Two chapters in this thesis try to explain whether insectivorous birds can smell volatile compounds released by plants attacked by herbivorous insect, and use them as a cue to locate prey rich plants. First chapter describes field experiments with chemical induction of volatile compounds similar to those released during real herbivory. Second chapter depicts foraging behaviour of birds towards trees with "true" herbivory caused by live caterpillars in a cage experiment.

This essay analyses Thomas Pynchon’s novel The Crying of Lot 49 (1966) in relation to postmodern literary theory, specifically the concepts of hyperreality and imaginary stations. In Simulacra and Simulation (1981), Jean Baudrillard proposes that the Disneyland theme park in California is an imaginary station that conceals the fact that it is the world outside of Disneyland that is hyperreal. These ideas were developed further in relation to California by Umberto Eco in Travels from Hyperreality (1986). Baudrillard’s model is applied in this essay to the housing development of Fangoso Lagoons in The Crying of Lot 49. By analysing the mediums through which it is portrayed, how it is described and the events that occur there, Fangoso Lagoons is found to be similar to Baudrillard’s example of Disneyland because it is presented as an amazing, fantastic and bizarre spectacle. However, the true hyperreality lies outside of the development, in the novel’s semi-fictional California. This essay argues that Fangoso Lagoons is presented as hyperreal, similar to Baudrillard’s example of Disneyland or Umberto Eco’s example of Hearst Castle, but that it is in fact an imaginary station. As Baudrillard and Eco propose, the purpose of the imaginary station is to make the world outside appear as real through contrast. The imaginary station achieves this by feeding reality energy to its hyperreal surroundings.

Magister Artium - MA / The focus on space and spatiality is relatively new in literary studies and also not unproblematic. Problems arise from the way in which these concepts are constructed, described, defined and interpret~. It is possible to derive numerous kinds of space, such as historical space, physical space, metaphysical space and religious space, to name a few, from the structure or thematics of a novel. This in itself presents a problem, since the literary scholar must differentiate between these spaces in order to determine which will be most useful for study of a particular aspect. There does not seem to be a coherent theoretical position in literary scholar regarding space, and thus various views of theorists will be considered. Gullon (1975:21), in a seminal article on space entitled On Space in the Novel provides a possible definition of space, with reference to another seminal article, this time by Joseph Frank when he states that "Frank calls 'spatial' the form of those works that at a given instant in time concentrate actions that can be perceived, but not related, simultaneously". This definition denotes a further complication engendered by space, namely the notion that different spaces intersect and interrelate with each other, and consequently that it is very difficult - if not impossible - to separate the various kinds of literary spaces in order to analyse the occurrence of a single space in a text. It also seems bound to time, but in a sense bridges the temporal gaps in a novel since it brings together parts that are not necessarily adjacent to each other temporally. Time becomes spatialized by treating events in the novel as separate chunks which can be rearranged and linked to each other. 1bis creates a more coherent and comprehensive picture of events in a text. namely the notion that different spaces intersect and interrelate with each other, and consequently that it is very difficult - if not impossible - to separate the various kinds of literary spaces in order to analyse the occurrence of a single space in a text. The main point in this regard seems to be creating patterns. This brings together more elements for the reader to be viewed at once, allowing him or her to attain a broader perspective on the text.

