Different Points Of Contact Research Articles

Hesychasm and Psychedelics: Altered States, Purgation, and the Question of Authentic Mysticism

The purpose of this essay is to introduce the reader to the tradition of Hesychasm—a form of monastic asceticism rooted in the tradition of the Desert Fathers and given a systematic articulation by the Byzantine author Gregory Palamas (1296–1359)—and to consider how the mystical experiences described in Palamas’s Triads compare to the altered states at the center of contemporary psychedelic research. After reviewing the chief claims of the hesychastic tradition about the nature and purpose of ascetic practice, the essay will consider the methodological challenges psychedelic researchers face when assessing experiences induced by psychedelic substances. The last section will turn to the discipline of Comparative Theology as a helpful framework to bring into dialogue the hesychastic understanding of deification as a trajectory grounded in the reception of the sacraments and the therapeutic impact of psychedelic experiences. The essay will uncover different points of contact between hesychastic and psychedelic experience but will also foreground a number of irreducible differences between the two, reflecting the specific anthropological and soteriological claims of the hesychastic tradition. The conclusion will advocate for greater epistemic modesty—warning from overhasty identification of mystical states and psychedelic experiences—but also invite theologians and psychedelic researchers to greater reciprocal openness to each other’s insights.

The emotional impact of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women in China and Japan: a qualitative study

BackgroundUncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are one of the most common community-acquired infections, particularly among women. Common symptoms of UTI include dysuria, urinary urgency and increased frequency, and lower abdominal pain. With appropriate treatment, symptoms may resolve in a few days. However, there is a lack of research on the emotional impact of this disease. We conducted a qualitative, interview-based study to gain a greater understanding of the emotional impact of uUTIs in women in China and Japan.MethodsA qualitative, exploratory, in-depth, interview-based study was conducted between 19 November 2020 and 25 February 2021. Women aged ≥ 18 years who experienced ≥ 1 uUTI and received antibiotic treatment in the past year were eligible for inclusion. Participants must have experienced ≥ 1 of the following symptoms during a uUTI episode: urinary urgency, frequency, dysuria, or lower abdominal/suprapubic pain. Participants who reported back pain or fever (indicative of complicated UTI) were excluded. Participants with recurrent or sporadic UTIs were included, with specific screening criteria used to ensure capture of both groups. Following a screening call, a structured, in-depth telephone interview (~ 30 min in duration) was conducted by three female external moderators trained in qualitative interviewing, assisted by an interview guide. Interviews were analysed individually and thematically, with the results presented within the identified themes.ResultsA total of 65 women with uUTI completed the in-depth telephone interview: 40 (62%) from China and 25 (38%) from Japan. Participants reported that the symptoms of uUTI affected multiple aspects of their lives, and described feelings of embarrassment, frustration, guilt, dread, and loneliness associated with symptoms that interfered with relationships, work and daily activities, and sleep. Participants reported seeking healthcare from several different points of contact, from local pharmacies to hospitals.ConclusionsOur analysis highlights the profound emotional impact of uUTIs in women in China and Japan, and the journey these participants take before their initial interaction with a healthcare professional. These insights emphasise the need to better understand the full impact of uUTI, and the role of healthcare professionals in improved patient education and support.

Perception of Consumers towards Sustainable Omni-Channel Retailing

The previous two decades have seen a considerable shift in the retailing paradigm due to information technology, going from a one way channel to online channel, multiple channel, and most recently, a sustainable omni-channel retailing. The innovations make it easier and more enjoyable for customers to purchase through numerous channels. Sustainable omni-channel system also makes it easier for merchants to identify different points of contact as well as strategies for meeting customer demands and boosting sales. The present study focuses on factors influencing consumer’s buying intention through sustainable omni-channel.

