This work is concentrated on the understanding of the mythical dimension of Gabriel Garcia Marquez works. This dimension is conditioned by authors eagerness to base his writings on folklore consciousness and folklore mythology, namely on a myth, which is created and lives in oral tradition and family beliefs. Marquez looks at myth through carnival culture, which by itself is passing link between primitive mythology and fiction (75, 60). To his novel “One Hundred Years of Loneliness” he adjusted the primitive mythology, he knew from his childhood: folklore, people beliefs, superstitions, witchcraft – all this set, which was still alive in Caribbean coast peoples’ consciousness. The “magical realism” literature was based on that. In this work the attention is directed to Creole, Indian, Afro-American mythology, which is reflected in Garcia Marquez writings. Reflections of Afro-Catholic religions (voodoo, Santeria) are also reflected (especially in his book “About Love and Other Demons”). The motives of time (dominating illud tempus) and pre-Christian space is also important. The world is only being created. So it is tried to look for the repeating of eschatological and cosmological myths. The repeating of birth myth in Garcia Marquez works is mostly expressed through specific relationship with death. It is specific feature in his works, determined by Latin America traditions and individual relation with surrounding world. Important role in Garcia Marquez writings plays such... [to full text]

This work is concentrated on the understanding of the mythical dimension of Gabriel Garcia Marquez works. This dimension is conditioned by authors eagerness to base his writings on folklore consciousness and folklore mythology, namely on a myth, which is created and lives in oral tradition and family beliefs. Marquez looks at myth through carnival culture, which by itself is passing link between primitive mythology and fiction (75, 60). To his novel “One Hundred Years of Loneliness” he adjusted the primitive mythology, he knew from his childhood: folklore, people beliefs, superstitions, witchcraft – all this set, which was still alive in Caribbean coast peoples’ consciousness. The “magical realism” literature was based on that. In this work the attention is directed to Creole, Indian, Afro-American mythology, which is reflected in Garcia Marquez writings. Reflections of Afro-Catholic religions (voodoo, Santeria) are also reflected (especially in his book “About Love and Other Demons”). The motives of time (dominating illud tempus) and pre-Christian space is also important. The world is only being created. So it is tried to look for the repeating of eschatological and cosmological myths. The repeating of birth myth in Garcia Marquez works is mostly expressed through specific relationship with death. It is specific feature in his works, determined by Latin America traditions and individual relation with surrounding world. Important role in Garcia Marquez writings plays such... [to full text]