This thesis examines the representation of weeping rulers in early medieval sources, focusing on the Carolingian empire between 790 and 888. The meanings applied to tears are culturally specific: thus, exploring how, why, when and where rulers cried can illuminate the dynamics of power and ideals of kingship in this period. This thesis provides a survey of a poorly understood phenomenon. It also challenges several assumptions about the nature of early medieval power. Rulers wept not only over their own sins (a well-recognised phenomenon), but also over the sins of others and out of a desire for heavenly glory. Thus, they wept in a ‘monastic' or ‘priestly' way. This was something associated more with certain rulers than others. As such, tears can be used as a lens through which developments in ideas about the relationship between secular rulers and the ecclesiastical hierarchy can be traced. The thesis is divided into six sections. The historiographical importance of this topic is discussed in the introduction. Chapter one assesses the understanding of tears in biblical, Roman and Merovingian sources. Chapter two focuses on the representation of tears in texts associated with the court of Charlemagne (d. 814). Chapter three explores how authors loyal to Louis the Pious (d. 840) used tears to respond to criticisms of him and his wife, the Empress Judith (d. 843). Chapter four turns to exegetical material written between 820 and 860 and examines how biblical rulers were represented weeping. In particular, the reception of these previously unrecognised images in royal courts and their influence on narrative sources will be considered. Chapter five explores sources from the later ninth century, focusing particularly on the writings of Hincmar of Reims (d. 882) and Notker of St Gall (d. 912). Chapter six considers tears in three case studies drawn from post=Carolingian sources. Finally the concluding section outlines the significance of this thesis for our understanding of Carolingian and post Carolingian political culture and the history of weeping in the middle ages.

<p>Abstrakt</p><p>Gråt är vanlig bland patienter och närstående men sällan studerat i palliativ vård. Gråten kan vara ett sätt för patienter och deras närstående att uttrycka sorg och hantera en situation fylld av stress som är orsakad av förluster, många allvarliga symtom och en nära förestående död.</p><p>Studiernas övergripande syfte var att bidra till en djupare förståelse för vilken betydelse gråten har för patienter och deras närstående i palliativ hemsjukvård: Vad innebär gråten och hur påverkar den de berörda? Bandinspelade intervjuer gjordes med 14 patienter med cancersjukdom och 14 närstående i palliativ hemsjukvård. För att få en djupare förståelse genomfördes arbetet med ett hermeneutiskt metodologiskt angreppssätt enligt Gadamer.</p><p>Resultatet visade att patienterna (studie I) beskrev olika dimensioner och funktioner av gråt; Intensiv och förtvivlad gråt för att ge uttryck för akuta behov: Stilla och sorgsen gråt som medvetet förlöste känslor; Tyst och tårlös gråt som en skyddande strategi. Som en tolkning av helheten sågs patienternas gråt (studie I) som ett sätt att uttrycka en inre känslomässig kraft, framkallad av olika faktorer, som orsakade förändringar i den nuvarande inre balansen. Genom att gråta öppet men också inombords skapades eller upprätthölls balansen. Studie (II) visade att de närstående upplevde att gråten var beroende av olika förutsättningar som attityder och mod, tid, trygghet, ärliga och tillitsfulla relationer. Omskakande och oroande händelser, utmattning i brist på egen tid och sympati från andra var omständigheter som utlöste gråten. De närstående försökte göra det bästa möjliga för patienten genom att anpassa eller dölja gråten, allt för att underlätta bördan och skapa en positiv motvikt till lidande och sorg. Tolkningen av helheten (studie II); närståendes gråt kunde vara ett uttryck för att dela något tillsammans för gemenskap, tröst och stöd eller att söka sig till ensamhet för enskildhet och återhämtning.</p><p>Sammanfattningsvis kan gråten ses som en copingstrategi eftersom den reducerar spänningar och skapar befrielse, upprätthåller balans, ger tröst, ny energi och tillfällen för enskildhet. Det är ett sätt att uttrycka lidande men på samma gång kräver gråten energi och ger känslor av skam.</p><p>En viktig del i professionens arbete bör därför vara att tillåta gråten, lyssna, vara närvarande, uppmuntra uttryck av känslor men också ge utrymme för enskildhet. Läkaren, sjuksköterskan och andra i teamet kan lindra patientens och närståendes känslor av skam och sårbarhet genom att bekräfta, legitimera olika uttryck för gråt och därmed skapa en tolerant, säker och trygg omgivning.</p> / <p>Abstract</p><p>Crying among patients and family members is common but seldom studied in palliative care. It could be one way of expressing grief and of coping with a stressful situation caused by loss, severe symptoms and the impending death.</p><p>The overall aim of the studies was to contribute to a deeper understanding about the significance of crying for patients and family members in a palliative care setting: What is the significance of crying and how does it influence those involved? Tape-recorded interviews with 14 patients with cancer disease and 14 family members in palliative home care were carried out. In order to gain a deeper understanding a hermeneutic methodological approach according to Gadamer was used.</p><p>The results (Study I) show that patients describe crying in different dimensions and functions; Intense and despondent crying as a way of ventilating urgent needs; Gentle, sorrowful crying as a conscious release of emotions; Quiet, tearless crying as a protection strategy. As an interpretation of the whole (Study I): for the patients, crying seems to be an expression for an inner emotional force, provoked by different factors, which cause changes in the present balance. To cry openly but also to cry on the inside meant being able to achieve or maintain balance. The family members (Study II) perceived that crying was dependent on different prerequisites for crying such as attitude and courage, time, feeling secure, honest and trusting relationships. Uncertainty and turbulence situations, exhaustion due to lack of their own time and sympathy from others were circumstances that triggered crying. Family members tried to do the best possible for the patients by adapting or hiding their crying, in order to ease the burden and to create a positive counterbalance to suffering and grief. Interpretation of the whole (Study II): for the family members crying could be expressed as something to share with someone for support and consolation or an escape to solitude for integrity and respite.</p><p>In conclusions crying can be seen as a way of coping, as in many cases it reduces tension and creates release, maintains balance, brings comfort, new energy and opportunities for privacy. It is a way of expressing suffering, but at the same time it consumes energy and creates feelings of shame.</p><p>As suitable interventions, professionals should therefore legitimise crying, listen, be present, encourage the expression of feelings but also provide time and space for privacy. Staff may ease the patient’s and family member’s feelings of embarrassment and vulnerability by confirming and legitimating crying expressions by creating a tolerant, secure and safe environment.</p>