St. Cordula und die Kölner Johanniter. Zu Rolle und Funktion weiblicher Heiliger und ihrer Reliquien

St. Cordula and the Cologne Johanniter. On the role and function of female saints and their relics The Hospitaller commandery in Cologne not only had an extraordinarily rich collection of relics, it was almost unique in having relics found on its own grounds. In 1278 and 1327, remains of several saints were collected, which were attributed to the entourage of St Ursula and the 11.000 virgins. These were not particularly high-ranking saints, but the Hospitallers knew how to cleverly use the findings to secure a prominent place for their house in the legend, which was very well known throughout Europe. With the relics, especially those of St Cordula, whose discovery was staged in a hagiographic text, the Hospitaller commandery also succeeded in placing itself in Cologneʼs very dense sacral landscape and establishing connections far beyond the city and the Rhineland. Especially in difficult situations, the finding of the relics offered members of the order and the social environment of the commandery’s self-assurance, as they confirmed the promise of salvation. Last but not least, pilgrims and donations brought economic benefits. This article demonstrates that a particularly high-ranking relic or saint was not necessarily needed to be successful. Falling back on those who fit into a narrative that offered different points of contact could be just as advantageous in securing support and gaining influence.

АНАЛИЗ МОРФОЛОГИИ ПРИ ВОЗДЕЙСТВИИ ЭЛЕКТРОЛИТИЧЕСКОЙ СТРУИ НА ПОВЕРХНОСТЬ НЕРЖАВЕЮЩИХ СТАЛЕЙ

The article is devoted to the study of the effect of an electrolytic jet on the surface of a metal anode. The studies were carried out in the electrolysis mode with a study of the transition to the electrolyte-plasma treatment mode. Special attention is paid to the mechanisms of formation of the morphology of the surface of stainless steels 08X18H9T, AISI 301, AISI 304. It is shown that for different steels, the process of electro-chemical dissolution of the anode material is accompanied by different mechanisms of dissolution of the micronerities of the microprofile. The current-voltage characteristics of the process in the voltage range in the range of 20-250 V. The effect of the decrease in the mass of the anode material on the current value is considered. The morphology of steels has been studied under different technological conditions and at different points of contact of the electrolytic jet with the surface. The criteria accompanying the transition to the electrolyte-plasma regime from the electrolysis regime are considered.The effect of an electrolytic jet on the risks formed by mechanical treatment on the anode surface is investigated. The influence of stress on the formed surface roughness parameter Ra is considered. The calculation of the electric field strength for surface nanodefects was performed in the Comsol Multithisics program. The results of this work can be used for the development of turbine blade processing technology, electrochemical cutting and nanoobrabotation of materials.

Gaps and opportunities for the integrated delivery of mother-child care, postpartum family planning and nutrition services in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger

Background Maternal and infant deaths can be prevented through integrated service delivery during pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood. Our study analyses the gaps and opportunities associated with integrating maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services with postpartum family planning (PPFP) and nutrition services at different points of contact in health facilities in a preintervention context in west Africa. Methods We conducted a qualitative study from June to July 2018 in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger. The points of contact studied at the health facility level were the prenatal care, postpartum care and immunisation/growth monitoring services. Individual in-depth interviews were used to collect data from key informants (providers, community health workers and mother-child health programme managers). To measure the degree of service integration, we used the dimensions and indicators included in the Integra Initiative framework concerning four aspects of integration: physical (the availability of multiple services in the health facility), temporal (the availability of care more than one day per week), provider level, and functional (the receipt of integrated services by the client). Results The findings of this study show that the integrated delivery of MNCH, PPFP, and nutrition services is configured in similar ways in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger and is insufficient at all points of contact. Physical integration is high. However, the study found important gaps in temporal, functional and provider-level integration. The main barriers to integrated service delivery are the shortage of providers, the lack of training in integrated service delivery, and insufficient service organisation. However, the availability of multiple services throughout the week, the multiple points of contact between the mother-child pair and the health system, and the multiple skills of providers represent opportunities for functional integration through the establishment of a formal referral system between the different care units with follow-up and feedback among service providers. Conclusions The provision of training and the development of a well-organised referral system in different health facilities, taking into account the specific characteristics of each health facility (urban/rural, primary health facility/district hospital), can improve the delivery of integrated MNCH, PPFP, and nutrition care to the mother-child pair.