Jurgis Kunčinas (1947—2003) romane „Tūla“ pateikia dviejų bohemos atstovų meilės istoriją, kurioje literatūros tyrinėtoja Elena Nijolė Bukelienė įžvelgia postmodernizmo bruožų. Vokietijoje susiformavęs postmodernizmas pasižymi veikėjų apatija supančiam pasauliui, aplinkiniams, ironija. Ji tampa gynybine priemone veikėjui, kurio netenkina esamas gyvenimas ir jis žino, kad nieko negali pakeisti. Abejojama Dievu, amžinybe, veikėjų pasaulis susiskaidęs, gyvenimas priimamas kaip žaidimas. J. Kunčino romane elgiamasi priešingai – pagrindinis veikėjas myli Tūlą ir po mirties, mėgaujasi bohema. Ji, ironija, šikšnosparnio motyvas pagrindiniam „Tūlos“ veikėjui padeda pabėgti nuo jo netenkinančios tikrovės. Ironija kyla daugiau iš linksmo gyvenimo būdo, dirbtinio atsipalaidavimo, nei iš intelektualių paskatų. „Tūla“ nėra ir grynai magiškojo realizmo kūrinys, nes veikėjas nepriima tikrovės, bet nuo jos bėga vartodamas alkoholį, įsivaizduodamas esąs šikšnosparnis. Tai, kad įvedamas šikšnosparnio motyvas, gali priminti fantazijos ir tikrovės maišymą, kuriuo paremtas magiškasis realizmas. Tik „Tūloje“ šikšnosparnis neatlieka žaidybinės funkcijos, kaip, pavyzdžiui, sapnas David’o Madsen’o romane „Sapnų dėžutė“, šikšnosparnis yra veikėjui reikalinga, svarbi detalė. J. Kunčino romaną „Tūla“ galima įvardinti kaip lietuvių tautos sąmonės kūrinį. Jame iš pirmo žvilgsnio galima rasti magiškojo realizmo ir postmodernizmo bruožų, bet tai būtų tik paviršutinis pastebėjimas. „Tūloje“... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The novel “Tūla” by Jurgis Kunčinas (1947 – 2003) presents the love story of two bohemia representatives in which Elena Nijolė Bukelienė, the literature researcher, notices the features of postmodernism. Postmodernism originated in Germany is distinguished by the characters‘ apathy for the world surrounding them, people round about, irony. It becomes the defensive means for the character who is dissatisfied with the present life and he knows that he can not change anything. The characters doubt the God, eternity, their world is decomposed, the life is understood as a game. The behaviour in Jurgis Kunčinas‘ novel is contrary – the main character loves Tūla even after his death, enjoys bohemia. She, irony, the motive of the bat help the main character of “Tūla” to escape the unsatisfying reality. Irony rises from the cheerful lifestyle, artificial relaxation but not from intellectual inducements. “Tūla” is not a work of pure magic realism since the character does not accept the reality but he escapes it drinking alcohol, seeing himself as a bat. The fact that the motive of the bat is introduced can remind of the confusion of fantasy and reality on which magic realism is based. However, the bat does not perform the function of games in “Tūla” as, for example, the dream in David Madsen’s novel “The Box of Dreams” („Sapnų dėžutė”), the bat is a necessary, important detail for the character. J. Kunčinas’ novel “Tūla” can be called the work of Lithuanian consciousness. At first... [to full text]

This study investigated the critical behaviour of ternary mixtures of DOPC and DPPC, with cholesterol. The properties of model membranes such as these are studied in order to provide insight into aspects of complex biological systems. Experiments were performed using the Jeener echo, a static solid-state NMR technique, however no information about the critical phenomena was obtained. Conversely, the sideband linewidths measured from 2H MAS NMR are sensitive to temperature and dependent upon the phase behaviour. By fitting the linewidth data to an equation from Suwelack et al. (J. Chem. Phys., 1980; 73(6):2559-2569), the critical temperature and the critical exponent for the correlation length of the system were calculated. The critical exponent values obtained from these samples ranged between νc = 0.65 and νc = 1.2, which encompasses the critical exponents for both the 2D and 3D Ising models within error. The universality class for these model membranes cannot be unambiguously assigned yet.

