scholarly journals Astronomy and its role in ancient Mesoamerica

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S260) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Šprajc

AbstractThe observation of the sky had an important rôle among the Maya, Aztecs and other prehispanic peoples of Mesoamerica. Their familiarity with the regularities of the apparent motion of the Sun, the Moon and bright planets is attested in a large amount of astronomical data contained in codices and monumental hieroglyphic inscriptions, as well as in their sophisticated calendrical system. On the other hand, the study of architectural alignments has disclosed that civic and ceremonial buildings were largely oriented on astronomical grounds, mostly to sunrises and sunsets on certain dates, allowing the use of observational calendars that facilitated a proper scheduling of agricultural and the associated ritual activities in the yearly cycle. Both accurate knowledge and other astronomically-derived concepts reveal that the significance attributed to certain celestial events by the ancient Mesoamericans can be explained in terms of the relationship of these phenomena with specific environmental and cultural facts, such as seasonal climatic changes and subsistence strategies. It was particularly due to its practical utility that astronomy, intertwined with religious ideas and practices, had such an important place in the worldview and, consequently, in the cosmologically substantiated political ideology of Mesoamerican societies

Author(s):  
Raymond Pierotti ◽  
Brandy R. Fogg

This chapter focuses on an intriguing aspect of the relationship of humans with wolves in North America and parts of eastern Siberia—that wolves are considered “creator” figures, suggesting that they played an important role in the way humans conceived of themselves as they adapted to new environmental conditions. Thus, wolves could function as both teacher and creator to peoples who were willing to respect wolves as hunters and pay attention to the examples they set. A related trope, often confused with the creator figure, is the idea of smaller canids such as coyotes and foxes as “trickster” figures. The chapter then addresses why tricksters among many American tribes are scavengers and omnivores, for example, coyotes and ravens, occupying an ecological mediating position between herbivores and carnivores and “in between” in terms of subsistence strategies.


1974 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight W. Read

AbstractIt has become increasingly apparent that mathematical models may play a significant role in anthropological methodology. Less apparent is the fact that such models have an important place in formulation of theory as well. At the same time, many errors appear in attempts to use mathematical models. This paper attempts to indicate the nature of such errors and a methodology by which they can be avoided. A case study is presented showing the relationship of mathematical models to anthropological theory.


Author(s):  
H. Wright, Jr.

The problem posed concerns the relative importance of climate, fire, hillslope erosion induced by overgrazing, and nutrient enrichment as recorded in selected lakes in the Northern Range of Yellowstone National Park especially during the last 150 years, when populations of elk are known to have fluctuated greatly, and when slight climatic changes are suggested from other lines of research.


Author(s):  
H. Wright, Jr.

The problem posed concerns the relative importance of climate, fire, hillslope erosion induced by overgrazing, and nutrient enrichment as recorded in selected lakes in the Northern Range of Yellowstone National Park especially during the last 150 years, When populations of elk are known to have fluctuated greatly, and when slight climatic changes are suggested from other lines of research.


1955 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Lane

The most widely-held and well-supported theories of electoral choice today relate such choice to group membership, socializing, so to speak, the vote decision. In this process the personality of the individual voter has tended to be overlooked or its influence minimized. In focussing in this discussion upon the relationship of authoritarianism to electoral choice, therefore, we hope not only to contribute to our knowledge of a particular personality pattern in a political context but also, more generally, to restore the individual, as contrasted to the group, to an important place in a theory of the electoral process.In an electoral situation, as in any other situation, personality factors play a double role: (1) they affect the perceptions of the individual, screening out some stimuli, distorting others, and admitting others intact; and (2) they shape the responses of a person, selecting among the various possible responses those which are most serviceable to basic personality needs. Every personality develops certain attitudes to assist in this process of selecting among the possible responses. For example, interest in the election, sense of duty, sense of political efficacy, or sense of social integration with the community might form the nucleus of the attitudes bearing on the decision whether or not to vote. Identification with a political party, position on current political issues, candidate preference, anticipation of economic or political advantage, prestige considerations, or identification with a partisan social group might affect the vote itself.


Author(s):  
I.H. KUZNIETSOVA ◽  
O.О. DOVZHENKO ◽  
V.V. POHRIBNYI

Formulation of the problem. Reliability of buildings and structures from reinforced concrete largely depends on efficiency of construction solutions of supporting areas and joins of elements of bearing systems. At the same time, an important place is given to the issues of ensuring their bearing capacity. One of the ways to solve this problem is to increase the strength characteristics of concrete, in particular by using basalt fiber. The purpose of the article is to improve the method of calculating the strength of concrete elements under the local compression on a general theoretical basis and to clarify the impact on the strength of determining factors. Conclusion. To calculate the strength of concrete elements under the local compression, the theory of concrete plasticity is promising. The application of the variational method and the principle of virtual velocities is proposed. According to research, the strength of concrete, in addition to the ratio of the area of application of the load and the cross-sectional area, is affected by the ratio of the height of the element to the width of the stamp and both characteristics of concrete strength. The proposed kinematic failure schemes have found experimental confirmation. Analysis of test results of concrete elements and assessment of their strength on the basis of the theory of plasticity allowed making the program of experimental research of fibroconcrete on basalt fibers under local compression.


