22 research outputs found
Materialising cultural value in the English lakes, 1735-1845 : a study of the responses of new landowners to representations of place and people
No full textThis thesis explores responses to the cultural construction in the developing identity of the English Lakes from 1735 to 1845, through studies of three landowners. The principal focus is Derwentwater. The Greenwich Hospital held estates from 1735 to 1832, Lord William Gordon from 1781 to 1823, and John Marshall of Leeds, the flax spinner, from 1810 and 1845. The study classifies the identity of the English Lakes and its inhabitants with Regions of Romance, as a territory increasingly occupied by the romantic antithesis of the dominant thesis within the modern age. The cultural identity of the English Lakes is considered as a construction of Throsby’s cultural values, established through discourse and overlaid upon economic values. This anthropological approach to culture recognises both aesthetic and social cultural assets. The acquisition, management and disposal of landowners estates are examined to evidence the materialisation of cultural values, whether through the agency of discourse, the influence of others, or personal experience. During the eighteenth century the Hospital responded to criticism minimally, by planting the Derwentwater shore. Lord William Gordon responded strongly to discourse by creating a picturesque park which demonstrated his taste and values, and by completing the picturesque occupation of Derwentwater by 1787. Wordsworth influenced the choice and management of John Marshall’s extensive estates from 1811, providing an early materialisation of the principles in Wordsworth’s Guide. In the early nineteenth century the Hospital protected their Keswick woods, before selling the estate in 1832 at auction to John Marshall at a low price. The study demonstrates a significant and growing intervention by these landowners to materialise aesthetic cultural value, but with little response to social cultural values, though cultural landscape was preserved. An early private path of intervention in the English Lakes is demonstrated, which feeds into the later and better known public path
Seabed Protection Systems to prevent Scour from High-Speed Ships
No full textThis document reviews the scour protection systems required around port structures
where these are to be used for the berthing of vessels powered by water jet systems.
The development of a scour protection system at Poole Harbour in Dorset has been
documented and reviewed and a series of laboratory investigations were then
undertaken. This has enabled a greater understanding of the scour mechanisms from
the water jet propulsion systems of High Speed Ships. This work has shown that
current design guidance on scour protection is not appropriate for use on berths used
by High Speed Ships, that failure of these systems can occur rapidly and
catastrophically, and secondary effects from water jets may promote the failure of
quay walls. The scour protection system should comprise two individual elements, a
filter layer and an armour layer. It has been found that systems involving individual
isolated armour units are inappropriate and prone to failure and that shaped linked
armour blocks need to be used. The loads on the armour layer were also found to be
oscillatory and the materials used for both the armour and filter layers need to be
designed for cyclic fatigue loading and fretting. Water jets are also capable of
reducing the strength of permeable, seabed strata
The communicative aspects of trade marks : a legal, functional and economic analysis.
No full textPhDThe Ph.D. thesis looks extensively at the history and functions of trade marks and
attempts to outline a theory for trade mark protection established on their
communicative aspects. The second chapter is a historical note which looks at trade
marks as traces of history and sets the grounds for a functional analysis. The third
chapter deals with the proprietary aspects of trade marks, seeking to establish a
theoretical deontological argument for their legal protection. The functional analysis of
trade marks concentrates on their contemporary role as a fiat of information between
marketers, consumers and competitors. The economic analysis is developed around the
dualistic nature of trade marks, being on the one hand an essential prerequisite for
competition and on the other a potentially perpetual monopoly. The balance between the
two as depicted by their legal protection is being continuously re-established. The main
object of this thesis is to show that it is the nature of trade marks as a multidirectional
system of exchange of information that must form the basis for their protection
Methodological problems in cross-country analyses of economic growth
No full textMany cross country studies have been conducted over the last twenty years to explain how various factors affect economic growth rates in the developing countries. The data in these studies - which underlie international economic comparisons and serve as the basis for economic policy recommendations - give researchers the systematic and scientific information required for their investigations. But the conclusions are often fragile and sometimes contradictory. This paper finds that research results are sensitive to the choices of components, the aim of the investigation, and the type of model used. In general, researchers need to have better statistical data, particularly on economic policy indicators, and must subject the selected sample to careful tests. Cross-country studies are particularly unreliable when it comes to estimating the economic impact of government budgetary and regulatory policies. These studies thus provide only a weak basis for developing country economic policies.Economic Theory&Research,Achieving Shared Growth,Inequality,Governance Indicators,Economic Conditions and Volatility
Characterisation of Cryptosporidium growth and propogation in cell free environments
No full textCryptosporidium is an enteric parasite that has a global impact on the health and survival of millions of people and animals worldwide. The resistant oocyst stage of the organism's life cycle is excreted in the faeces of infected animals and humans and can contaminate sources of drinking water. Cryptosporidium currently represents the major public health concern of water utilities in developed nations as the oocysts produced by Cryptosporidium are extremely hardy, easily spread via water, resistant to chlorine and are difficult to inactivate or remove from water intended for consumption without the use of filtration.