Magijos samprata moksliniame diskurse neišvengiamai atskleidžia ne tik mokslininko ar tiriamos visuomenės sampratas, bet ir išryškina perskyras. Taip atsiranda poreikis plėsti sampratos ribas, telkiantis ne tik į praktinę magijos pusę, bet ir į bendrus maginės pasaulėžiūros aspektus. Šiuo tyrimu, remiantis Lietuvos studentų magijos ir religijos sampratomis, maginėmis-religinėmis praktikomis, antgamtinio pasaulio suvokiniais, patirtimis, siekiama atskleisti magijos supratimo įvairovę. Išanalizavus studentų magijos ir religijos sampratas, studentams būdingas magines-religines praktikas, atskleidžiamos studentams būdingiausios magijos ir religijos sampratos, maginių-religinių praktikų ypatumai. Disertacijoje tiriamos ne tik studentų magijos ir religijos sampratos, maginės-religinės praktikos, bet ir antgamtinio pasaulio patirtys ir suvokiniai, kuriuose magija atsiskleidžia kaip bendražmogiškos pasaulėžiūros dalis. Tokiame kontekste išryškėja magijos suvokimo dualizmas – atsispindi du skirtingi jos matymo būdai. Viena vertus, magija atsiskleidžia kaip į tikslą orientuotų praktikų, veiksmų visuma. Kita vertus, studentų maginėse-religinėse praktikose atsispindintys antgamtinio pasaulio suvokiniai, antgamtinio pasaulio patirtys atskleidžia magiją kaip prisidedančią prie žmogaus pasaulėžiūros formavimosi. / The concept of magic in a scientific discourse inevitably reveals not only the concepts of a scientist or a society that is being researched but also highlights disjunctions between them. This causes a need to widen the boundaries of the concept focusing both on the practical side of magic and the common aspects of a magic worldview. The object of the research is to reveal a variety of understanding magic based on concepts of magic and religion, magico-religious practices, and Otherworld experiences and conceptions of Lithuanian students. The analysis of students‘ concepts of magic and religion and magico-religious practices revealed the most common concepts and features of magico-religious practices in the group researched. The dissertation explores not only students‘ concepts of magic and religion and magico-religious practices but also Otherworld experiences and conceptions, which reflect magic as a part of the common human worldview. In such context dualism in perception of magic comes to light; two different ways of perceiving magic are reflected. On the one hand magic reveals itself as the whole of actions oriented towards an aim. On the other hand students‘ Otherworld experiences and conceptions that reflect themselves in student’s magico-religious practices reveal magic as a contributory element in a person’s worldview formation.

The concept of magic in a scientific discourse inevitably reveals not only the concepts of a scientist or a society that is being researched but also highlights disjunctions between them. This causes a need to widen the boundaries of the concept focusing both on the practical side of magic and the common aspects of a magic worldview. The object of the research is to reveal a variety of understanding magic based on concepts of magic and religion, magico-religious practices, and Otherworld experiences and conceptions of Lithuanian students. The analysis of students‘ concepts of magic and religion and magico-religious practices revealed the most common concepts and features of magico-religious practices in the group researched. The dissertation explores not only students‘ concepts of magic and religion and magico-religious practices but also Otherworld experiences and conceptions, which reflect magic as a part of the common human worldview. In such context dualism in perception of magic comes to light; two different ways of perceiving magic are reflected. On the one hand magic reveals itself as the whole of actions oriented towards an aim. On the other hand students‘ Otherworld experiences and conceptions that reflect themselves in student’s magico-religious practices reveal magic as a contributory element in a person’s worldview formation. / Magijos samprata moksliniame diskurse neišvengiamai atskleidžia ne tik mokslininko ar tiriamos visuomenės sampratas, bet ir išryškina perskyras. Taip atsiranda poreikis plėsti sampratos ribas, telkiantis ne tik į praktinę magijos pusę, bet ir į bendrus maginės pasaulėžiūros aspektus. Šiuo tyrimu, remiantis Lietuvos studentų magijos ir religijos sampratomis, maginėmis-religinėmis praktikomis, antgamtinio pasaulio suvokiniais, patirtimis, siekiama atskleisti magijos supratimo įvairovę. Išanalizavus studentų magijos ir religijos sampratas, studentams būdingas magines-religines praktikas, atskleidžiamos studentams būdingiausios magijos ir religijos sampratos, maginių-religinių praktikų ypatumai. Disertacijoje tiriamos ne tik studentų magijos ir religijos sampratos, maginės-religinės praktikos, bet ir antgamtinio pasaulio patirtys ir suvokiniai, kuriuose magija atsiskleidžia kaip bendražmogiškos pasaulėžiūros dalis. Tokiame kontekste išryškėja magijos suvokimo dualizmas – atsispindi du skirtingi jos matymo būdai. Viena vertus, magija atsiskleidžia kaip į tikslą orientuotų praktikų, veiksmų visuma. Kita vertus, studentų maginėse-religinėse praktikose atsispindintys antgamtinio pasaulio suvokiniai, antgamtinio pasaulio patirtys atskleidžia magiją kaip prisidedančią prie žmogaus pasaulėžiūros formavimosi.

