2,431 research outputs found
Raymond Williams and the limits of cultural materialism
No full textCultural materialism has become an influential discipline in recent
years, particularly so in 'Renaissance' studies, but also more generally in
'English', as well as departments defined as practising 'cultural' or
'communications' studies. The phrase is usually linked with the name of
Raymond Williams, but a cursory examination of Williams's own work
quickly establishes that it is a phrase he rarely uses, and only schematically
attempts to define. The thesis therefore takes the form of an investigation into
the way cultural materialism has come to be understood, by examining in
detail the trajectory of Raymond Williams's theoretical development, and how
his own engagement with various theoretical positions has helped to set
'limits' on the meaning of cultural materialism.
Chapters 1 and 2 deal with some of Williams's earliest work,
particularly Reading and Criticism, as a way of investigating how reasonable
it is to tag him as a 'Left-Leavisite', arguing that Leavis's undoubted
influence is resisted (though not entirely rejected) from a very early stage. The
first chapter considers in detail Leavis's work at Cambridge, the influence of
Eliot, and the significance of the 'Organic Community'. Chapter 2, which is
based around a comparative analysis of Williams's and Leavis's readings of
Dickens, argues that Williams rejects the 'organic community' in favour of his
'knowable community'. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with specific 'theoretical'
issues: the first, based around a reading of Terry Eagleton's critique of
Williams's use of the Marxist metaphor of 'base and superstructure', shows
some of the problems which arise from Williams's cultural model, as well as
suggesting refinements; the second deals with the influence of Volosinov's
theories on Williams. Chapter 6 comes out of Williams's readings of the
'Country-House' poems in The Country and the City, showing how his
practice of literary criticism relies on an acceptance of 'ideology' apparently
denied in his more 'theoretical' writings. This analysis is extended as a result
of investigations into the 'De L'Isle' manuscripts relating to the Penshurst
estate. Chapter 7 argues that it is possible to see the work of Fredric Jameson
as developing Williams's cultural materialism into Jameson's debates on
postmodernism.
In the Introduction and Conclusion, I have taken the opportunity to
look briefly at the activity of cultural materialism as it has developed since
Raymond Williams's death in 1988. The Introduction emphasizes what I see
to be important methodological differences between 'cultural materialism'
and 'new historicism'; the Conclusion deals with the continuing debate over
the value of a cultural materialist approach by considering the 'appropriation'
of Shakespeare
Adapting authoritarianism: institutions and co-optation in Egypt and Syria
No full textThis PhD thesis compares Egypt and Syria’s authoritarian political systems. While the tendency in social science political research treats Egypt and Syria as similarly authoritarian, this research emphasizes differences between the two systems with special reference to institutions and co-optation. Rather than reducibly understanding Egypt and Syria as sharing similar histories, institutional arrangements, or ascribing to the oft-repeated convention that “Syria is Egypt but 10 years behind,” this thesis focuses on how events and individual histories shaped each states current institutional strengthens and weaknesses. Specifically, it explains the how varying institutional politicization or de-politicization affects each state’s capabilities for co-opting elite and non-elite individuals.
Beginning with a theoretical framework that considers the limited utility of democratization and transition theoretical approaches, the work underscores the persistence and durability of authoritarianism. Chapter two details the politicized institutional divergence between Egypt and Syria that began in the 1970s. Chapter three and four examines how institutional politicization or de-politicization affects elite and non-elite individual co-optation in Egypt and Syria. Chapter five discusses the study’s general conclusions and theoretical implications.
This thesis’s argument is that Egypt and Syria co-opt elites and non-elites differently because of the varying degrees of institutional politicization in each governance system. Rather than view one country as more politically developed than the other, this work argues that Syria’s political institutions are more politicized than their Egyptian counterparts. Syria’s political arena is, thus, described as politicized-patrimonialism. Syria’s politicized-patrimonial arena produces uneven co-optation of elites and non-elites as they are diffused through competing institutions. Conversely, the Egyptian political arena remains highly personalized as weak institutions and individuals are manipulated and molded according to the president’s ruling clique. This is referred to as personalized-patrimonialism. As a consequence, Egypt’s political establishment demonstrates more flexibility in ad hoc altering and adapting its arena depending on the emergence of crises.
