The local information provided by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) makes it an ideal method for the structural investigations of materials lacking extended long-range ordering. This work focuses on investigations of two types of materials possessing very different types of disorder. The first section involves investigations of alkali borate glasses and the application of solid-state NMR techniques to probe short- and medium-range ordering in such glasses. Differences between the various alkali borates over a wide compositional range are probed using one and two-dimensional techniques. The use of double-resonance dipolar recoupling techniques to investigate cesium-boron distances is investigated. The second section probes a series of transition-metal cyanide coordination polymers. The bidentate nature of the cyanide ligand allows for the possibility of forming numerous isomers. Information about the isomer(s) present is gained via the various NMR parameters available, such as the chemical shifts, shift anisotropies and J-couplings. This is then extended to the characterization of paramagnetic transition-metal cyanides, where strong electron-nuclear interactions are shown to significantly increase spin-lattice relaxation rates allowing the acquisition of spectra without the need of typically employed enhancement techniques, yet often yielding spectra of better quality. Variable-temperature experiments allow a measure of the electron-nuclear interaction, which can be related to spatial proximity, and provide “diamagnetic” chemical shifts allowing comparison with other cyanides. J-couplings and chemical shift anisotropies are shown to be applicable in much the same fashion as with diamagnetic systems.

Darbo tikslas: Lietuvių kalba išleistos ezoterinės literatūros apžvalga, išryškinant naudojamos ezoterinės terminologijos netikslumus, atskleidžiant kritišką požiūrį į terminologijos laisvą interpretaciją ir nusakant naudojamos tikslios terminologijos poveikį sėkmingai pastoracijai. Tikslui pasiekti buvo išsikelti tokie uždaviniai: - Apibrėžti religijotyrinius „magijos“, „ezoterikos“ ir „okultizmo“ terminus. - Pristatyti kaip vartojami ezoterikos terminai katalikiškoje pastoracijoje bei paaiškinti daromas klaidas. - Atskleisti terminų apsibrėžimo sau ir pastoracijos subjektui svarbą. - Nurodyti pavojus, kylančius dėl netikslios ezoterikos terminų vartosenos pastoracijoje. - Pateikti patarimus pastoracijos darbuotojams. Uždaviniams įgyvendinti ir tikslui pasiekti naudoti lyginamosios analizės ir sintezės metodai. Darbe apibrėžti „okultizmo“, „ezoterikos“ ir „magijos“ terminai: okultizmas yra sinkretinė XIX a. pr. - XX a. pr. maginės filosofijos kryptis, apjungianti to meto ezoterines praktikas, tokias kaip spiritizmas ir magija; ezoteriką galima apibrėžti kaip religinę filosofinę sistemą, kurios pagrindą sudaro maginiai ar parapsichologiniai ritualai ir metodai, padedantys kontaktuoti su anapusybe. Ezoterikos terminas pakankamai platus, nes savyje talpina visą paranormalybę, pradedant okultizmu ir spiritizmu, ir baigiant ekstrasensorika bei magija. Ezoterikoje ypatingą reikšmę turi iniciacija. Ezoterika tai bendras terminas, naudojamas visai maginei ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The goal of this thesis: in accordance to the review of the esoteric literature in Lithuanian, to highlight the uncertainties of the esoteric terminology, to reveal a critical attitude to the free interpretation of the esoteric terminology and to describe the effects of the precise esoteric terminology to the success of pastoral work. To achieve the goal such tasks were raised: - To define the terms of magic, esoteric and occultism. - To introduce how the esoteric terms are used in the Catholic pastoral work as well as to explain the most common mistakes. - To reveal the importance of the precise terminology for the pastoral subject. - Indicate the risk arising from incorrect usage of esoteric terms in pastoral work. - To provide guidance for pastoral workers. In order to implement tasks and achieve thesis goal were used methods of comparative analysis and synthesis. While working the terms of occultism, esoteric and magic were defined. Occultism is the study of esoteric practices, including (but not limited to) magic and spiritualism; it is the syncretic type of magic philosophy common from the 19th to 20th century. Esotericism can be defined as a religious philosophical system, which is based on magic or parapsychology rituals and methods to come into contact with the Otherworld. The term of esoteric is very wide – a huge range of examples of esoteric movements and philosophies such, as occult, spiritism, extrasensory and magic, etc. are included. Magic can be defined... [to full text]

