Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'International Conference on Patristic Studies'

Journal Summary: The International Country Music Journal is a publication of the International Country Music Conference and is is a collection of articles by scholars Tex Olson, Patrick Huber, Tony Russell, Linda Daniel, Nolan Porterfield, Fred Hopetner, Andrew Smith, Curtis Ellison, Anthony Kosar, Ed Morris, Jim Clark, Tex Morton and Don Cusic. Topics include the Bristol Sessions, Singing Cowboys and artists Dianne Leigh, Brad Paisley, Bill Walker, Townes Van Zandt, Jimmie Rodgers and Ralph Stanley.

In modernity, culture is everywhere. So is cultural studies, it seems. But cultural studies needs to be advanced, in two senses: to be promoted but also to be ameliorated. Culture is focal in late  modern societies, and should be so in research. New encounters and innovative modes of study are necessary to deal with the new kinds of problems posed by current cultural developments. The international and interdisciplinary field of cultural studies well deserves to be spread, but also longs for regenerative initiatives. There is now in Sweden an option to take a decisive step in this direction. This is what this report argues for.

With contributions by Pertti Alasuutari, Birgit Arve-Pares, Karin Becker, Svante Beckman, Peter Dahlgren, Kirsten Drotner, Olle Edström, Billy Ehn, Simon Frith, Marianne Gullestad, Ulf Hannerz, Jan Hjärpe, Arne Jarrick, Thomas Johansson, Lisbeth Larsson, Orvar Löfgren, Britta Lundgren, Anders Öhman, Janice Radway, Bo Reimer,  Mats Rolen, Ove Sernhede, Britt-Marie Thurén and Mats Trondman.

Since the 1990s the Great Lakes Region has continued to be mired in intractable conflict, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being at the center of it. The aim of this study is therefore an attempt to understand how the InternationalConference of the Great Lakes Region has fared in the transformation of conflict in the region, through its attempts in the DRC. For the purpose of the study, conflict transformation as presented by John Paul Lederachwas used as a theory of analyzing the selected peace efforts by the ICGLR. Furthermore, the data used in the study were secondary data which consists of archival records and documentation. The study revealed two key issues in the ICGLR’s approach to peace attempts in DRC; it showed that there are gaps in the conflict transformation approach of the earlier attempts by the ICGL, which favored more political solutions. Secondly, a rethink of the approach revealed a much more robust approach, which seeks to address not only the political conflicts but also seeks to address the historical and structural conflicts in the region. However, with the positive change in the approach, there are still high levels of conflict in the DRC.

This thesis examines Britain’s role in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). Based on multi-archival research and interviews with key diplomats, it presents the first in-depth study of Britain’s involvement in the negotiations leading up to the Helsinki Final Act of 1 August 1975. It draws on Marc Trachtenberg’s notion of the ‘constructed peace’, and Alexander Wendt’s concept of ‘cultures of anarchy’ to elucidate how the rapprochement process at once stabilised and transformed the East-West conflict. This forms the theoretical framework of the thesis. The thesis revises the interpretation of détente as a status quo project driven by the imperatives of ‘Realpolitik’. Rather, different conceptions of stability and change challenged each other during the Helsinki talks. British diplomacy and the Final Act to which it contributed in fact linked the consolidation of the status quo to an ultimately transformative agenda that was infused with liberal ideas such as human rights. Realpolitik blended with Moralpolitik. To develop this argument, the thesis’ narrative first assesses Britain’s role in the early days of détente politics in the 1950s and 1960s. It then traces Britain’s role in the three main phases of the Helsinki process: the transition from bilateral to multilateral détente (1970-1972); preliminary talks (1972-1973); official negotiations (1973-1975). The British were defensive détente sceptics at the beginning of this process, but became ambitious and positive contributors over the course of the talks. The thesis thus argues that London played a significant part in the CSCE. British foreign policymakers were initially architects of the Cold War, but then early and active proponents of détente until the mid-1960s, when their continental partners adopted a more proactive approach. London was to return to the forefront of détente diplomacy when the CSCE process got under way. Its involvement in the CSCE also marked an important step in Britain’s own transformation into a European middle power. The multilateralisation of détente coincided with Britain’s integration into the European Community, providing a propitious environment in which London’s negotiators acted with determination and skill, thus reasserting their country’s influence despite its continuing relative decline.