Abstrakt Gråt är vanlig bland patienter och närstående men sällan studerat i palliativ vård. Gråten kan vara ett sätt för patienter och deras närstående att uttrycka sorg och hantera en situation fylld av stress som är orsakad av förluster, många allvarliga symtom och en nära förestående död. Studiernas övergripande syfte var att bidra till en djupare förståelse för vilken betydelse gråten har för patienter och deras närstående i palliativ hemsjukvård: Vad innebär gråten och hur påverkar den de berörda? Bandinspelade intervjuer gjordes med 14 patienter med cancersjukdom och 14 närstående i palliativ hemsjukvård. För att få en djupare förståelse genomfördes arbetet med ett hermeneutiskt metodologiskt angreppssätt enligt Gadamer. Resultatet visade att patienterna (studie I) beskrev olika dimensioner och funktioner av gråt; Intensiv och förtvivlad gråt för att ge uttryck för akuta behov: Stilla och sorgsen gråt som medvetet förlöste känslor; Tyst och tårlös gråt som en skyddande strategi. Som en tolkning av helheten sågs patienternas gråt (studie I) som ett sätt att uttrycka en inre känslomässig kraft, framkallad av olika faktorer, som orsakade förändringar i den nuvarande inre balansen. Genom att gråta öppet men också inombords skapades eller upprätthölls balansen. Studie (II) visade att de närstående upplevde att gråten var beroende av olika förutsättningar som attityder och mod, tid, trygghet, ärliga och tillitsfulla relationer. Omskakande och oroande händelser, utmattning i brist på egen tid och sympati från andra var omständigheter som utlöste gråten. De närstående försökte göra det bästa möjliga för patienten genom att anpassa eller dölja gråten, allt för att underlätta bördan och skapa en positiv motvikt till lidande och sorg. Tolkningen av helheten (studie II); närståendes gråt kunde vara ett uttryck för att dela något tillsammans för gemenskap, tröst och stöd eller att söka sig till ensamhet för enskildhet och återhämtning. Sammanfattningsvis kan gråten ses som en copingstrategi eftersom den reducerar spänningar och skapar befrielse, upprätthåller balans, ger tröst, ny energi och tillfällen för enskildhet. Det är ett sätt att uttrycka lidande men på samma gång kräver gråten energi och ger känslor av skam. En viktig del i professionens arbete bör därför vara att tillåta gråten, lyssna, vara närvarande, uppmuntra uttryck av känslor men också ge utrymme för enskildhet. Läkaren, sjuksköterskan och andra i teamet kan lindra patientens och närståendes känslor av skam och sårbarhet genom att bekräfta, legitimera olika uttryck för gråt och därmed skapa en tolerant, säker och trygg omgivning. / Abstract Crying among patients and family members is common but seldom studied in palliative care. It could be one way of expressing grief and of coping with a stressful situation caused by loss, severe symptoms and the impending death. The overall aim of the studies was to contribute to a deeper understanding about the significance of crying for patients and family members in a palliative care setting: What is the significance of crying and how does it influence those involved? Tape-recorded interviews with 14 patients with cancer disease and 14 family members in palliative home care were carried out. In order to gain a deeper understanding a hermeneutic methodological approach according to Gadamer was used. The results (Study I) show that patients describe crying in different dimensions and functions; Intense and despondent crying as a way of ventilating urgent needs; Gentle, sorrowful crying as a conscious release of emotions; Quiet, tearless crying as a protection strategy. As an interpretation of the whole (Study I): for the patients, crying seems to be an expression for an inner emotional force, provoked by different factors, which cause changes in the present balance. To cry openly but also to cry on the inside meant being able to achieve or maintain balance. The family members (Study II) perceived that crying was dependent on different prerequisites for crying such as attitude and courage, time, feeling secure, honest and trusting relationships. Uncertainty and turbulence situations, exhaustion due to lack of their own time and sympathy from others were circumstances that triggered crying. Family members tried to do the best possible for the patients by adapting or hiding their crying, in order to ease the burden and to create a positive counterbalance to suffering and grief. Interpretation of the whole (Study II): for the family members crying could be expressed as something to share with someone for support and consolation or an escape to solitude for integrity and respite. In conclusions crying can be seen as a way of coping, as in many cases it reduces tension and creates release, maintains balance, brings comfort, new energy and opportunities for privacy. It is a way of expressing suffering, but at the same time it consumes energy and creates feelings of shame. As suitable interventions, professionals should therefore legitimise crying, listen, be present, encourage the expression of feelings but also provide time and space for privacy. Staff may ease the patient’s and family member’s feelings of embarrassment and vulnerability by confirming and legitimating crying expressions by creating a tolerant, secure and safe environment.