Author(s):  
Алексей Геннадьевич Голубев

В статье изучаются научные идеи, изложенные доктором юридических наук, профессором В. Е. Эминовым в его научной и учебной литературе, в том числе в работах, написанных им совместно с другими авторами, в период с 2005 по 2008 г. Рассматривается исследование ученым института декриминализации тех или иных деяний, вопросов организации мониторинга применения статей Особенной части УК РФ. Важное место в научной работе В. Е. Эминова в этот период занимает криминологическая классификация и характеристика преступлений, а также создание концепции борьбы с организованной преступностью, что также рассмотрено в данной статье. Таким образом, в изучаемый период в научном творчестве В. Е. Эминова преобладают криминологические исследования, но их цель - способствовать дальнейшей систематизации и гуманизации системы наказаний, а их содержание - изучение и последующее реформирование законодательной основы исполнения наказаний. Исследуя научную работу об указанной выше концепции, автор статьи прослеживает взаимосвязь научных исследований в области криминологии, уголовного и уголовно-исполнительного права. В статье автор не только приводит цитаты из работ исследуемого ученого, но и комментирует их. В процессе комментирования описаний и выводов, сделанных В. Е. Эминовым и его соавторами, описываемые явления и процессы не только поясняются, но и актуализируются, в том числе путем приведения примеров обсуждения проектов реформ правоохранительных органов. Тем самым обращено внимание на необходимость воплощения некоторых высказанных ученым идей. При написании статьи применен преимущественно метод исторического и логического анализа. The article examines the scientific ideas presented by doctor of law, Professor V. E. Eminov in his scientific and educational literature, including works written by him together with other authors, in the period from 2005 to 2008. The study by scientists of the institute of decriminalization of certain acts, the organization of monitoring the application of articles of the Special Part of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is considered. An important place in the scientific work of V. E. Eminov during this period is occupied with criminological classification and characteristics of crimes, as well as the creation of the concept of combating organized crime, which is also discussed in this article. Thus, during the period under study in the scientific work of V. E. Eminov is dominated by criminological studies, but their goal is to promote further systematization and humanization of the punishment system, and their content is the study and subsequent reform of the legislative framework for the execution of punishments. Studying the scientific work on the above concept, the author of the article traces the relationship of scientific research in the field of criminology, criminal and penal law. In the article, the author not only quotes from the works of the researched scientist, but also comments on them. In the process of commenting on the descriptions and conclusions made by V. E. Eminov and his co-authors, the described phenomena and processes are not only explained, but also updated, including by giving examples of discussing projects of reforms of low enforcement agencies. Thus, attention is drawn to the need to implement some of the ideas expressed by the scientist. In the article the method of historical and logical analysis is mainly used.


Author(s):  
Anders Esmark

Technocracy is discussed as a distinct type of regime and form of statecraft. The chapter clears up the considerable confusion surrounding the relationship between technocracy, bureaucracy and democracy, which provides the foundation for the empirical analysis of the anti-bureaucratic and pro-democratic nature of contemporary technocracy. The relationship of technocracy to political ideology is discussed, leading to the suggestion that technocracy consistently pursues a position ‘beyond ideology’ while also remaining fully capable of working in lockstep with socialism, liberalism and anything in between. Finally, the chapter moves from the regime level and provides an overall model of the constitutive and intersecting policy paradigms of the New Technocracy: connective governance, risk management and performance management.


1886 ◽  
Vol 40 (242-245) ◽  
pp. 248-249

The determination of the relations, if any such exist, between volcanic activity and certain astronomical or meteorological phenomena, cannot fail to throw much light upon the vexed question of the solid or liquid condition of the earth’s interior. M. Perrey, as the result of his careful catalogue of earthquake phenomena, believed himself to have proved that these could be shown to have certain maxima and minima, which correspond with positions of the moon in relation to the earth and sun; there are many considerations which point to the conclusion that great and sudden changes in barometric pressure may be followed by outbursts of volcanic violence; and, finally, if the eruptions of volcanoes, as many geologists believe, are due to water percolating from the surface to a heated magma, rainfall must have no inconsiderable influence in determining the periods of their occurrence.


Paleobiology ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
pp. 146-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Oliver

The Mesozoic-Cenozoic coral Order Scleractinia has been suggested to have originated or evolved (1) by direct descent from the Paleozoic Order Rugosa or (2) by the development of a skeleton in members of one of the anemone groups that probably have existed throughout Phanerozoic time. In spite of much work on the subject, advocates of the direct descent hypothesis have failed to find convincing evidence of this relationship. Critical points are:(1) Rugosan septal insertion is serial; Scleractinian insertion is cyclic; no intermediate stages have been demonstrated. Apparent intermediates are Scleractinia having bilateral cyclic insertion or teratological Rugosa.(2) There is convincing evidence that the skeletons of many Rugosa were calcitic and none are known to be or to have been aragonitic. In contrast, the skeletons of all living Scleractinia are aragonitic and there is evidence that fossil Scleractinia were aragonitic also. The mineralogic difference is almost certainly due to intrinsic biologic factors.(3) No early Triassic corals of either group are known. This fact is not compelling (by itself) but is important in connection with points 1 and 2, because, given direct descent, both changes took place during this only stage in the history of the two groups in which there are no known corals.


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