en matière de sécurité. Il défend l'idée que le règlement de l'insécurité ne passera pas par la fantasmagorique restauration de communautés mais par la stimulation d'un lien micropolitique en phase avec la mutation des styles de vie. Pour lutter contre l'insécurité, les interventions publiques devraient reconnaître plus complètement la mutation des sociabilités familiale ou de voisinage et doter de moyens les individus qui désirent s'en affranchir sans le pouvoir, plutôt que d'idéaliser ces sociabilités et d'en faire le passage obligé de la cohésion sociale.De auteur tracht de sociale micro- en macro-niveau's met elkaar te verbinden: de analyse van de sociabiliteitsnetten en de tussenkomsten van de overheid inzake veiligheid. Hij verdedigt de idee dat de oplossing van het onveiligheids- probleem niet te vinden is in een zinsbedrieglijk herstel van gemeenschappen maar in een verandering in levensstijl. Om de onveiligheid te bekampen zouden de tussenkomsten van de overheid de veranderingen inzake sociabiliteit van gezin of buurt tenvolle moeten erkennen en de individuen die er iets willen aan doen voorzien van middelen, veeleer dan de sociabiliteit te idealiseren en er een dwingende overgangsfase naar sociale samenhang van te maken.Roche Sebastian. Intervention publique et sociabilité. Essai sur le problème de l'insécurité en France. In: Déviance et société. 1990 - Vol. 14 - N°1. pp. 1-16
A conceptual design of the Houston Ship Channel Barrier
No full textThe frequency of hurricanes along any 80 km segment of the Coast of Texas is about 1 in 6 years (Roth,2009). On average, 4 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) occur every century in the Houston-Galveston Region (Needham and Keim, 2011). In addition, the region is very vulnerable: Houston is the fourth biggest city in the US, over 6 million residents live in the region; the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) accommodates the largest petrochemical complex in the US; and Galveston Bay provides large environmental value. Together, the population, industry and the environment make this region a very flood prone area. Action is required in the near future to protect Society, Economy and Environment. A number of solutions has already been proposed, by local parties and academic organizations, to protect both inside and outside Galveston Bay. Recent studies by the SSPEED Center (Sebastian et al. (2014), Bedient (2014) and Penland (2014)), however, conclude that with a closure of Galveston Bay, a significant residual surge can occur at the HSC entrance as a result of local wind set-up. This indicates the need of a structure inside the Bay, protecting the most valuable areas. The protection system is designed for a lifetime of 100 years. To elaborate on future growth of the infrastructure the barrier is designed for an increased traffic intensity, using a 2-lane traffic of Suezmax tankers and a 1 lane traffic of Very Large Crude Carriers. As a result of local design trends and the determination of the Net Present Value (NPV) for several protection levels, a 1/1,000 years storm event is used as feasible design storm. This storm is associated with a ‘Shifted Ike+30%’ event, which is an often used term in literature, using heavier design conditions than the last major flood of Hurricane Ike (2008). This storm holds wind speeds up to 65 m/s, a design wave height of 6 m and a surge level of MSL+8 m at the HSC entrance. In addition to the Navigational Barrier, the designed protection system consists of three levee sections and an environmental section which has the function of maintaining the natural character of the area by allowing tidal movement and coastal dynamics. The levee system is designed for the complete alignment, for the environmental section is a caisson barrier proposed which is surrounded by dunes. A Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) has shown that a horizontally sliding gate is the most suitable option for the navigational barrier, resulting from a list of 10 proposed barrier types. A first technical design of the horizontally sliding gate is based on the proposed concept of Penland and Cibor (2013), consisting of a rectangular concrete gate. The gate cross-section is optimized, a movement mechanism is proposed and a foundation is designed, consisting of a sill structure on top of a pile foundation, to deal with the weak soil layers present in the area. Measures have been taken to meet all stability and strength requirements. Although the main objective is met by the concrete design, an alternative design is proposed which provides a better performance on aspects related to gate movement, aesthetics and structural requirements. This alternative design contains a steel triangular ‘truss’, on which a concrete water retaining wall is installed. The abutments and dry dock are integrated in the alignment of the levees resulting in a design that integrates with the landscape. Additionally, by the construction of a park, an exhibition and a restaurant, this barrier is also a “lifestyle attraction”, adding recreational and spatial value. It is concluded that it is beneficial to construct a barrier at the HSC entrance. The proposed designs provide feasible solutions for flood risk mitigation in the region.Hydraulic StructuresHydraulic EngineeringCivil Engineering and Geoscience
Deep Learning for Post-Contrast T1-Weighted Brain MRI Synthesis