Audio identity in branding and brand communication strategy: a systematic review of the literature on audio branding

Brand creation and management has undergone a substantial change in recent years as a result of new communication strategies, adaptation to the digital transmedia paradigm, and interaction with consumers. The use of an audio identity as a variable in this architecture and its inclusion in the different points of contact with consumers has generated a growing interest in audio branding. This article responds to the need to establish a conceptual basis and the state of the art in order to advance in the in-depth study of the discipline through a systematic review of the literature. This review was carried out in the Web of Science databases for the 2011–2020 period. After the initial filtering, a total of 36 articles were analysed and divided into four areas of relevance: phonetics in brand names, audiovisual advertising and branding, local city or country branding, and political branding.

The role of hospital nurses in shared decision-making about life-prolonging treatment: A qualitative interview study.

AimsTo examine hospital nurses’ perception of their actual and potential contribution to shared decision‐making about life‐prolonging treatment and their perception of the pre‐conditions for such a contribution.DesignA qualitative interview study.MethodsSemi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 18 hospital nurses who were involved in care for patients with life‐threatening illnesses. Data were collected from October 2018‐January 2019. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis by two researchers.ResultsNurses experienced varying degrees of influence on decision‐making about life‐prolonging treatment. Besides, we identified different points of contact in the treatment trajectory at which nurses could be involved in treatment decision‐making. Nurses’ descriptions of behaviours that potentially contribute to shared decision‐making were classified into three roles as follows: checking the quality of a decision, complementing shared decision‐making and facilitating shared decision‐making. Pre‐conditions for fulfilling the roles identified in this study were: (a) the transfer of information among nurses and between nurses and other healthcare professionals; (b) a culture where there is a positive attitude to nurses' involvement in decision‐making; (c) a good relationship with physicians; (d) knowledge and skills; (e) sufficient time; and (f) a good relationship with patients.ConclusionNurses described behaviour that reflected a supporting role in shared decision‐making about patients’ life‐prolonging treatment, although not all nurses experienced this involvement as such. Nurses can enhance the shared decision‐making process by checking the decision quality and by complementing and facilitating shared decision‐making.ImpactNurses are increasingly considered instrumental in the shared decision‐making process. To facilitate their contribution, future research should focus on the possible impact of nurses’ involvement in treatment decision‐making and on evidence‐based training to raise awareness and offer guidance for nurses on how to adopt this role.

The copy as original: the presence of the absent Spanish Habsburg king and colonial hybridity

AbstractThe political culture that defined the Spanish empire was made up of elements that, borrowing from their different points of contact, travelled the world‐around being transformed in the process into a mixed style that defied a clear origin (or original). This political culture was based on sixteenth‐ and seventeenth‐century understandings of the copy as an original that not only made possible the dissemination in the empire of the figure and powers of the absent king by making him ‘present’, but also produced common understandings of his figure, powers, and genesis of the empire. By examining ceremonial deployments of royal simulacra in various cities of the vast Spanish monarchy, and coeval understandings of the copy, this article, argues that the cultural production of this empire cannot be best understood within ahistorical centre‐periphery frameworks of cultural production and/or as derivative colonial phenomena, as do notions of cultural hybridity and of ‘colonial’ art.

(Re)Reading Pop Personae: A Transmedial Approach to Studying the Multiple Construction of Artist Identities

AbstractThis article engages with a wide range of existing literature relevant to understanding the artist persona in popular music, and advocates a view of personae as multiply constructed through sound recordings, music videos, live performances, interviews, social media posts, and a variety of other means. In an initial effort to theorize pop personae as transmedial phenomena, I merge a critical musicological understanding of the performative potential of aesthetics with perspectives from celebrity studies and media studies to produce new insights into how personae are articulated across a variety of disparate but intersecting spaces. Through a case study of Sam Smith, I demonstrate how the signs and symbols scattered across numerous platforms are aggregated in the pop persona, and elucidate the interpretive possibilities afforded by different points of contact between artist and audience. I conclude that the task of reading pop personae amounts to an assessment of the conglomerate of texts and contexts that shape both the production and the reception of pop expressions.