Analysts have had a long fascination with moments of significant change and discontinuity in political relations. Studies of “exogenous shocks,” “critical junctures,” “historical events,” “policy windows,” and “punctuated equilibria” have occupied a prominent place in qualitative assessments of policy and institutional change. Yet, despite analysts’ interest, these turning points remain poorly understood. Leading theoretical treatments are overwhelmingly descriptive, offering little in the way of explanatory capacity. Introducing the concept of Temporal Focal Points, my thesis provides a temporal extension to Thomas C. Schelling’s focal point hypothesis. Temporal Focal Points—definite, exceptional phases along the temporal continuum—precipitate a convergence of expectations among actors in time that heightens the likelihood of agreement. Convergent expectations are a crucial means of overcoming temporal coordination problems among actors. By facilitating a spike in analytical activity, political entrepreneurship, and bargaining intensity, actors are able realize joint gains opened up by past shifts in key parameters. Prominent temporal signposts allow actors to recognize that existing institutional arrangements are not an equilibrium. I test the plausibility of this theory through an analysis of the record of change at four distinct phases of the history of the United Nations environment regime from 1962-1992, including the 1972 Stockholm conference, the 1982 Nairobi conference, the UN General Assembly’s response to the Brundtland report, and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

This essay examines the European Union’s (EU) ability to play a leading role as a global actor on the world stage in international relations. Specifically, this essay studies the EU’s role of negotiator in the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.  This essay also analyzes explanations for this role. Research is based on case studies, with conclusions drawn using an inductive approach. Analyses are based on International Relations Theory, with conclusions derived from the two main approaches in IR-theory - Realism and Liberalism. It is noted that the EU wanted to play an important role in the negotiations, through leading by example and consistently working towards a common, universal treaty for all involved, which is consistent with the Liberalist approach. However, the conference ended with the American president negotiating alone with four other countries, leaving the remaining one hundred and eighty-eight countries to either accept or reject the agreement without changes. This supports the Realist approach in IR-theory.  Therefore, the essay’s overall conclusions demonstrate that both the Liberalist and Realist approaches were present during this conference. 

