The purpose of this investigation was to assess the association between body mass index as well as race/ethnicity and established correlates of disordered eating including drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, bulimia, dietary restraint and social physique anxiety in male and female college students. Difference between actual, desirable and perceived body weight was also assessed. ANOVA suggested that as actual body mass index increased, in general, attitudes and behavior toward weight, body shape and eating increased. A two-tailed t-test suggested that males and females differed significantly with regards to attitudes and behavior toward weight body shape and eating. ANOVA indicated that little to no association existed between race/ethnicity and established correlates of disordered eating.

This thesis focuses on how Göran Sonnevis poetry, particularly KOSTER 2002 in Oceanen (2005), and how the poem portrays how the main character encounters divine concepts of entirety using mathematic terminology. The divine concept of eternity is referred to as nunc-stans and hic-stans, terms coined by the philosopher Thomas Hobbes and explicitly referenced to in the poetry of Oceanen. The study locates where in KOSTER 2002 the encounters appears and accounts for how the mathematic terminology is affiliated with divinity and the concepts of nunc-and hic-stans. This study shows how the poem expresses an ontological view of the existence, which is a fundamental aspect of the poetry in Oceanen. The study concludes that the view of the existence is that “everything there is” is connected and integrated with one another. When the main character experiences fragments of nunc-and hic-stans this refers to the integration of existence, in which the particular (the main characters subjective experiences) is connected to the universal (concepts of eternity and mathematical theories) and vice versa.

Computational models of the flow-induced vibrations of the vocal folds are powerful tools that can be used in conjunction with physical experiments to better understand voice production. This thesis research has been performed to contribute to the understanding of vocal fold dynamics as well as several aspects of computational modeling of the vocal folds. In particular, the effects of supraglottal geometry have been analyzed using a computational model of the vocal folds and laryngeal airway. In addition, three important computational modeling parameters (contact line location, Poisson's ratio, and symmetry assumptions) have been systematically varied to determine their influence on model output. Variations in model response were quantified by comparing glottal width, frequency, flow rate, open quotient, pressures, and wave velocity measures. In addition, the glottal jet was qualitatively analyzed. It was found that for various supraglottal geometries (either symmetrically or asymmetrically positioned), there was little asymmetry of the vocal fold motion despite significant asymmetry in the glottal jet. In addition, the vocal fold motion was most symmetric when consistent jet deflection was present (even if asymmetric). Inconsistent deflection of the glottal jet led to slightly larger asymmetries in vocal fold motion. The contact line location was found to have minimal impact on glottal width, frequency, and flow rate. The largest influence of the contact line location was seen in predicted velocity fields during the closed phase and in the pressure profiles along the vocal fold surfaces. Variations in Poisson's ratio strongly affected vocal fold motion, with lower Poisson's ratios resulting in larger amplitudes. The model did not vibrate when a Poisson's ratio of 0.49999 was used. The response of a full model (with two vocal folds) was shown to vary slightly from that of a half model (one vocal fold and a symmetry boundary condition), the greatest difference being in the deflection and dissipation of the glottal jet. It was concluded that for many scenarios the half model will be sufficient for modeling vocal fold motion; however, a full model is suggested for studies of material asymmetry or glottal jet dynamics. Application of these results to computational models of the vocal folds will lead to improved modeling and understanding of vocal fold dynamics.