Perceptual Thresholds for Vibration Transmitted to Road Cyclists.

In this article, we seek to determine how sensitive road cyclists are to vertical vibration transmitted while riding a road bicycle and to propose metrics for the evaluation of dynamic comfort. Road cyclists are exposed to random-type excitation due to road roughness. Vibration transmitted affects dynamic comfort. But how sensitive are cyclists to vibration level? What are the best metrics to measure the amount of vibration transmitted to cyclists? Previous studies used sinusoidal excitation with participants on rigid seats and measured acceleration. We use a psychophysical estimation of Just Noticeable Differences in Level (JNDL) for vertical vibration transmitted to cyclists on a road simulator. In Experiment 1, we estimate the JNDL for whole-body vibration using vertical excitation on both wheels simultaneously (20 male cyclists). In Experiment 2, we estimate the JNDL at two different points of contact by applying the same signal to only the hands or the buttocks (9 male cyclists). The JNDLs are expressed in terms of acceleration and power transmitted to the cyclist. We compare the JNDLs expressed with these 2 metrics and measured at different points of contact. Using these two metrics and at all points of contact, vibration magnitude needs to be reduced by at least 15%, for the change to be detectable by road cyclists. A road bicycle needs to transmit at least 15% less vibration for male cyclists to detect an improvement in dynamic comfort. Dynamic bicycle comfort can be measured in terms of a new metric: power transmitted to the cyclist.

Ottoman textiles and Greek clerical vestments: prolegomena on a neglected aspect of ecclesiastical material culture

This article discusses a neglected aspect of Greek ecclesiastical material culture: the wide use of Ottoman textiles after the conquest of Constantinople. My discussion will touch upon Greek archival sources before analysing three different types of textiles: aniconic silks and velvets; Ottoman figural production for the Christian market; and embroidery of the Byzantine tradition featuring Ottoman motifs. These categories represent three different points of contact between Ottoman aesthetic and Greek ecclesiastical material culture. If the use of aniconic textiles expresses the employment of court aesthetic, then the figural silks represent the weaving industry's response to a Christian demand for such products. Finally, the Byzantine-tradition embroideries discussed constitute evidence of artistic confluence.

Flexible Piezoresistive Sensors Embedded in 3D Printed Tires.

In this article, we report the development of a flexible, 3D printable piezoresistive pressure sensor capable of measuring force and detecting the location of the force. The multilayer sensor comprises of an ionic liquid-based piezoresistive intermediate layer in between carbon nanotube (CNT)-based stretchable electrodes. A sensor containing an array of different sensing units was embedded on the inner liner surface of a 3D printed tire to provide with force information at different points of contact between the tire and road. Four scaled tires, as well as wheels, were 3D printed using a flexible and a rigid material, respectively, which were later assembled with a 3D-printed chassis. Only one tire was equipped with a sensor and the chassis was driven through a motorized linear stage at different speeds and load conditions to evaluate the sensor performance. The sensor was fabricated via molding and screen printing processes using a commercially available 3D-printable photopolymer as 3D printing is our target manufacturing technique to fabricate the entire tire assembly with the sensor. Results show that the proposed sensors, inserted in the 3D printed tire assembly, could detect forces, as well as their locations, properly.

Creating a compelling brand meaning by orchestrating stories: The case of Scandinavia's largest department store

The aim of this paper is to explore how a company can create a compelling brand meaning by orchestrating what is said in different points of contact with the brand. A case study of Scandinavia's largest store suggests that, in order to create a compelling brand meaning, a retailer need to manage oral and written stories, as well as stories told by facilities, goods, and services. It is argued that all stories need to be coherent in the sense that they all fit the brand meaning, and that it sometimes may require expansion of the retailer's control boundary. The case study also suggests that reality shows can be important points of contact, very much due to their ability to tell credible stories that can humanize the brand, and that individual employees can constitute important assets in these stories.