Thesis (MA)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study applies a modified bureaucratic policy process model to analyse contemporary South African – Japanese relations, particularly in regards to a proposed Economic Partnership Agreement, and the experiences of Japanese agencies within South Africa. South Africa and Japan are major trade partners, and the Japanese government has a significant presence in the African aid scene via the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), and through the works of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). South African – Japanese relations have been documented in a modest but respectable fashion by a range of researchers, including Alden, Skidmore and Osada. The bureaucratic policy process model has been used in an array of studies on international relations and decision making, notably by Graham Allison. However, it has not been previously applied to South African – Japanese relations. As a result, there is a dearth of information on how bureaucratic dynamics affect Japanese – South African relations. In response to this, a modified bureaucratic policy process model is used to analyse contemporary South African – Japanese governmental relations. A literature review of primary and secondary sources is undertaken, consisting of a historical review of South African – Japanese relations. Following this, a brief overview of contemporary literature on South African – Japanese relations is performed. This includes both secondary sources and primary sources relating to government bureaucracies current priorities and strategies. Material on TICAD is included in this section. Interviews with government officials from both the Japanese and South African governments are carried out using a modified snowball sampling system. The interviews provide insights into the different bureaucratic organization’s priorities and programmes, as well as their relationships with other organizations. From this data, two emergent themes are addressed: the failure of a contemplated Free Trade Agreement / Economic Partnership Agreement and the way in which Japanese agencies, particularly JICA, operate within the South Africa context. It is found that the FTA failed due to welfare concerns from the South African Department of Trade and Industry, as well as greater complications relating to trade agreements in general. These greater complications stem from the involvement of regional bodies such as the South African Customs Union. Japanese agencies are found to be constrained within South Africa by a lack of resources as well as by the independent and somewhat sceptical attitude of South African government agencies towards Japanese aid efforts. It is proposed that the relevance of extra national bureaucracies to the decision making process surrounding the FTA has implications for deploying the bureaucratic policy process model, which has generally only considered national bureaucracies in discussing how decisions are made. It is further suggested that South African trade deals are complicated by the country’s location within the South African Customs Union and the South African Development Community, and the consequent need to consult and negotiate with third parties who are likely to be impacted by such deals. Finally, it is suggested that because both South Africa and Japan face significant, but different economic challenges, they should prioritise improving their economic relations.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het ’n aangepaste burokratiese beleidsprosesmodel gebruik om die hedendaagse betrekkinge tussen Suid-Afrika en Japan te ontleed, veral wat betref ’n voorgestelde ekonomiese vennootskapsooreenkoms tussen die twee lande en die ervarings van Japannese agentskappe in Suid-Afrika. Suid-Afrika en Japan is groot handelsvennote, en die Japannese regering handhaaf ’n beduidende teenwoordigheid op die Afrika-hulptoneel deur middel van die Tokiose Internasionale Konferensie oor Afrika-ontwikkeling (TICAD) en die werk van die Japannese Internasionale Samewerkingsagentskap (JICA). Verskeie navorsers, waaronder Alden, Skidmore en Osada, het die betrekkinge tussen Suid-Afrika en Japan al op beskeie dog aansienlike wyse beskryf. Die burokratiese beleidsprosesmodel is al in ’n rits studies oor internasionale betrekkinge en besluitneming gebruik, in die besonder deur Graham Allison. Tog is dit nog nooit voorheen op betrekkinge tussen Suid-Afrika en Japan toegepas nie. Dus bestaan daar weinig inligting oor hoe burokratiese dinamiek die betrekkinge tussen hierdie twee lande raak. In antwoord hierop is ’n aangepaste burokratiese beleidsprosesmodel dus gebruik om die hedendaagse staatsbetrekkinge tussen Suid-Afrika en Japan te ontleed. Eerstens is ’n literatuuroorsig van primêre en sekondêre bronne onderneem wat uit ’n historiese oorsig van betrekkinge tussen Suid-Afrika en Japan bestaan het. Daarná is ’n oorsig van kontemporêre literatuur oor die verhoudinge tussen die twee lande onderneem. Dít het sowel sekondêre as primêre bronne met betrekking tot die huidige prioriteite en strategieë van staatsburokrasieë ingesluit. Hierdie afdeling sluit ook materiaal oor TICAD in. Onderhoude met staatsamptenare van die Japannese sowel as die Suid-Afrikaanse regerings is met behulp van ’n aangepaste stelsel van sneeubalsteekproefneming gevoer. Die onderhoude bied insig in die verskillende burokratiese organisasies se prioriteite en programme, sowel as hul verhoudings met ander organisasies. Twee temas wat uit hierdie data na vore gekom het, is vervolgens bespreek: die mislukking van ’n beoogde vryehandel-/ekonomiese vennootskapsooreenkoms, en die funksionering van Japannese agentskappe, veral JICA, in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Daar word bevind dat die vryehandelsooreenkoms misluk het weens welsynsbesware van die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Handel en Nywerheid, sowel as groter komplikasies met betrekking tot handelsooreenkomste in die algemeen. Hierdie groter komplikasies hou verband met die betrokkenheid van streeksliggame soos die Suider-Afrikaanse Doeane-unie. Voorts blyk Japannese agentskappe in Suid-Afrika aan bande gelê te word deur ’n gebrek aan hulpbronne, sowel as Suid-Afrikaanse staatsagentskappe se onafhanklike en effens skeptiese houding jeens Japannese hulppogings. Die studie doen aan die hand dat die relevansie van bykomende nasionale burokrasieë in die besluitnemingsproses oor die vryehandelsooreenkoms bepaalde implikasies inhou vir die gebruik van die burokratiese beleidsprosesmodel, wat meestal slegs rekening hou met enkele nasionale burokrasieë se rol in besluitneming. Voorts blyk dit dat Suid-Afrikaanse handelstransaksies bemoeilik word deur die land se lidmaatskap van die Suider-Afrikaanse Doeane-unie en die Suider-Afrikaanse Ontwikkelingsgemeenskap, en die gevolglike behoefte om oorleg te pleeg met derde partye wat waarskynlik deur sulke transaksies geraak sal word. Laastens word aangevoer dat aangesien Suid-Afrika en Japan met beduidende dog verskillende ekonomiese uitdagings te kampe het, die verbetering van ekonomiese betrekkinge tussen die twee lande nou voorrang behoort te geniet.

The dissociation behavior of the CH4+CO2 binary gas hydrate has been investigated using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This technique allows us to distinguish the hydrate structure present, as well as to quantify phase concentrations. Single-pulse excitation was used in combination with magic-angle spinning (MAS). Time-resolved in situ decomposition experiments were carried out at different compositions in sealed, pressurized samples. The decomposition profiles of the CH4+CO2 binary gas hydrate system obtained at various compositions suggest that the decomposition rate is a strong function of the fractional cage occupancy and temperature. An unexpected CH4 hydrate reformation was observed during our decomposition experiments when the temperature reached the ice melting point. A decrease on the CO2 content in the hydrate phase was found during the decomposition experiment, as the pressure and temperature of the system increases.