A theoretical model describing the motion of a small, fast rare gas atom as it passes over a liquid surface is developed and discussed in detail. A key feature of the model is its reliance on coarse-grained capillary wave and local mode descriptions of the liquid surface. Mathematically, the model is constructed with several concepts from probability and stochastic analysis. The model makes predictions that are quantitative agreement with neon-liquid surface scattering data collected by other research groups. These predictions include the dominance of single, rather than multiple, neon-liquid surface collision dynamics, an average of 60 % energy transfer from a neon atom upon colliding with a non-metallic surface, and an average of 25 % energy transfer upon colliding with a metallic surface. In addition to this work, two other investigations into the gas-liquid interface are discussed. The results of an experimental investigation into the thermodynamics of a gas flux through an aqueous surface are presented, and it is shown that a nitrous oxide flux is mostly due to the presence of a temperature gradient in the gas-liquid interface. Evidence for a reaction between a carbon dioxide flux and an ammonia monolayer on an aqueous surface to produce ammonium carbamate is also found. The second of these is an investigation into the mechanism of bromine production from deliquesced sodium bromide aerosol in the presence of ozone, and involves a sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of the computer aerosol kinetics model MAGIC. It is shown that under dark, non-photolytic conditions, bromine production can be accounted for almost exclusively by a reaction between gas-phase ozone and surface-bound bromide ions. Under photolytic conditions, bromine production instead involves a complicated interplay between various gas-phase and aqueous-phase reactions.

This collection of short stories studies the elements of genre fiction and applies them to literary fiction. Science fiction, fantasy, and horror have specific manners in which they speak to an audience. By using these elements, for example the desensitization of the current generation of readers to most horrors, an author can demonstrate the core of the human relationship to pain, faith, or hope. Though some genre fiction seems to fit certain formulas, there are also horror or science fiction stories which do not fit a conventional mold. This collection sets forth to break away from genre fiction conventions. Also, this project utilizes the genre of magical realism, which is the medium between genre fiction and literary fiction, by using fantastic events within a mundane setting to emphasize the author's ideas. By bridging the gap between genres, magical realism reveals how interrelated the elements of all genres are. In this study stories use magical and horrifying events while maintaining an intention beyond the formulaic thrill. Therefore, genre fiction can have a place amongst literature. / Department of English

Cette thèse examine d’abord les personnages merveilleux dans cinq lais de Marie de France, et reconnaît trois types de merveilleux : féerique, amoureux et lycanthropique. Sans motivation ni explicitation – donc par moyen d’un silence narratif – on reconnaît le personnage merveilleux « type ». Une analyse narratologique montre qu’un personnage peut être merveilleux sans être « type » et qu les cinq lais étudiés sont construits selon une focalisation sur le personnage humain. Examinant les actes magiques, cette thèse conclut que la magie des merveilleux « types » ne diffère d’un acte de celle des personnages non « types » que par la motivation psychologique. M’appuyant sur les lois universelles de la magie décrites par Hubert et Mauss, je conclus que Chievrefueil décrit en fait la construction d’une baguette magique. Dernièrement, l’altérité du personnage humain crée la possibilité d’une rencontre – d’habitude érotisée – entre le monde humain et le monde merveilleux et lance le récit.