No full textIntroduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a commonly used technique for the initial diagnosis of gliomas. T1, T2, T2-FLAIR, and post-contrast T1 with gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) can show tumor characteristics. However, using this contrast agent poses a risk to patients with kidney failures, has environmental impact, and increases cost. To address these issues, we aimed to evaluate the potential of deep learning in generating synthetic post-contrast T1 images without using contrast agents. Method: The project investigates the potential of using deep learning (DL) to generate synthetic post-contrast T1 images based on T1, T2, and T2-FLAIR provided by the Erasmus Glioma Database. Exploring different model architectures, loss functions, and input sizes to discover the optimal approach.Results: Results show that individual loss functions, input size, and model complexity slightly impact the accuracy of synthetic post-contrast T1 images. Combining loss functions, however, was the most promising approach for image generation. Models trained with ℒm could generate low detail enhancement. Resulting in 0.0478±0.0076, 0.0139±0.0036, and 0.879±0.024 for MAE, MSE, and SSIM, respectively.Conclusion: The study's findings indicate that DL is promising for generating synthetic post-contrast T1 images without using GBCAs. However, further research is required to generate realistic synthetic post-contrast T1 images. The study, however, provides a basis for future work and highlights the importance of reducing the use of GBCAs in clinical practice.Biomedical Engineering | Medical Physic
Addicks and Barker Dams: An optimization to minimize damage due to flooding
No full textThe Addicks and Barker Reservoirs, built in the forties, are located in Houston and collect precipitation and run-off from upstream areas to reduce flood risks along Buffalo Bayou to protect downtown Houston. During Hurricane Harvey (August 25 - August 30, 2017), the precipitation reached a new record of 910 mm [36.2 inches] in a 4 day period in Houston. The gates of Addicks and Barker Reservoirs were opened during the night of 27-28 August which led to major damages due to downstream flooding. Besides, non-government owned land upstream was flooded due to high water levels in the reservoirs.In this report, new design water levels for Addicks and Barker Reservoir are calculated based on inflowing discharge into the reservoirs and precipitation directly onto the reservoirs, including data of Hurricane Harvey. These calculated design water levels are compared with the critical water levels calculated based on the failure mechanisms of the dams. This study shows that the original design water level of the dams, based on the Probable Maximum Flood, are 2.83 m and 1.01 m higher than the critical water level for which failure of the dams can occur due to piping for Addicks and Barker Reservoir. However, the maximum allowed water level which is currently maintained by the United State Army Corps of Engineers, is 2.19 m and 2.46 m below the calculated critical water level. During Hurricane Harvey, these maximum allowed water levels were exceeded with 3.46 m and 1.93 m.The damage of residential properties upstream and downstream of the reservoirs are minimized based on the distribution of excess volume from the inflow of creeks and precipitation onto the reservoirs. The ratio of the amount of volume which should remain upstream of the dams and the volume discharged into the Buffalo Bayou is calculated for every considered event with its duration and return period. The ratio of Addicks Reservoir is the dominant ratio, which should be used for both reservoirs. Run-off alone already produces damage, especially for the 12h and 24h precipitation, so the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs should not release discharge into the Buffalo Bayou for small durations. For events with a longer duration, it would cause less damage to open the outlets of the reservoirs than to keep them closed. However, if the water level in the reservoir exceeds the critical water level for piping, it is advised to discharge more to the downstream area to prevent breaching of the dams. Since the critical water level is reached for approximately 25% of the events at Addicks Reservoir, mitigations against piping should be taken to improve the minimization of damage. For Barker Reservoir, the critical water level is not reached in the optimization. During big events, people living upstream will be more affected by the flooding than people living downstream since this optimization is based on the damage minimization of residential properties.MP225Master Project Repor
Emission free maintenance dredging in a harbour environment
No full textOn request of Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. a comprehensive research was performed regarding emission free maintenance dredging in a harbour environment. The project site is the Maasmond at the port of Rotterdam. It covers an area of almost 10 km2 and, on average, a monthly volume of 400.000 cubic meters of sediment needs to be dredged. The operations are currently performed using trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHD). Several new fully working emission free concept work methods were designed. These were assessed using a multi-criteria analysis, where emphasis was placed on energy reduction, reliability, interference, risk and safety. Given the scope of this research, costs are not decisive. General conclusions for the solutions contain the splitting of the total process. As the energy consumption of a conventional hopper is too high to operate on a battery cell, the work method is split into three different processes being:(i) gathering, (ii) pumping and (iii) transportation. Two work methods scored best in this research, Sloped Water Injection Dredging (SWID) and the Fully Autonomous Submerged Dredger (FASD). SWID consists of Water Injection Dredging vessels, fixed structures and autonomous barges. FASD contains the design of a submerged dredging vessel. It can be concluded that a harbour environment is suitable to perform emissions free maintenance dredging with only small alterations to the current technology
