scholarly journals The Knights of Science: Medicine and Mythology

2021 ◽  
pp. 37-80
Author(s):  
Emilie Taylor-Pirie
Keyword(s):  
Medieval Romance ◽  
Arthurian Legend ◽  
Greco Roman ◽  
Professional Self ◽  
Political Speeches ◽  
Linguistic Practices ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Quest Narrative

AbstractIn this chapter Taylor-Pirie examines how parasitologists invoked myths of British nationhood in their professional self-fashioning to frame themselves as knights of science fighting on behalf of Imperial Britain. Analysing scientific lectures, political speeches, letter correspondence, obituaries, medical biographies, and journalistic essays, she draws attention to the prominence of Arthurian legend and Greco-Roman mythology in conceptualisations of parasitology, arguing that such literary-linguistic practices sought to reimagine the relationship between medicine and empire by adapting historical and poetic models of chivalry. In this way, individual researchers were lionised as national heroes and their research framed as labour that could command the longevity of legendary stories like those recounted in Homeric poems and medieval romance. In acclimatisation debates, the tropics were frequently conceptualised in relation to the Greek Underworld, a suite of references that together with dragon slaying and the quest narrative helped to position parasitology as a type of ‘crusading fiction’ in the context of the Victorian medieval revival.

Introduction

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Otto
Keyword(s):  
Roman Empire ◽  
Early Christianity ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Philo Of Alexandria ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
Greco Roman ◽  
Text Production ◽  
Church Father ◽  
Intellectual Formation ◽  
The Relationship

Between the second and the sixteenth centuries CE, references to the Jewish exegete Philo of Alexandria occur exclusively in texts written by Christians. David T. Runia has described this phenomenon as the adoption of Philo by Christians as an “honorary Church Father.” Drawing on the work of Jonathan Z. Smith and recent investigations of the “Parting of the Ways” of early Christianity and Judaism, this study argues that early Christian invocations of Philo reveal ongoing efforts to define the relationship between Jewishness and Christianness, their areas of overlap and points of divergence. The introduction situates invocations of Philo within the wider context of early Christian writing about Jews and Jewishness. It considers how Philo and his early Christian readers participated in the larger world of Greco-Roman philosophical schools, text production, and the ethical and intellectual formation (paideia) of elite young men in the Roman Empire.

An Empirical Study of the Relationship between Seasonal Precipitation and Thermodynamic Environment in Puerto Rico

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Miller ◽  
Thomas L. Mote ◽  
Craig A. Ramseyer
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Seasonal Precipitation ◽  
Surface Precipitation ◽  
Precipitation Forecasting ◽  
Caribbean Islands ◽  
K Index ◽  
Groundwater Reserves ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract With limited groundwater reserves and few reservoirs, Caribbean islands such as Puerto Rico are largely dependent on regular rainfall to meet societal and ecological water needs. Thus, the ability to anticipate seasonal rainfall shortages, such as the 2015 drought, is particularly important, yet few reliable tools exist for this purpose. Consequently, interpolated surface precipitation observations from the Daymet archive are summarized on daily, annual, and seasonal time scales and compared to the host thermodynamic environment as characterized by the Gálvez–Davison index (GDI), a convective potential parameter designed specifically for the tropics. Complementing the Daymet precipitation totals, ≥1.1 million WSR-88D volume scans between 2002 and 2016 were analyzed for echo tops ≥ 10 000 ft (~3 km) to establish a radar-inferred precipitation activity database for Puerto Rico. The 15-yr record reveals that the GDI outperforms several midlatitude-centric thermodynamic indices, explaining roughly 25% of daily 3-km echo top (ET) activity during each of Puerto Rico’s primary seasons. In contrast, neither mean-layer CAPE, the K index, nor total totals explain more than 11% during any season. When aggregated to the seasonal level, the GDI strongly relates to 3-km ET (R2 = 0.65) and Daymet precipitation totals (R2 = 0.82) during the early rainfall season (ERS; April–July), with correlations weaker outside of this period. The 4-month ERS explains 51% (41%) of the variability to Puerto Rico’s annual rainfall during exceptionally wet (dry) years. These findings are valuable for climate downscaling studies predicting Puerto Rico’s hydroclimate in future atmospheric states, and they could potentially be adapted for operational seasonal precipitation forecasting.