A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF TEETH MESHING CONDITIONS AND PROFILE CORRECTION ON THE CARRYING CAPACITY, WEAR, AND LIFE OF A CYLINDRICAL GEAR

Using an innovative method for determining wear and life of toothed gears, the author investigates the effect of teeth meshing in a mixed (double-singledouble) tooth engagement of cylindrical helical gears on their contact strength, wear, and service life. The paper also presents a method for determining zones of double and single tooth engagement. It is found that gear profile correction leads to a reduction in maximum contact pressures by about 15–20%, depending on the applied type of correction. The distribution of pressures greatly depends on the conditions of tooth engagement. The wear of teeth is also significantly affected by their meshing conditions. Depending on the type of correction applied and its coefficients, the allowable limit of gear tooth wear will occur at different points of contact: at the beginning of double tooth engagement and at the beginning or end of single-tooth engagement. It is shown that the service life of gears can be considerably prolonged if optimum correction coefficients are applied. Specifically, height correction increases the gear life by 1.66 times while angular correction prolongs the service life of gears by up to two times.

Rotational spectra of propargyl alcohol dimer: a dimer bound with three different types of hydrogen bonds.

Pure rotational spectra of the propargyl alcohol dimer and its three deuterium isotopologues have been observed in the 4 to 13 GHz range using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. For the parent dimer, a total of 51 transitions could be observed and fitted within experimental uncertainty. For two mono-substituted and one bi-substituted deuterium isotopologues, a total of 14, 17, and 19 transitions were observed, respectively. The observed rotational constants for the parent dimer [A = 2321.8335(4) MHz, B = 1150.4774(2) MHz, and C = 1124.8898(2) MHz] are close to those of the most stable structure predicted by ab initio calculations. Spectra of the three deuterated isotopologues and Kraitchman analysis positively confirm this structure. Geometrical parameters and "Atoms in Molecules" analysis on the observed structure reveal that the two propargyl alcohol units in the dimer are bound by three different types of hydrogen bonds: O-H⋯O, O-H⋯π, and C-H⋯π. To the best of our knowledge, propargyl alcohol seems to be the smallest molecule forming a homodimer with three different points of contact.

Adolescent Obesity and Risky Sexual Behavior

To the Editor: The recent supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine—Addressing Latino Childhood Obesity Through Research and Policy: Findings from the Salud America! Experience 1 Ramirez A.G. Ayala G.X. Addressing Latino Childhood Obesity Through Research and Policy: Findings from the Salud America! Experience. Am J Prev Med. 2013; 44: S173-S296 PubMed Google Scholar —was exciting and interesting to read. It is a constant reminder of the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in health outcomes that can be seen early in life. It has become clear that treating obesity requires a multifactorial approach. It is also becoming more apparent, and suggested by many of the reports in this supplement, that obesity can be difficult to treat and requires an approach with many different points of contact, including medical providers, parents, and community.

“L’uomo di genere neutro”. Note su Vn. poet. syll. 19-20 Z e Aus. epigr. 50 K

The paper examines some literary variations on the theme of the eunuch’s figure, with particular attention to the Late Antiquity’s epigrammatic production, starting from the unusual Phaedrus’ fable 3, 11, with the analysis being specifically dedicated first to un. poet. syll. 19 Z[urli] (= 97 SB = 108 R) (De eunucho), whose mischievous and more hidden wit is reinterpreted in the light of Mart. 6, 67 and Iuv. 6, 366-368 e 6, 29-33 W, and, secondly, to the next poem un. poet. syll. 20 Z (= 98 SB = 109 R), and in particular to the use of the “restored” term clunis also common to Lux. 293 SB (= 298 R) (un. poet. syll. 3 femineo [...] clune ~ Lux. 2 roseo [...] clune). In fact in both poems this word is the result of a speculative and conjectural proposal by modern philologists (Franz von Oudendorp for the unus poeta and Eugenio Grassi for Luxorius), but the use of this word in the unus poeta is moreover confirmed by 40 Z (= 118 SB = 129 R), 2. After examining the possible and different points of contact between the two texts of the unus poeta under consideration and Ov. am. 2, 3, in which the poet complains to the irrepressible eunuch guardian of the woman he loved for his excessive intransigence, the article deals with the origin and significance of the wit neutri (...) homo generis (un. poet. syll. Z 40, 6), not attributable to the anonymous African poet’s invention, but recovered and resumed completely from Aus. epigr. 50 K (Item [= De Rufo rhetore]), where it appears the similar expression neutri filii generis (v. 6) and which is analyzed here, in all its deliberate and strategic ambiguity, even in relation to the controversial relationship with the coeval Pallada’s epigram A.P. 9, 489. The unus poeta author of the sylloge, included in the codex Salmasianus, has in fact been able to understand and interpret subtlety the less apparent meaning of the mocking pointe which marks the epigram 50 K of Ausonius, adjusting and reporting its wit of the genus neutrum to the only epigrammatic subject which could befit, strictly speaking, in respect of the words’ meaning and according to the anatomy: an eunuch.