Not available / text

The injuries happening to children in the household or during leisure time activities constitute the most frequent injury types. The injuries caused by shaking constitute a specific group. The information of lay public in the Czech Republic with regard of the Shaken Baby Syndrome is almost at zero level. The basic precondition to reduce the injury rate consists in identification of risk factors causing the origination of the injury or making the individual vulnerable. The factors include environment, health, behaviour, socio-demographic and social factors. The goal of the thesis consists in mapping children injuries in the household and during leisure time activities. A partial goal consists in mapping the use of protective devices for injury prevention. Another goal of the thesis consists in mapping the information of the parents on the Shaken Baby Syndrome, as well as in mapping the techniques of comforting crying babies and the related parents' feelings. The research method consists in quantitative prospective research; two structured questionnaires are used for data collection. The data collection took place in 2009-14. The first questionnaire is focused on acquisition of information on child injuries in the household and during leisure time activities. The goal of the study consists in analyzing children's injuries in ages from 0 to 18 years. The second questionnaire is focused on the Shaken Baby Syndrome and consists of several partial areas: child crying, techniques of managing and comforting child crying, parents' feelings and level of information on Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Based on the research results, the approach to primary prevention of children's injuries can be improved by increased observation of the child, by increased efficiency of preventive procedures, by increased dispensarization, control or increased efficiency of implemented primary injury prevention.

The thesis discusses the baby cry. Processing of literary research in dealing with children crying and processing of audio signals. Based on information gathered propose an algorithm for detecting child's cry, which was verified using Matlab programming environment. Based on the identified parameters of the input signals and the proposed algorithms was selected appropriate digital signal processor. The hardware device was realized to detect and initialize the child crying, and its functionality has been verified in the recorded sound recordings child crying.

No description available.