The inter-conversion of methane-ethane hydrate from metastable to stable structures was studied using Raman spectroscopy. To investigate factors controlling the inter-conversion, the rate of structural transition was measured at 59% and 93% methane in ethane. The observed slower structural conversion rate in the lower methane concentration atmosphere can be explained in terms of the differences in kinetics (mass transfer of gas and water rearrangement). Also, the effect of kinetic hydrate inhibitors, poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyethylene-oxide (PEO), on the hydrate metastability was investigated at 65% and 93% methane in ethane. PVP increased the conversion rate at 65% methane in ethane (sI is thermodynamically stable), but retarded the rate at 93% methane in ethane (sII is thermodynamically stable), indicating that the function of PVP depends on hydrate structure. PEO did not affect the structural transition considerably for either methane-ethane compositions.

Raman spectroscopic measurements of various hydrogen bearing clathrate hydrates have been performed under high (< 1cm-1) and low resolution (>2 cm-1) conditions. Raman bands for hydrogen in most common clathrate hydrate cavities have been assigned. Unlike most clathrate hydrate guests, the general observation is no longer valid that the larger the clathrate cavity in which a guest resides, the lower the vibrational frequency. This is rationalized by the multiple hydrogen occupancies in larger clathrate cavities. Both the roton and vibron bands for hydrogen clathrates illuminate interesting quantum dynamics of the enclathrated hydrogen molecules. At 77K, the progression from ortho to para H2 occurs over a relatively slow time period (days). The para contribution to the roton region of the spectrum exhibits the triplet splitting also observed in solid para H2. The complex vibron region of the Raman spectrum has been interpreted by observing the change in population of these bands with temperature and with isotopic substitution by deuterium. Raman spectra from H2 and D2 hydrates suggest that the occupancy patterns between the two hydrates are analogous. The Raman measurements demonstrate that this is an effective and convenient method to determine the relative occupancy of hydrogen molecules in different clathrate cavities.

This article provides a comprehensive reference list to the extensive studies of marine natural gas hydrate surveys and studies on the northern Cascadian margin of Western Canada. The references are divided into each of the major study methods, surveys, analyses and conclusions. A number of MSc and PhD theses are included. We first refer to the articles that address the local tectonics and sedimentary accretionary prism in which the hydrate forms, then those that describe the numerous geophysical and geological surveys and studies, and finally the articles that address the most important conclusions that have resulted from this work on the distribution , concentrations, and amounts of hydrates, and on the processes of hydrate formation and dissociation.

Clathrate hydrates can be reasonable choices for high-density hydrogen storage into compact host media, which is an essential task for hydrogen-based future society. However, conventional storage scheme where aqueous solution is frozen with hydrogen gas was impractically slow for practical use. Here we propose a much faster scheme where hydrogen gas was directly charged into hydrogen-free, crystalline hydrate powders. The storage kinetics was observed in situ by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in a pressurized tube cell. At pressures up to 20 MPa the storage was complete within 80 minutes, as observed by growth of stored-hydrogen peak into the hydrate. Since the rate-determining step of current storage scheme is body diffusion of hydrogen within the crystalline hydrate media, we have measured the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen molecules using the pulsed field gradient NMR method. The results show that at temperatures down to 250 K the stored hydrogen is highly mobile, so that the powdered hydrate media should work well even in cold environments. Compared with more prevailing hydrogen storage media such as metal hydrides, the clathrate hydrate could offer even more advantages: It is free from hydrogen embrittlement, more chemically durable, more environmentally benign, as well as economically quite affordable.

Recently, by performing molecular dynamics simulations in the methane-water system, we have measured the static lifetimes of cagelike water clusters (CLWC) immersed in bulk liquid water, during which the member-water molecules of CLWCs are not allowed to exchange with their surrounding water molecules [J. Phys. Chem. C, 2007, 111, 2595]. In this study, we measure the dynamic lifetimes of CLWCs with permitting such water exchanges. It is found that the dynamic lifetimes of CLWCs are not less than the static lifetimes previously obtained, and their ratio increases with the lifetime values. The results strengthen that CLWCs are metastable structures in liquid water and the occurrence probability of long-lived CLWCs will increase if one uses the dynamic lifetimes instead of the static lifetimes. The implications of this study for hydrate nucleation are discussed.