Den här uppsatsen undersöker graviditetsskildringarna i Helena Granströms prosalyriska kortroman Hysteros (2013). Med stöd i nymaterialisten Karen Barads teori om materiella-diskursiva apparaturer och ett antal begrepp lånade från ekokritikern Timothy Mortons mörka ekologi, försöker den genom närläsningar att ta reda på hur graviditet – ett motiv som genomsyrar hela Granströms författarskap – i den aktuella texten fungerar som ingång till den form av ekologisk medvetenhet som Morton kallar ”ecognosis”. Läsningarna äger rum mot bakgrund av den nya moderskapslitteraturen, vilken definieras med hjälp av forskaren Lily Gurton-Wachter. Ett latent syfte med uppsatsen, utöver att beskriva graviditetsskildringarna och visa på deras relevans för det ekologiska tänkandet, är att demonstrera potentialen som finns i denna litteratur, liksom i studiet av den, både vad gäller förståelsen av de specifika erfarenheter den utgår från och utforskandet av andra filosofiska spörsmål med hjälp av dessa erfarenheter. Uppsatsen argumenterar i slutändan för att Granström framvisar graviditet som en miniatyr av antropocen, med vilket jag menar att graviditeten skildras som en aktiv materialitet som decentraliserar och löser upp gränserna för det autonoma mänskliga subjektet. Graviditeten ställer således Hysteros berättarjag inför samma svårigheter som antropocen enligt ekokritiken ställer mänskligheten inför.

Denna kandidatuppsats analyserar dikterna “En begrundande avskedsröst:”, “En överbliven röst minns:”, “Upprörd ekoröst:”, “Sårad socialarbetare fortsätter:”, “En jagröst som tror sig vara ensam överlevande:” samt en av dikterna med titeln “Mothägring” ur Elsa Graves undergångsskildring Slutförbannelser med avseende på framställningen av ekologins, ideologins och religionens roller i undergången. Centralt för analysen är framställningen av ekologins, ideologins och religionens förhållande till naturen samt hur deras respektive hållning i samspel med varandra gestaltas som drivande i undergångsprocesserna. Ekologins förhållande till naturen analyseras genom Timothy Mortons teoribildning om mörk ekologi. Ideologins och religionens förhållande till naturen undersöks genom Max Horkheimers och Theodor W Adornos bok Upplysningens dialektik. Analysens huvudsakliga resultat består i att ideologin och religionen framställs som mänskliga konstruktioner fjärmade från naturen vilket gör dem drivande i de förintande undergångsprocesserna. Ideologins förhållande till naturen framställs som drivande då den förintar både världen och sig själv, medan religionens förhållningssätt till naturen snarare framställs som en orsak i förhållande till ideologin. Undergångens orsaker identifieras gällande ideologin såväl som religionen som ett uteslutande av det ekologiska tänkandet om naturen. Ideologin respektive religionen framställs i Slutförbannelser som mänskliga konstruktioner medan det ekologiska tänkandet snarare framstår som evigt.

The depths of the forest carry ancient secrets. In the novel Stallo (2012), written by Stefan Spjut, trolls go unnoticed – hiding in plain sight through metamorphosis. They shapeshift into animals that are already known to exist and with telepathic abilities they nestle their way into the minds of the characters. Through these qualities the trolls in the novel continuously transgress and dissolve the world as the characters know it. In the novel the reader gains information only through a human perspective. The anthropocentric narrative presents a world similar to the reader’s – one built up around strict frameworks and sets of species. Where man is viewed as separate from nature and where all living creatures are expected to behave in a certain way. I argue that by dissolving these frames, the trolls in Stallo act as an implication to question through which lens the reader view the world. What I aim to show in the following essay is how Stallo, through the portrayal of trolls and their ecological transgressions, can be considered as criticism towards a view of nature as something separate to man and therefore also a criticism towards an anthropocentric view of the world. / Skogens djup bär på uråldriga hemligheter. I romanen Stallo (2012), skriven av Stefan Spjut, rör sig trollen öppet, men obemärkt, genom metamorfos. De förvandlar sig till djur som människan redan känner till och med telepatiska förmågor nästlar de sig in i karaktärernas sinnen. Genom egenskaperna som trollen i romanen besitter utmanar de kontinuerligt karaktärernas världsbild, genom att överträda och lösa upp synen på denna. I romanen ges läsaren information enbart genom ett mänskligt perspektiv och den antropocentriska berättelsen presenterar en värld mycket nära läsarens – en uppbyggd kring strikta ramar och uppsättningar av arter. En där människan ses som skild från naturen och där alla levande varelser förväntas bete sig på ett visst sätt. Jag hävdar att trollen i Stallo, genom att lösa upp dessa ramar, agerar som en uppmuntran till att låta läsaren ifrågasätta genom vilken lins hon ser världen och på så sätt hur Stallo kan betraktas som en kritik mot en antropocentrisk världsbild.