This project is a translation of Liu Qingbang's novella 'Shénmù' from Chinese into English. It is also accompanied by an analysis of the text and Li Yang's movie 'Blind Shaft', which was based on the novella.

This thesis is a creative work of fiction in the form of one novella and four short stories. The collection is a work of humour and entertainment. “The Coin Collective” delves into the cut-throat world of cosplay, “The Dead of Waynesboro” follows Declan Mortel as her tries to create the ultimate zombie movie in true gothic fashion, “220 Torren Mill Road” is an epistolary horror story about a whack-job mother and her game-addicted son, “Dragon’s Lair Comics & Collectables” is set during a Magic the Gathering tournament and questions ‘what makes a monster?,’ and Chemical Connection explores drug and raver culture through an eclectic variety of characters. I hope the collection will speak to an entire generation of self-described and closet geeks. For those without intimate knowledge of the material, I endeavoured to exhibit, even expose, aspects of specific subcultures, shedding light on the basement dwellers who inhabit them.

The tradition of placing objects and symbols within, under, on, and around buildings for supernatural protection and good luck, as an act of formal or informal consecration, or as an element of other magico-religious or mundane ritual, has been documented throughout the world. This thesis examines the material culture of magic and folk ritual in the eastern United States, focusing on objects deliberately concealed within and around standing structures. While a wide range of objects and symbols are considered, in-depth analysis focuses on three artifact types: witch bottles, concealed footwear, and concealed cats. This thesis examines the European origins of ritual concealments, their transmission to North America, and their continuation into the modern era. It also explores how culturally derived cognitive frameworks, including cosmology, religion, ideology, and worldview, as well as the concepts of family and household, may have influenced or encouraged the use of ritual concealments among certain groups. / Cultural-historical background -- Witch bottles and other bottle charms -- Concealed footwear and associated deposits -- Concealed cats -- Other concealments -- Discussion and conclusions -- Recommendations for practical applications and future research. / Department of Anthropology