Prevalence Of Parasitic Oocysts And Ova On Currency

A study of the contamination of Nigerian currency notes by parasites was carried out in Nnewi North LGA between January and August 2004. Three hundred and fifty-five pieces of different denominations of naira notes were collected from different points of contact in Nnewi North LGA. There were 500, 200,100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 naira denominations separated into five groups on the basis of their physical appearance as follows: mint fresh, clean, dirty, very dirty and very dirty and mutilated. Each note was swabbed on both surfaces with cotton wool soaked in normal saline. The swab was pressed into a tube containing formal saline and the tube was later centrifuged at 2000rpm for 3 minutes. The supernatant was examined for parasite ova, cysts and oocysts under the microscope. The result showed that 53(14.9%) of the currency notes were contaminated. The very dirty and mutilated notes were the most contaminated while the mint fresh and clean notes which served as controls showed no parasites. In terms of denominations the twenty naira notes were the most contaminated (5. 9%) while the five hundred and two hundred naira notes were the least contaminated (0.28%). There was a positive association between the presence of dirt on the notes and contamination by parasites (p>0.05). The cysts, oocysts, or ova isolated from the notes were Entamoeba histolytica(4.7%), Giardia Iamblia(1.90A»), Entamoeba coli(1.7%), Endolimax nana(1.4%), Balantidium 00/;(0.85%), Ascaris lumbricoides(1.75%), Tricostrongylus(0.85%), Hookworm(0.S5%), Taenia spp.(0.2%) and Isospora belli(1.15%). This study shows that the currency in circulation is not only poorly handled but it is a potential source of contracting parasitic infections. An enhanced campaign against the abuse in handling the currency notes and the need to maintain good personal hygiene is recommended. Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp. 16-20

Supporting Ubiquitous IMS-based Teleconferencing Through Discovery and Composition of IMS and Web Components

Natural communication among people happens in flexible ways and is strongly affected by the users' situation (such as communication tools available, user's location, and user's preferences). This situation or context information is seldom used to initiate communication sessions among users. Current communication systems are indifferent about users' context, often require time consuming manual configurations and often result in conferencing tools not being easily accessible when needed. This leads to lower adoption of innovative communications services. IMS SIP (IP Multimedia Subsystem, Session Initiation Protocol) sessions allow users to access the session from different points of contact (home, office, etc.), however, IMS still requires a prior knowledge of all SIP components that might be used in a SIP session. Furthermore, IMS makes limited use of context information (mainly user-defined availability). To address these issues our research approach combines techniques from pervasive computing with IMS networking principles to facilitate compositions of communication sessions based on users' context. We propose a platform and APIs for pervasive application development support to allow greater intelligence in IMS applications. We additionally provide mechanisms for IMS applications to apply their intelligence to the configuration of physical devices and web resources used to set up a conference. The innovations proposed in this paper are: (1) A new standard for intelligent IMS-based conferencing applications. (2) Application Development Interfaces (APIs) for a platform for pervasive computing. (3) An architecture for a pervasive IMS platform.