The pore saturation of natural gas hydrate in sediments is a key parameter for estimating hydrate resources in a reservoir. For a better understanding of gas hydrate distribution, the experimental study of the pore saturation of methane hydrate in sediments from a hydrate reservoir in the Eastern Nankai Trough have been carried out. In total, eleven samples, comprising sand, silty sand, silt, and representative of the main sediment types identified in the Eastern Nankai trough, were tested. The results obtained clearly indicate a particle size and clay content dependent trend: almost 100% of pores were saturated with methane hydrate in sand when little silt and clay were present, decreasing to ~ 13% in silty sand (sand 54%, silt 41% and clay 5%), and ~ 4% in clayey silt. These results are generally consistent with NMR logging results for high-saturation samples, but somewhat different for samples with medium or low saturation levels.

Replacement of the traditional thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors (methanol and glycols) in multiphase applications is highly desirable for Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) considerations and for investment costs savings. Low Dose Hydrate Inhibitors (LDHI) are good candidates to achieve this objective and their interest is growing in the E&P industry. There are two types of LDHI: the Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitors (KHI) and the Anti-Agglomerants (AA) also called dispersant additives. The main challenge with LDHIs is that they require the unprocessed effluents to be produced inside the hydrate stability zone. It is then of the utmost importance to select, qualify and implement properly LDHIs, so that their field deployment is performed with success. But due to the very stochastic nature of the nucleation step, the hydrate crystallisation process leads to very large discrepancies between performances results carried out at lab or pilot scales. In order to overcome this difficulty, we have developed an in-house special protocol which is implemented prior to each qualification tests series. This in-house 15 years old protocol consists in conducting each tests series with a fluids system having previously formed hydrates in a first step but followed by a dissociation step at moderate temperature for a few hours. This paper presents results selected from several field cases studies and obtained from our 80 bara and 165 bara flow loops. They show the very good reproducibility obtained with and without LDHIs. In the case of KHI, where the stochastic nature of the nucleation step is very critical, the results show that the deviation on the “hold time” for a given subcooling is less than 15%. (Revised version of ICGH paper 5499_1)

The “Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle” (IGCC) represents an advanced approach for green field projects for power generation. This process requires separation of carbon dioxide from the shifted-synthesis gas mixture (fuel gas). Treated fuel gas consists of approximately 40% CO2 and rest H2. Gas hydrate based separation technology for hydrate forming gas mixtures is one of the novel approaches for gas separation. The present study illustrates the gas hydrate-based separation process for the recovery of CO2 and H2 from the fuel gas mixture and discusses relevant issues from macro and molecular level perspectives. Propane (C3H8) is used as an additive to reduce the operating pressure for hydrate formation and hence the compression costs. Based on gas uptake measurement during hydrate formation, a hybrid conceptual process for pre-combustion capture of CO2 is presented. The result shows that it is possible to separate CO2 from hydrogen and obtain a hydrate phase with 98% CO2 in two stages starting from a mixture of 39.2% CO2. Molecular level work has also been performed on CO2/H2 and CO2/H2/C3H8 systems to understand the mechanism by which propane reduces the operating pressure without compromising the separation efficiency.

This ethnographic project delves into the spheres of life of three autistic adults and their families. This thesis analyzes their experiences, current routines, and personal and family narratives about what it means to be an autistic adult across different identities and geographies. This thesis also identifies forms of knowledge that arise in these life experiences and shape strategies, decisions, or attitudes taken to navigate through life or overcome possible difficulties in their present and futures. This research takes place in Colombia, a diverse country and engages with anthropology of the everyday, sensory anthropology and disability studies.

The central focus of this Master's thesis was to provide a concise overview of the academic work of the contemporary Spanish interpreter and interpreting historian, Jesús Baigorri Jalón. We carried out an in-depth analysis of his work, accompanied by the critical reception of his two key publications. In the introductory part of our thesis, we focused on the author's methodology and placement in Spanish and Czech academic contexts. Then, we elaborated a comprehensive, chronological overview of the author's two main monographs and outlined the main topics discussed in Baigorri's studies. We also focused on the author's contribution to the translation and interpreting studies, his research methodology and its potential to serve as an inspiration to Czech researchers.