According to biblical record, diseases and illness have troubled individuals almost since the beginning of creation (Wilkinson, 1998: 7). To understand and make sense of sickness, mankind turned to religion. In the Old Testament health is seen as a gift of God, but illness is perceived as a punishment for sin (Leon-Dufour, 1962: 543). The preaching of Job argues against this view. The problem of evil still causes difficulties for the Christian today. God permits such challenges and, in responding to them, mankind is spiritually transformed: spiritual growth. God has given mankind a soul, and this soul is not part of an evolutionary process towards perfection: only Christ waslis perfect! However, through the crucifixion, God recognizes our suffering and we can recognize His suffering elsewhere (Fiddes, 1988: 11). The central question of this research is: How may one demonstrate the legitimacy and validity of miraculous healing through the charism of the Holy Spirit within the Catholic tradition? As healing miracles have an important place in Scripture, an examination is needed of the words used to describe miracles, tracing the English translation back to the original Greek or Hebrew words. Miracle stories are also attested to in secular sources such as the Antiquities of the Jews and the Babylonian Talmud. Scripture contains accounts of healing miracles, particularly in relation to the ministry of Jesus whose healing miracles are in accordance with His teaching. Such miracles were not simply stories spread by the disciples; they were signs, evidence of who Jesus is and that He had come in fulfilment of prophecy. These signs contained the quintessence of the Gospel itself, promoting faith, and that faith is a personal response to an act of witness. Healing is not dependent upon sinlessness, but is a gift of God to His creature: it can be mental, spiritual, emotional, involving relationships and the reconciliation of a person with God and his community through the receipt of the sacraments. Scriptural accounts of healing miracles contained a message that the Kingdom of God had arrived. They were a demonstration of God's truth to believers and non-believers alike and they continued to play an important part in the first Christians' experiences and mission. The church's healing ministry has its roots and authority in Scripture and the continuation of that ministry is through the action of the Holy Spirit. Both in the Early Church and the Church of today, restoration to health is implemented through the Mass and in the practice of a ministry that includes physical care through the establishment of hospitals managed by religious orders and latterly, through care homes staffed by lay volunteers. Consideration is given to Pasteur's (1822-1895) research into microorganisms and the consequent shift in focus to the avoidance of infection and to the development of effective cures. Understandably, the medical profession has concerns about the healing ministry: why are some healed and others not and why cannot healings be tested scientifically in the laboratory? In the Roman Catholic Church tradition shrines have always played an important role as places of pilgrimage and healing and, in spite of the existence of medical committees made up of scientists, doctors and priests to test all claims of healing before the Church acknowledges these as genuine, scepticism remains (Theillier, 2000: 3). Historically inseparable, a gap has developed between science and religion; this thesis attempts to demonstrate the reasons for this and to show that, since both are concerned with aspects of human suffering and death, the wall of separation between medicine and religion can be demolished (Larson and Matthews, 1997 (2): 3-6). As well as modern medical, technological advancements, which have provided exciting developments in the treatment of diseases like cancer, universities such as Edinburgh and Lancaster have established programmes that focus on how a person's faith may influence the progress of illness in a beneficial way. By considering the apparently opposing views of Hume and Lewis (1953: 51), questions arise concerning the extent to which the Laws of Nature are indeed fixed and unchanging; and concerning the contention that when God acts He does not suspend the Laws of Nature, but works with and through them. The researcher's views are either partially or fully endorsed by Boswell (1992), Brown (1984) and Wilkinson (1998); however, it is necessary to research the understanding of those whose scientific expertise prevents them from conceiving of the possibility of miraculous healing (Dawkins, 1997; Hume 1980; Williams, 1992; et al). The thesis addresses contemporary issues: the extent of modern research into the healing ministry and the fact that this is not reflected comprehensively in the training programmes of the Catholic Church for those preparing for the priesthood or as monks and nuns (Hocken, 2001: 54); and the current debate on euthanasia, which demonstrates clearly that the Bible continues to influence not only medical ethics but also, our society as it debates and determines its evaluation of human life. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church and Dogma History))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in cooperation with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2007

The local information provided by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) makes it an ideal method for the structural investigations of materials lacking extended long-range ordering. This work focuses on investigations of two types of materials possessing very different types of disorder. The first section involves investigations of alkali borate glasses and the application of solid-state NMR techniques to probe short- and medium-range ordering in such glasses. Differences between the various alkali borates over a wide compositional range are probed using one and two-dimensional techniques. The use of double-resonance dipolar recoupling techniques to investigate cesium-boron distances is investigated. The second section probes a series of transition-metal cyanide coordination polymers. The bidentate nature of the cyanide ligand allows for the possibility of forming numerous isomers. Information about the isomer(s) present is gained via the various NMR parameters available, such as the chemical shifts, shift anisotropies and J-couplings. This is then extended to the characterization of paramagnetic transition-metal cyanides, where strong electron-nuclear interactions are shown to significantly increase spin-lattice relaxation rates allowing the acquisition of spectra without the need of typically employed enhancement techniques, yet often yielding spectra of better quality. Variable-temperature experiments allow a measure of the electron-nuclear interaction, which can be related to spatial proximity, and provide “diamagnetic” chemical shifts allowing comparison with other cyanides. J-couplings and chemical shift anisotropies are shown to be applicable in much the same fashion as with diamagnetic systems.