Teilw. zugl.: Köln, Universiẗat, Diss., 2004.

This thesis investigates whether beliefs acquired by way of prophecy are safe. By ‘prophecy’ I have in mind the presentation of the prophetic method as found in the Guide of the Perplexed, which was Moses Maimonides’ philosophical masterpiece. And by ‘safe’ I have in mind the work by Timothy Williamson on the safety condition for knowledge. Both authors have proven to be dominant forces on these respective topics. The significance of this investigation derives from the centrality of prophecy to the three monotheistic religions. My main goal in this thesis is to identify those safety risks associated with the prophetic method. In this manner I aim to undermine any presumption in favor of prophetic beliefs as a whole being safe. Importantly, this general conclusion does not entail of a specific prophetic belief p that p is unsafe. Additionally, the scope of these results is restricted to the model of prophecy found in the Guide. The thesis begins with a critical elucidation of Williamson’s extensive work on the safety condition for knowledge. Particular attention is paid to those issues related to method individuation and Williamson’s cumulative conception of bases. Matters concerning these two topics inform the reading of Maimonides on prophecy found in the second chapter. In particular, I argue that Maimonides should be read as defending a cumulative conception of prophecy. As I emphasize several times during the chapter, the epistemology of prophecy cannot be reduced to the epistemology of testimony since prophecy for Maimonides does not involve the transfer of a proposition from God to the prophet. The third chapter is devoted to identifying those elements of the prophetic method that involve room for error. I argue that while all belief-forming methods in a fallibilist epistemology contain room for error, some are riskier than others. Prophecy should be considered one of the riskier sort. The fourth and final chapter shifts attention to non-standard semantics for ‘knows,’ David Lewis’s in particular. I argue that the interaction between such semantics and the laws governing prophecy in Jewish law is problematic. In particular, I demonstrate that such semantics destabilize the prophetic phenomenon. As such, we must either choose invariantism and gain stability, or choose non-standard semantics for ‘knows’ and live with this lack of stability.

Exploring age structure in Mediterranean cultures illuminates the social dynamics of intergenerational relationships that became more visible in late first and early second century early Christian texts, and especially in 1 Timothy 5. This was a time of crisis when those with a living memory of the foundations of the movement were almost gone, and the community was scrutinized by outsiders. Since we have relatively few clues related to aging and age structure in the extant texts, a model of generational stability and social change based on ethnographic data helps us to imagine culturally sensitive possibilities that we can then test out as we reread the texts in their Roman cultural context. In his fictive story of Paul and Timothy, the author of the heterographical (pseudepigraphical) letter of 1 Timothy establishes an ideal intergenerational relationship between “Paul” as an older man and “Timothy” as his adult “child.” When the fictive Paul directs Timothy to speak kindly to older people (5:1-2), he introduces a section on age-related issues. Behaviour that was causing concern for public reputation included adult children shirking filial duty (5:4, 8), young widows gadding about in public (5:11-15), and younger men accusing their elders (5:19). These behaviours threatened the reputation and honour of the community and may have been encouraged by the opposing faction. The author’s solution was to reject the opposing teachings and enforce behaviour that reflected proper age structure: adult children should fulfill their filial responsibilities and care for widowed mothers and grandmothers (5:4); young widows should be guided and supported by middle-aged women who were responsible for them in the age hierarchy among women (5:16); middle-aged women should imitate the exemplary behaviour of the enlisted widows who were over 60 years old; and young men were to be rebuked in front of everyone for their disrespect toward elders (5:20). In the face of social change, the author advocates for behaviour reflective of the traditional age structure of Roman society.