This study’s theoretical implications suggest that, contrary to modernization and democratization theory’s adage that institutions lead to a political development, politicized institutions within a patrimonial order actually hinder regime adaptation because consensus is harder to achieve and maintain. It is within this context that Egypt’s de-politicized institutional framework advantages its top political elite. In this reading of Egyptian and Syrian politics, Egypt’s personalized political arena is more adaptable than Syria’s. These conclusions do not indicate that political reform is a process underway in either state
Psychosocial outcomes and drug attributes affecting treatment choice in men receiving sildenafil citrate and tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: Results of a multicenter, randomized, open-label, crossover study
No full textIntroduction. Although sildenafil citrate (sildenafil) and tadalafil are efficacious and well-tolerated treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED), preference studies have shown that patients may favor one medication over the other. Aim. To determine whether psychosocial outcomes differed when men with ED received tadalafil compared with sildenafil. Main Outcome Measures. Measures included a treatment preference question, Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (PAIRS), and Drug Attribute Questionnaire. Methods. Randomized, open-label, crossover study. After a 4-week baseline, men with ED (N = 367; mean age = 54 years; naive to type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor therapy) were randomized: tadalafil for 12 weeks then sildenafil for 12 weeks or vice versa (8-week dose optimization/4-week assessment phases). During dose optimization, patients started with 10 mg tadalafil, or 25 or 50 mg sildenafil and could titrate to their optimal dose (10 or 20 mg tadalafil; 25, 50, or 100 mg sildenafil). Medications were taken as needed. Patients completing both 12-week periods chose which medication to continue during an 8-week extension. Results. Of 291 men completing both treatment periods, 71% (N = 206) chose tadalafil and 29% (N = 85) chose sildenafil (P < 0.001) for the 8-week extension. When taking tadalafil compared with sildenafil men had higher mean endpoint scores on PAIRS Sexual Self-Confidence (tadalafil = 2.91 vs. sildenafil = 2.75; P < 0.001) and Spontaneity (tadalafil = 3.32 vs. sildenafil = 3.17; P < 0.001) Domains and a lower mean endpoint score on Time Concerns Domain (tadalafil = 2.2 vs. sildenafil = 2.59; P < 0.001). The two most frequently chosen drug attributes to explain treatment preference were ability to get an erection long after taking the medication and firmness of erections. Tadalafil and sildenafil were well tolerated with 12 (3.3%) patients discontinuing for an adverse event. Conclusions. As measured with PAIRS, men with ED had higher sexual self-confidence and spontaneity and less time concerns related to sexual encounters when treated with tadalafil compared with sildenafil. These psychosocial outcomes may help explain why more men (71%) preferred tadalafil for the treatment of ED in this clinical trial
Letter from Raymond C. Patterson, Director of Internal Affairs, the American Legion, to Lillian Baker, October 21, 1983
No full textCopy of correspondence between the director of Internal Affairs at the American Legion and Lillian Baker with copies of rebuttals written by Lillian Baker against Japanese American reparations.The Japanese American Relocation Collection is composed of ephemera related to the relocation program during World War II. Items include the official government report of Manzanar Relocation Center, a photo album, post-war activism materials related to preserving and remembering the camps, various clippings, and documents. The strength of this collection is found in its many perspectives on the controversial relocation program and how it has been presented since World War II
Best Practices in Robot-assisted Radical Cystectomy and Urinary Reconstruction: Recommendations of the Pasadena Consensus Panel
No full textCONTEXT
Robot-assisted surgery is increasingly used for radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary reconstruction. Sufficient data have accumulated to allow evidence-based consensus on key issues such as perioperative management, comparative effectiveness on surgical complications, and oncologic short- to midterm outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
A 2-d conference of experts on RC and urinary reconstruction was organized in Pasadena, California, and the City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, California, to systematically review existing peer-reviewed literature on robot-assisted RC (RARC), extended lymphadenectomy, and urinary reconstruction. No commercial support was obtained for the conference.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A systematic review of the literature was performed in agreement with the PRISMA statement.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Systematic literature reviews and individual presentations were discussed, and consensus on all key issues was obtained. Most operative, intermediate-term oncologic, functional, and complication outcomes are similar between open RC (ORC) and RARC. RARC consistently results in less blood loss and a reduced need for transfusion during surgery. RARC generally requires longer operative time than ORC, particularly with intracorporeal reconstruction. Robotic assistance provides ergonomic value for surgeons. Surgeon experience and institutional volume strongly predict favorable outcomes for either open or robotic techniques.
CONCLUSIONS
RARC appears to be similar to ORC in terms of operative, pathologic, intermediate-term oncologic, complication, and most functional outcomes. RARC consistently results in less blood loss and a reduced need for transfusion during surgery. RARC can be more expensive than ORC, although high procedural volume may attenuate this difference.