Recent developments in the in vitro cultivation have revealed that C. parvum can complete its life cycle in media devoid of host cells, which highlights the paucity of knowledge about the developmental biology of this parasite. This finding supports other biological and phylogenetic analysis suggesting that Cryptosporidium has a closer affinity with gregarines than with the coccidia. This thesis investigates the growth and propagation of Cryptosporidium in cell free environments.
A current limitation of host cell-free cultivation is the difficulty involved in visualising the life-cycle stages as they are very small in size and morphologically difficult to identify and dispersed throughout the media. This is in contrast to conventional cell culture methods for Cryptosporidium, where it is possible to focus on the host cells and view the foci of infection on the host cells. Three specific and three non-specific techniques for visualising C. parvum life-cycle stages in cell-free culture were compared; antibody staining using anti-sporozoite and anti-oocyst wall antibodies (Sporo-Glo™ and Crypto Cel), fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) using a Cryptosporidium specific rRNA oligonucleotide probe and the non-specific dyes; texas red, carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and 4,6’ diamino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI). Results revealed that a combination of Sporo-Glo™ and Crypto Cel staining resulted in easy and reliable identification of all life cycle stages.
This thesis reports for the first time the completion of the life cycle of C. hominis in cell-free culture and multiplication of the parasite via qPCR. Individual life cycle stages were characterised using Cryptosporidium-specific antibody staining (Sporo-GloTM) and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) staining on cultures inoculated with excysted oocysts and purified sporozoites. In both cultures, C. hominis successfully proliferated and completed its life cycle, however development in cultures inoculated with purified sporozoites lagged behind cultures inoculated with excysted oocysts. Some novel findings of the study include the visualisation of pairing and multiple associations between various developmental stages in a process similar to syzygy and the formation of Cryptosporidium stages (trophozoites and meronts) inside the oocysts without excystation. qPCR analysis revealed a 5-6-fold amplification of parasite DNA. Future studies are required to improve the amplification of the parasite.
Chapter 5 describes the complete development of all life cycle stages of Cryptosporidium parvum (cattle genotype) in water. This is the first report in which Cryptosporidium is shown to develop and complete its life cycle in water. Amplification of parasite numbers in water was quantified using oocyst counts and quantitative PCR (q-PCR). Daily monitoring by microscopy revealed that some oocysts, when placed in tap or rain water and incubated at 4, 15, 24 and 37°C, would excyst, releasing sporozoites resulting in continuation of the life cycle and production of new oocysts. Manual oocyst counts and qPCR analysis at days 0, 3, 6, 9 and12, when compared with the initial inoculum, showed a small but significant increase in oocyst numbers and oocyst equivalents, respectively.
A study was also conducted to determine if meront and merozoite life cycle stages derived from C. parvum oocysts incubated in rain water at 24°C were infective to neonatal ARC/Swiss mice. Each mouse was inoculated with approximately 25,000 meronts and merozoites, meronts were counted as ‘1’ stage. An estimated 1.1 x106 oocysts were recovered from 6 mice, therefore on average of 183,333 oocysts per mouse was recovered. This represents a 7.3 fold increase from the number of stages, which were inoculated into the mice. This study provided some evidence that meront and merozoite life cycle stages are capable of causing infection in neonatal mice. This is the first report of life cycle stages of Cryptosporidium other than the oocyst causing infection, however further research is required to confirm this.
The finding of this thesis will greatly assist in our understanding of the developmental biology of Cryptosporidium, its position within the Apicomplexa and its relationship to gregarine protozoa
Characterisation of mixed microbial populations in white mineral dispersions
No full textIn recent years, the microbiology of white mineral dispersions and the application of
microbiocides for their preservation have taken a central role for the producer and
user with the aim of maintaining high quality requirements such as brightness,
rheological parameters, and odour neutrality. Additionally, new applications of
mineral dispersions set to open up markets in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical
applications have aroused the interest in the microbiology of white mineral
dispersions. Due to the occurrence of biocide resistant bacteria, technical limitations
in the usage of biocides, as well as the more rigorous regulatory situation created by
the BPD, the demand for new biocide research to ensure continuing effective WMD
preservation is increasing. Despite efforts to optimise the application of
microbiocides for the storage and protection of mineral dispersions, costs for
preservation and disinfection are escalating. These are reasons why the current
preservation strategies have been revisited and new preservation strategies have been
designed.