Dosimetry is a vital component of treatment planning in radiation therapy. Methods of radiation dosimetry currently include the use of: ionization chambers, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), solid-state detectors and radiographic film. However, these methods are inherently either 1D or 2D and their use involves the perturbation of the radiation beam. Although the dose distribution within tissues following radiation therapy treatments can be modeled using computerized treatment planning systems, a need exists for a dosimeter that can accurately measure dose distributions directly and produce 3D dose maps. Some radiation therapy and brachytherapy treatments require mapping the dose distributions in high-resolution (typically < 1 mm). A dosimetry technique that is capable of producing high resolution 3D dose maps of the absorbed dose distribution within tissues is required. Gel dosimetry is inherently a 3D integrating dosimeter that offers high spatial resolution, precision and accuracy. Polymer gel dosimetry is founded on the basis that monomers dissolved in the gel matrix polymerize due to the presence of free radicals produced by the radiolysis of water molecules. The amount of polymerization that occurs within a polymer gel dosimeter can be correlated to the absorbed dose. The gel matrix maintains the spatial integrity of the polymers and hence a dose distribution can be determined by imaging the irradiated polymer gel dosimeter using an imaging modality such as MRI, x-ray computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, optical CT or vibrational spectroscopy. Polymer gel dosimeters, however, suffer from oxygen contamination. Oxygen inhibits the polymerization reaction and hence polymer gel dosimeters must be manufactured, irradiated and scanned in hypoxic environments. Normoxic polymer gel dosimeters incorporate an anti-oxidant into the formulation that binds the oxygen present in the gel and allows the dosimeter to be made under normal atmospheric conditions. The first part of this study was to provide a comprehensive investigation into various formulations of polymer and normoxic polymer gel dosimeters. Several parameters were used to characterize and assess the performance of each formulation of polymer gel dosimeter including: spatial resolution and stability, temporal stability of the R2-dose response, optimal R2-dose response for changes in concentration of constituents and the effects of oxygen infiltration. This work enabled optimal formulations to be determined that would provide greater dose sensitivity. Further work was done to investigate the chemical kinetics that take place within normoxic polymer gel dosimeters from manufacture to post-irradiation. This study explored the functions that each of the constituent chemicals plays in a polymer gel dosimeter. Although normoxic polymer gel dosimeters exhibit very similar characteristics to polyacrylamide polymer gel dosimeters, one important difference between them was found to be a decrease in R2-dose sensitivity over time in the normoxic polymer gel dosimeter compared to an increase in the polyacrylamide polymer gel dosimeters. From an investigation into the function of anti-oxidants in normoxic polymer gel dosimeters, alternatives were proposed. Several alternative anti-oxidants were explored in this study that found that whilst some were reasonably effective, tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium chloride (THPC) had the highest reaction rate. THPC was found not only to be an aggressive scavenger of oxygen, but also to increase the dose sensitivity of the gel. Hence, a formulation of normoxic polymer gel dosimeter was proposed, called MAGAT, that comprised: methacrylic acid, gelatin, hydroquinone and THPC. This formulation was examined in a similar fashion to the studies of the other formulations of polymer and normoxic polymer gel dosiemeters. The gel was found to exhibit spatial and temporal stability and an optimal formulation was proposed based on the R2-dose response. Applications such as IVBT require high-resolution dosimetry. Combined with high-resolution MRI, polymer gel dosimetry has potential as a high-resolution 3D integrated dosimeter. Thus, the second component of this study was to commission a micro-imaging MR spectrometer for use with normoxic polymer gel dosimeters and investigate artifacts related to imaging in high-resolutions. Using high-resolution MRI requires high gradient strengths that, combined with the Brownian motion of water molecules, was found to produce an attenuation of the MR signal and hence lead to a variation in the measured R2. The variation in measured R2 was found to be dependent on both the timing and amplitude of pulses in the pulse sequence used during scanning. Software was designed and coded that could accurately determine the amount of variation in measured R2 based on the pulse sequence applied to a phantom. Using this software, it is possible to correct for differences between scans using different imaging parameters or pulse sequences. A normoxic polymer gel dosimeter was irradiated using typical brachytherapy delivery and the resulting dose distributions compared with dose points predicted by the computerized treatment planning system.The R2-dose response was determined and used to convert the R2 maps of the phantoms to dose maps. The phantoms and calibration vials were imaged with an in-plane resolution of 0.1055 mm/pixel and a slice thickness of 2 mm. With such a relatively large slice thickness compared to the in-plane resolution, partial volume effects were significant, especially in the region immediately adjacent the source where high dose gradients typically exist. Estimates of the partial volume effects at various distances within the phantom were determined using a mathematical model based on dose points from the treatment planning system. The normalized and adjusted dose profiles showed very good agreement with the dose points predicted by the treatment planning system.