PATIENT SUMMARY
Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is an alternative to open surgery for patients with bladder cancer who require removal of their bladder and reconstruction of their urinary tract. RARC appears to be similar to open surgery for most important outcomes such as the rate of complications and intermediate-term cancer-specific survival. Although RARC has some ergonomic advantages for surgeons and may result in less blood loss during surgery, it is more time consuming and may be more expensive than open surgery
Medical therapy options for aging men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: focus on alfuzosin 10 mg once daily
No full textClaus G Roehrborn1, Raymond C Rosen21Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA; 2New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA, USAAbstract: Lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) are common in aging men and can significantly affect quality of life. Men with bothersome LUTS/BPH often present with various other age-related conditions, including sexual dysfunction, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome, which can complicate management decisions. Therefore, healthcare providers should be familiar with first-line treatment options for LUTS/BPH and their differing safety profiles, particularly with respect to cardiovascular and sexual function side effects. This article presents a review of first-line medical therapy options for managing aging men with LUTS/BPH and patient considerations when evaluating and selecting these therapies, with a focus on the clinical efficacy and cardiovascular and sexual function safety profiles of the uroselective α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist alfuzosin 10 mg once daily. Alfuzosin improves LUTS, peak urinary flow rates, and disease-specific quality of life, reduces the long-term risk of overall BPH progression, and is well tolerated in aging men, with minimal vasodilatory and sexual function side effects, even in those with comorbidities. Alfuzosin is well tolerated when used in combination with antihypertensive medications and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The long-term clinical efficacy and good cardiovascular and sexual function safety profile of alfuzosin can contribute to an improved quality of life for aging men with LUTS/BPH.Keywords: alfuzosin, lower urinary tract symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia, aging, cardiovascular system, sexual functio
Economic incentives and point source emissions : choice of modeling platform
No full textThe purpose of this study is to identify the best modeling platform for the analysis of alternative environmental policy instruments designed to reduce the emission of pollutants from point sources, most notably, central power generating stations and manufacturing facilities. The primary analysis of concern is a cost-effectiveness investigation of the policy; where for the most part, the cost of compliance is a multidimensional variable that includes the private costs incurred by the owners of the facility, measures of the change in the cost of providing the facility's product, and estimates of the change in facility capacity factors. The range of pollutants under consideration include the usual menu of air- and waterborne emissions as well as solid and liquid wastes finding their way to landfills and other such disposal options. The range of policies considered include: (a) tariffs on the emission of pollutants; (b) tariffs and subsidies applied to the inputs or the outputs of the point source activities under consideration; (c) limits on the pollutant emissions themselves; and (d) directives regarding the installation of particular equipment and/or the alteration of process activities. The paper also discusses a nonexhaustive set of issues associated with the modeling of point source emissions and policies for their control.Economic Theory&Research,Access to Markets,Markets and Market Access,Consumption,Environmental Economics&Policies
The Nebraska Stream Surveys--The Photographs: Nebraska Streams Photographed During Raymond Johnson\u27s Statewide Stream Fishery Survey (1939-41) and How They Look Now, 78 Years Later.
No full textRaymond E. Johnson and associates surveyed Nebraska\u27s streams for fish (1939-1941). This print-ready pdf shows original photographs from the survey side-by-side with the author\u27s recent photographs from the same or nearby locations, along with comments regarding changes observed. Includes map and index of locations
V-Mail Written by Raymond L. Gaillaguet to the Bryant College Service Club Dated February 25, 1945
No full text[Transcription begins]
Cpl. R. Gaillaguet 32829484Co B 508 Para 104APO 230 c/o PM NY NYFEB 25, 1945
Bryant College Service ClubBryant CollegeProvidence, Rhode IslandUSA
Hello, Service Club Members:
Just received your bulletin postmarked Dec. 8. Was glad to get news from the old school. Do send some candies whenever you get the chance.
I have now a new address. I am now attached to the 82 A/B Division. As you probably know I formerly was with the 1st Airborne Task Force. So there isn’t much change.
Would like to hear more about members of the class of ’41. Received news from Herm Rosen recently. He’s still a first lieutenant somewhere in England.
Have been raising h___ in Germany for the past few weeks. Hope that this mess will soon be over and that we are home again for the alma mater reunion.
Best of luck and keep on sending your bulletin (I have had only two in over a year overseas).
Yours trulyRaymond Gaillaguet
[Transcription ends
sUAS integration into the Mode C Veil using an enterprise architecting framework
No full textThesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2019Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 152-159).Integrating small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) into the national airspace system (NAS) represents a challenging problem set that requires consideration through multiple lenses. Like most complex problems, considering one class of constraints is inadequate to developing a solution that satisfies all interested stakeholders. Rather than focusing solely on the technological limitations of sUAS operation, this work employs the Architecting Innovative Enterprise Strategy (ARIES) Framework to understand the current and future landscapes for the NAS. This work considers the ecosystem that influences the NAS and the key stakeholders with decision-making authority. The author uses the ARIES elements (strategy, information, infrastructure, products, services, processes, organizations, and knowledge) to holistically describe the current architecture that allows for very limited sUAS operations in the Mode C Veil.After considering the ongoing efforts to integrate sUAS into the NAS, the envisioned future describes how the enterprise may transform under ideal conditions. This thesis incorporates aspects of the current architecture for sUAS operations and provides a recommended future architecture that expands sUAS use. By identifying current limitations and incorporating emerging mitigation techniques, the author is able to develop and evaluate different alternatives. These alternatives seek to address externalities that emerge from the increased use of sUAS in close proximity to the general public. Such externalities include safety, security, privacy, and transparency concerns. The recommended future architecture relies on airborne systems to detect and avoid manned aircraft and utilizes an unmanned traffic management system for information sharing and flight coordination.This architecture requires significant investment in developing a shared database to manage unmanned vehicle operations, but provides the structure and functions required to make sUAS operations feasible when considering constraints, externalities, and public acceptance.by Raymond Thomas Vetter.S.M. in Engineering and ManagementS.M.inEngineeringandManagement Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Progra
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