Helmintheninfektionen induzieren in ihren Wirten Typ 2 (Th2) Immunantworten, welche parasitäre Larvenstadien hemmen und/oder zur Abstoßung von intestinalen Würmern führen. Th2-Antworten können auch gegenüber Umweltallergenen ausgebildet werden und allergische Reaktionen vermitteln. Mastzellen (MZ) spielen eine herausragende Rolle für die Wirtsantwort gegen Parasiten. Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Arbeit zeigen, dass eine Infektion von MZ-defizienten Mäusen mit Helminthen zu einer reduzierten Produktion von IL-25, IL-33 und TSLP, einer beeinträchtigten Etablierung von Th2 Immunantworten und einer erhöhten Wurmlast führt. Diese Parameter konnten allerdings nach einem erfolgreichen Transfer von Knochenmark aus Wildtypmäusen wiederhergestellt werden. Die vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt somit eine wichtige Funktion von Mastzellen für die Initialisierung von Th2 Immunantworten. Des Weiteren konnte gezeigt werden, dass ein Cystein-Protease-Inhibitor - AvCystatin sowohl Parameter von Atemwegsentzündung und -hyperreaktivität als auch Lieschgraspollen (Phl p 5b)-spezifische Immunantworten in einem klinisch relevanten Mausmodell für Atemwegsentzündung inhibiert. Gleichzeitig führte die Behandlung mit AvCystatin zu einem Anstieg von IL-10 und erhöhten Frequenzen von CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T Zellen. Die in vivo Effekte von AvCystatin wurden unabhängig von der Protease-inhibitorischen Aktivität des Immunmodulators oder dessen Fähigkeit zur Oligomerisation vermittelt. AvCystatin unterdrückte zudem die Allergen-spezifische Produktion von IL-13 und induzierte in vitro unter Verwendung mononukleärer Zellen aus dem peripheren Blut (PBMCs) von Graspollen allergischen Patienten einen IFN-gamma vermittelten Th1 shift. Zusammenfassend tragen die Ergebnisse der Arbeit zu einem besseren Verständnis für die frühen Ereignisse von Th2 Immunantworten bei und zeigen, dass Helminthenmoleküle Bystandereffekte auf Immunantworten vermitteln können, die gegen andere Antigene gerichtet sind. / Helminth infections induce protective type 2 (Th2) immune responses in the host leading to arrested larval development and/or intestinal worm expulsion. Moreover, Th2 immune responses are initiated against harmless environmental allergens and mediate development of allergic disease. Among multiple mechanisms implicated in host responses to parasites and allergens, mast cells (MCs) play a pivotal role. The present study shows that MC-deficient mouse strains following infection with two gastrointestinal helminths had dramatically reduced early production of the tissue-derived cytokines IL-25, IL-33, and TSLP, which resulted in impaired induction of Th2 immune responses as well as increased parasite burden. These parameters were restored after transfer of WT bone marrow. These data reveal an important role for MCs in orchestrating type 2 immune responses. Parasites have developed various strategies to modulate the immune system via induction of a range of regulatory mechanisms. In this study AvCystatin, the filarial cysteine inhibitor, was found to inhibit airway inflammation and hyperreactivity induced by a clinically relevant allergen of timothy grass pollen (Phl p 5b). AvCystatin increased levels of the regulatory cytokine IL-10 and total numbers of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells. The immunomodulatory effect in vivo was found to be independent of AvCystatin’s protease inhibitor activity or oligomerization. Finally, AvCystatin suppressed allergen-specific production of IL-13 and created a shift towards Th1 immunity by increased levels IFN-gamma of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from grass pollen allergic patients. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the early events that dictate the priming of type 2 immune responses. Furthermore, helminth product-induced suppression may also have effects on bystander responses to unrelated antigens, thus, suggesting a promising preventive and therapeutic concept in the treatment of aberrant inflammations.