The work described in this thesis demonstrates that the microbial diversity of
white mineral dispersions is greater than previously assumed and gives detailed
insight about the microbial diversity of mineral dispersions. The occurrence of
microbial contamination in mineral dispersions is of a seasonal nature rather than
manufacture site or product type specific. Furthermore, the incidence of biocideresistant
bacteria in mineral slurries is increasing and the microbial degradation
products of biocidal compounds are disadvantageous for dispersion stability (pH and
viscosity). New strategies for the preservation of mineral dispersions have been
developed and biocide performance against biocide-resistance bacteria has been
enhanced by combining in-use biocides with a range of non-biocidal additives.
The industrial application of these new findings contributes to a more efficient
preservation of white mineral dispersions with respect to both environmental as well
as financial resources and opens up a basis for alternative preservation strategies of
white mineral dispersions
The physiology and biochemistry of the Laminaria Pallida/Carpoblepharis Minima and Ecklonia Maxima/Suhria Vittata associations from South-Western Cape waters, South Africa
No full textBibliography: leaves 129-140.The two laminarian brown algae Laminaria pallida Grev. ex. J. Ag. and Eoklonia maxima (Osb.) Papenf. are important both economically and as major components of the South-western Cape waters, South Africa. Growing attached to these brown algae are several different species of red algae two of which, Carpoblepharis minima Bart. and Suhria vittata (L.) J. Ag., were chosen and. the L. pallida/C. minima and. E. maxima/S. vittata associations were studied using physiological and biochemical methods. Carpoblepharis minima has only been observed on L. pallida, whereas S. vittata has been found attached to various substrates as well as to E. maxima
The teaching of non-professional artists in eighteenth century England.
No full textPhDThe introductory chapter explains terms used throughout
this thesis and why this period was chosen for study. The
history of the introduction of drawing to the curriculum of
Christ's Hospital, the Lens family who were the drawing
masters there, and their drawing manuals and teaching
methods are the subject of the second chapter. The third
deals with the teaching of drawing at private academies,
particularly Thomas Weston's in Greenwich, and with his and
the Bickham family's activities as drawing masters to the
pupils of this academy and the children at the Royal Naval
Hospital. William and Sawrey Gilpin at Cheam Preparatory
School are examined through the surviving correspondence of
the Grimstons of Kilnwick in chapter four.
Alexander Cozens's activities as a drawing master
occupy the remaining half of the thesis. Chapter five
explains how he himself learnt to draw and describes his
earliest known employment as a drawing master at Christ's
Hospital from 1749 to 1754. Chapter six traces his
activities through the 1750's as a private drawing master
and as the author of publications intended to assist the
artistic invention of amateurs and professionals alike. It
also examines his relationship with his son, John Robert
Cozens, with Sir George Beaumont at Eton College, and with
Henry Stebbing who studied Cozeris's 'blot' method. Chapter
seven examines the activities of three of Cozens's private
pupils through their surviving work and family papers in
order to ascertain the element of original artistic
creativity in the landscapes produced under his instruction.
The concluding chapter considers why art education
gained considerable importance in the education of young
gentlemen and gentlewomen during this period, and whether
the drawing masters' methods of teaching them changed.
Finally, the role of drawing masters as creators and
disseminators of artistic theories and their contribution to
the development of English landscape watercolour painting
are discussed.Central research Fund of the University of Londo
Rooted in all its story, more is meant than meets the ear : a study of the relational and revelational nature of George MacDonald's mythopoeic art
No full textScholars and storytellers alike have deemed George MacDonald a great mythopoeic writer, an exemplar of the art. Examination of this accolade by those who first applied it to him proves it profoundly theological: for them a mythopoeic tale was a relational medium through which transformation might occur, transcending boundaries of time and space. The implications challenge much contemporary critical study of MacDonald, for they demand that his literary life and his theological life cannot be divorced if either is to be adequately assessed. Yet they prove consistent with the critical methodology MacDonald himself models and promotes. Utilizing MacDonald’s relational methodology evinces his intentional facilitating of Mythopoesis. It also reveals how oversights have impeded critical readings both of MacDonald’s writing and of his character. It evokes a redressing of MacDonald’s relationship with his Scottish cultural, theological, and familial environment – of how his writing is a response that rises out of these, rather than, as has so often been asserted, a mere reaction against them. Consequently it becomes evident that key relationships, both literary and personal, have been neglected in MacDonald scholarship – relationships that confirm MacDonald’s convictions and inform his writing, and the examination of which restores his identity as a literature scholar. Of particular relational import in this reassessment is A.J. Scott, a Scottish visionary intentionally chosen by MacDonald to mentor him in a holistic Weltanschauung. Little has been written on Scott, yet not only was he MacDonald’s prime influence in adulthood, but he forged the literary vocation that became MacDonald’s own. Previously unexamined personal and textual engagement with John Ruskin enables entirely new readings of standard MacDonald texts, as does the textual engagement with Matthew Arnold and F.D. Maurice. These close readings, informed by the established context, demonstrate MacDonald’s emergence, practice, and intent as a mythopoeic writer