Let G be a directed graph with a total labeling. The additive arc-weight of an arc xy is the sum of the label on xy and the label on y. The additive directed vertex-weight of a vertex x is the sum of the label on x and the labels on all arcs with head at x. The graph is additive arc magic if all additive arc-weights are equal, and is additive directed vertex magic if all vertex-weights are equal. We provide a complete characterization of all graphs which permit an additive arc magic labeling. A complete characterization of all regular graphs which may be oriented to permit an additive directed vertex magic labeling is provided. The definition of the subtractive arc-weight of an arc xy is proposed, and a correspondence between graceful labelings and subtractive arc magic labelings is shown.

This investigation aims to ascertain whether or not the Israelites believed in the supernatural beneficent power of the dead. First, a lexicon of selected mortuary practices and beliefs is outlined. In the Israelite context, those rites most likely to reflect this belief are necromancy and those which fall within the purview of the ancestor cult intended to express veneration or worship of the ancestors (ch. 1). Secondly, an evaluation of the relevant texts from Syria-Palestine of the third to first millennia B.C.E. demonstrates that a longstanding West Semitic or Canaanite origin for Israel's belief in the supernatural beneficent power of the dead cannot be established on the basis of these data (chs. 2 and 3). Thirdly, an examination of the Hebrew Bible demonstrates that while a concern to care for or commemorate the dead might be inferred, neither an ancestor cult nor ancestor veneration or worship in particular can be established on the basis of the available literary (or material) evidence. Moreover, while necromancy is occasionally attested, the relevant passages which polemicize against Israel's embrace of this practice originate either in the last days of the Judahite monarchy or, more likely, during the exile itself. The historical reality which gave rise to this polemical tradition was the threat which Mesopotamian religion and magic beginning with the Neo-Assyrian period posed to later (dtr?) Yahwism (ch. 4). Comparative ethnographic data suggests that the longstanding absence of the belief in the beneficent dead in Israel and Syria-Palestine might be partially explained as a reaction to the pervasive fear of the dead. Nevertheless, once this belief was embraced by late Israelite society, owing to contemporary developments in politics (Mesopotamian hegemony), economics (depletion of resources), and religion (popularity of divination), necromancy, not ancestor veneration or worship, presented itself as the preferred ritual expression of this belief (conclusion).

Video games are a part of modern culture. As video game spaces begin to enter a new generation’s spatial lexicon, it is important for architects, curators of spatial design, to understand this new medium of space. This thesis aims to introduce two concepts specific to video game design, the magic circle and flow, to architects as a means of understanding the design of video game spaces. First coined by the Dutch historian Johann Huizinga in Homo Ludens, and later adapted by video game designers Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman, the magic circle refers to the boundary created by the rules of a game that separate reality from the fantasy of the game. Within the magic circle, the rules of play can transform and give new meaning to spatial organizations that could be considered problematic in real world architectural design. Flow is a psychological concept introduced by Hungarian psychology professor Mihály Csíkszentmihályi. When completing a task, flow occurs when both the skill level of the participant and the challenge level of the task are equally high. When a state of flow is achieved, the task becomes enjoyable and can be carried out indefinitely until the balance is broken. Effective video games spaces are specifically designed to contribute to flow experiences, while ineffective spaces can make a game too easy or too hard, creating a boredom or anxiety for the player. Through a series of explorations and video game case studies, specifically in the first-person and third person shooter genre, this thesis first observes the transformation of implied spatial meanings in the magic circle. It then introduces the unique spatial languages used to generate spaces that support the creation of flow alongside the gameplay and narrative of a video game. This thesis culminates with the design and execution of an original capture the flag map created with the Unreal Engine that tests the concepts of the magic circle and flow in video game spaces. As video games become increasingly ubiquitous, this thesis acts as means of entry for architects to understand the unique properties of an emerging form of spatial design.