The Last Days of Socrates and Christ: <i>Euthyphro</i>, <i>Apology</i>, <i>Crito</i>, and <i>Phaedo</i> Read in Counterpoint with John’s Gospel
No full textThis paper will explore similarities between John’s Gospel and the dialogues of Plato’s The Last Days of Socrates in their portrayal of the figures of Socrates and Christ. What I intend to make plausible is that the author of John’s Gospel was acquainted with these Platonic dialogues and found them useful for casting the biography of Jesus in terms recognisable for the Greek audience for which he wrote. Certainly, the figures of Christ and Socrates were amalgamated in later early Christian writings, as has been well researched by both Michael Frede and Mark Edwards.1 What I will argue is that this amalgamation has already taken place in the first-century CE Gospel of John. It is noteworthy that, also from a pagan perspective, the compatibility of the figures of Socrates and Christ was recognised at an early stage, if indeed – as scholars such as Sebastian Brock, Fergus Millar, Craig A. Evans, and Ilaria Ramelli have argued – the letter from the Syrian Stoic philosopher Mara bar Serapion from Antioch, the manuscript of which is in the British Library, is written by a pagan and can be dated to the end of the first century CE. In this letter Mara draws a comparison between the execution of particular philosophers by their own people and the subsequent divine punishment these people receive
Mity polityczne Moellera van den Brucka
No full textThe Third Reich (Das Dritte Reich) written by Arthur Moeller van den Bruck is one of the most significant ideological manifestos of the conservative revolution during the Weimar Republic era. The aim of this article is to analyze the degree of revaluation and devaluation of elements of political myths and to reconstruct the mythological framework of thinking in this publication. Examining the values attributed to political myths in the writings of other representatives of the conservative revolution, as well as in National Socialism, will help highlight the differences between Moeller’s thought and National Socialism, as well as the entire conservative revolution movement. Moeller attributed to Germany the mission of carrying out an anti-liberal revolution, sacralizing its role. The party, which was to synthesize conservatism and nationalism, was expected to create the long-awaited Third Reich and defeat liberalism, which Moeller regarded as absolute evil. He criticized the November Revolution of 1918, as well as Marx and the Marxists, blaming them for the destruction of socialism, the wasted potential of the revolution, and the triumph of evil. The author of The Third Reich anticipated a revolution of a nationalist and conservative nature, assigning it a ‘katechonic’ role. Non-Marxist socialism was to serve as the foundation of a new order, acting as a mediator between the world of humanity and the world of good. Although Moeller, like the entire conservative revolution movement, shared superficially similar goals with National Socialism, both doctrines differed significantly in their ideological structure, making mutual influence impossible.Trzecie Imperium (Das Dritte Reich) autorstwa Arthura Moellera van den Brucka była jednym z najważniejszych manifestów ideologicznych konserwatywnej rewolucji w okresie Republiki Weimarskiej. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest analiza stopnia rewaloryzacji i dewaloryzacji elementów mitów politycznych oraz odtworzenie struktury myślenia mitycznego w tej publikacji. Przedstawienie wartości przypisywanych mitom politycznym w publicystyce innych przedstawicieli konserwatywnej rewolucji oraz w narodowym socjalizmie pozwoli na wskazanie różnic między myślą Moellera a narodowym socjalizmem, a także całym nurtem rewolucji konserwatywnej. Moeller przypisywał Niemcom misję przeprowadzenia antyliberalnej rewolucji, sakralizując ich rolę. Partia, która połączyłaby konserwatyzm z nacjonalizmem, stworzyłaby oczekiwane Trzecie Imperium i pokonała liberalizm, który Moeller uważał za absolutne zło. Krytykował on rewolucję listopadową z 1918 roku oraz Marksa i marksistów, obwiniając ich za zniszczenie socjalizmu, zmarnowanie potencjału rewolucji i przyczynienie się do triumfu zła. Autor Trzeciego Imperium oczekiwał rewolucji o charakterze nacjonalistycznym i konserwatywnym, przypisując jej katechoniczny charakter. Niemarksistowski socjalizm miał stanowić fundament nowego porządku, pełniąc funkcję pośrednika między światem ludzi a światem dobra. Choć Moeller, podobnie jak cały nurt konserwatywnej rewolucji, miał pozornie zbieżne cele z narodowym socjalizmem, obie doktryny różniły się znacząco pod względem ideowym, co uniemożliwiało ich wzajemne oddziaływanie
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