scholarly journals RELATIONSHIP OF SKIN MEASUREMENTS AND MILK PRODUCTION LEVELS IN CATTLE BREEDS MAINTAINED IN THE TROPICS

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-95
Author(s):  
S. F. Amakiri
Keyword(s):  
Hair Follicle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Skin Thickness ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Cattle Breeds ◽  
Positive Linear Correlation ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

The relationship between mean skin thickness or hair follicle depth of the skin from the midside (12th rib) area and milk production levels of pure Friesian (Holstein)cattle breeds, their ¾ and 7/8 crosses with White Fulani zebu, and pure White Fulanis, maintained in South-Western Nigeria were studied. A strongly positive linear correlation (r = 0.9), significant at 1% level was found between skin thickness and hair follicle depth, and milk production levels in these breeds. The results indicate that for cows maintained in a hot humid tropical environment, comparative midside skin thickness and hair follicle depth could be used as indices of the milk production potential of cows. It could be a useful field tool for selection of cows for milk production when considered along with other characteristics

scholarly journals The Barbados Cloud Observatory: Anchoring Investigations of Clouds and Circulation on the Edge of the ITCZ

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 787-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjorn Stevens ◽  
David Farrell ◽  
Lutz Hirsch ◽  
Friedhelm Jansen ◽  
Louise Nuijens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Seasonal Migration ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Boreal Summer ◽  
Max Planck ◽  
Research Aircraft ◽  
Meteorological Impact ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Clouds over the ocean, particularly throughout the tropics, are poorly understood and drive much of the uncertainty in model-based projections of climate change. In early 2010, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology established the Barbados Cloud Observatory (BCO) on the windward edge of Barbados. At 13°N the BCO samples the seasonal migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), from the well-developed winter trades dominated by shallow cumulus to the transition to deep convection as the ITCZ migrates northward during boreal summer. The BCO is also well situated to observe the remote meteorological impact of Saharan dust and biomass burning. In its first six years of operation, and through complementary intensive observing periods using the German High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft (HALO), the BCO has become a cornerstone of efforts to understand the relationship between cloudiness, circulation, and climate change.

Happiness in the tropics: climate variables and subjective wellbeing

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Oscar Zapata
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Changes in climatic patterns are expected to have significant effects on health and wellbeing. However, the literature on the effect of climate on subjective wellbeing remains scant and existing studies focus mostly on developed countries or cross-country analyses. This paper aims to identify the relationship between climate conditions on happiness after controlling for individual and social characteristics. Ecuador, a geographically fragmented country with varying climate conditions across municipalities, constitutes an ideal case study to assess the effect of climate variables on happiness. We employ a cross-section analysis to identify the effect of temperature, precipitation and humidity on happiness. The paper shows that climate conditions constitute an important determinant of people's subjective wellbeing. The results also suggest that income and education attenuate the effect of temperature on happiness and that substantial differences are observed depending on whether places are hot/humid or cold/dry.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Brown Adipose Tissue Activity and Neoplastic Status: an 18F-FDG PET/CT Study in the Tropics

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yung-Cheng Huang ◽  
Tai-Been Chen ◽  
Chien-Chin Hsu ◽  
Shau-Hsuan Li ◽  
Pei-Wen Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Fdg Pet ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
18F Fdg ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue Activity ◽  
Fdg Pet Ct ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Using environmental niche modelling to investigate abiotic predictors of crocodilian attacks on people

Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 639-647
Author(s):  
George Powell ◽  
Thomas M. M. Versluys ◽  
Jessica J. Williams ◽  
Sonia Tiedt ◽  
Simon Pooley
Keyword(s):  
Human Life ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Alligator Mississippiensis ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Human Safety ◽  
Hunting Behaviour ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractCrocodilians are distributed widely through the tropics and subtropics, and several species pose a substantial threat to human life. This has important implications for human safety and crocodilian conservation. Understanding the drivers of crocodilian attacks on people could help minimize future attacks and inform conflict management. Crocodilian attacks follow a seasonal pattern in many regions, but there has been limited analysis of the relationship between attack occurrence and fine-scale contemporaneous environmental conditions. We use methods from environmental niche modelling to explore the relationships between attacks on people and abiotic predictors at a daily temporal resolution for the Nile crocodile Crocodylus niloticus in South Africa and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), and the American alligator Alligator mississippiensis in Florida, USA. Our results indicate that ambient daily temperature is the most important abiotic temporal predictor of attack occurrence for both species, with attack likelihood increasing markedly when mean daily temperatures exceed 18 °C and peaking at 28 °C. It is likely that this relationship is explained partially by human propensity to spend time in and around water in warmer weather but also by the effect of temperature on crocodilian hunting behaviour and physiology, especially the ability to digest food. We discuss the potential of our findings to contribute to the management of crocodilians, with benefits for both human safety and conservation, and the application of environmental niche modelling for understanding human–wildlife conflicts involving both ectotherms and endotherms.

Embodied Inner Human Being

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 20-57
Author(s):  
Annette Weissenrieder ◽  
Gregor Etzelmüller
Keyword(s):  
Deep Understanding ◽  
The Body ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Ancient Medicine ◽  
The Core ◽  
Greco Roman ◽  
Medicine And Philosophy ◽  
Philosophical Texts ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

In this paper we take issue with George H. van Kooten’s recent argument that Paul’s concept of inner human being has a background in ancient philosophical treatises as a metaphor of the soul. We argue that its Greco-Roman physiological meaning was decisive in its adoption by Paul and that the split between ancient medicine and philosophy was not essential in antiquity. Ancient medical-philosophical texts did not focus on the core or center of a person but rather sought a deep understanding of his or her inner aspects. These texts sought to understand how it is that we can discover bodily information about this inner person and to what degree the relationship between the inner and outer person can be interpreted. At the same time, however, we are discussing Walter Burkert’s evolutionary understanding of Pauline’s concept of the inner and outer human being. Paul’s definition of the inner human being corresponds to recent anthropological concepts of embodiment insofar as the visible outer human being has an inside which, according to Paul, is not detached from the body, but must be grasped from a physical perspective.

scholarly journals Farm Animal Welfare and Handling in the Tropics: The Ethiopia Case

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bimrew Asmare
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Ethical Basis

The issue of farm animal welfare has become increasingly of essence in many countries these days. Farm animal welfare concerns are expressed about the conditions in which farm animals are kept and management practices, particularly in systems where animals are kept in confinement for most of their lives, feed methods, health care, and expression of normal behaviors. The use of an ethical basis for animal welfare standards requires some generally accepted principles on how animals should be treated and used by humans. Animals have enormous capacity to feel a huge range of emotions, to learn from their experiences, to adapt to challenges, and to suffer when their needs are either ignored or disrespected. It is now time, in the evolution of the relationship between humans and animals, to move forward with this knowledge and take real action to improve the lives of farm animals. The use of behavioral principles should improve efficiency of livestock handling and reduce stress on animals. Changing public opinion about the importance of good animal welfare and applying legislative actions will be important in animal production systems especially in developing countries where the poor animal welfare is immense and production management is below substandards.

Narrating fragile stories about HIV/AIDS in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven P. Black
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Linguistic Analysis ◽  
Verbal Art ◽  
Close Analysis ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Linguistic Practices ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hiv Aids

This article analyzes narratives about living with HIV/ AIDS amid stigma, using the notion of “fragile stories” to further detail the linguistic practices through which people narrate experiences in danger of not being told. The article is based on fieldwork in 2008 in Durban, South Africa with a Zulu gospel choir in which all group members are living with HIV/AIDS. Close analysis of recorded narratives demonstrates how institutional story frameworks and the normative performance of gender helped storytellers to breach boundaries drawn by stigma. The article consolidates research on narrative tellability and fragile stories, verbal art, and stigma. The article has implications for research amid stigma, advocating linguistic analysis of narrative to emphasize the relationship between stories told and life events involving stigmatization.

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