Transport and deposition of airborne pollutants in exhibition areas located in historical buildings–study in Wawel Castle Museum in Cracow,Poland

Historical buildings and castles that have been turned nowadays into museums, as an exhibition area for precious cultural heritage (CH) items, need more attention since they are CH objects by themselves. Moreover, the preservation techniques require often, significant interventions; however such changes are not always possible or are very limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of outdoor air pollution on the composition of particulate matter and gases inside the museum of Wawel Castle in Cracow, Poland. During this study a combination of micro and trace analysis techniques were applied, including energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). An intensive transport of air pollutants coupled with accumulation of the particles inside the museum was noticed (considerably higher in winter than summer). A high content of carbon and organic matter agglomerated with inorganic particles was determined. Those particles are of special concern because of their adhesive properties and reactivity. It was also noted that the conditions inside the museum favour the reaction of the particles with gaseous pollutants. It was especially the case for nitrate particles.     

II President's statement on the “Recruitment and Retention of Minority Group Members on the Faculty at Yale”

Reports and Documents

II President's statement on the Recruitment and Retention of Minority Group Members on the Faculty at YalePresident's statement on the recruitment and retention of minority group members on the faculty at YALE     

Particle-modified consolidants: A study on the effect of particles on sol–gel properties and consolidation effectiveness

In this paper, we have performed a systematic characterization of sol and gel properties for particle-modified silica consolidants filled with titania (TiO₂-PMC), alumina (Al₂O₃-PMC), and silica (SiO₂-PMC) particles. Viscosity of the sol is not increased much by loading with particles, especially for TiO₂-PMC and SiO₂-PMC. Composites show a strong reduction of silicate network shrinkage. Also, the incorporation of oxide particles into the matrix increases the elastic modulus while decreasing the thermal expansion. In agreement with the improvement of bulk gel properties, we observed better performance of PMCs against unfilled silicate upon consolidation of Ohio Massilian sandstone. Notably, the sulfate crystallization test has less effect on PMC-treated than on silica-treated samples.     

“A Delicious Way to Help Save Lives”: Race,Commodification, and Celebrity in Product (RED)

Abstract

The Product (RED) campaign raises money to fight AIDS in Africa by helping to sell brand-name merchandise to affluent consumers. This paper examines the racialized representations of the (RED) website and the campaign's use of a consumer–celebrity fund-raising model. Through the analytical lens of critical cultural studies, I argue that (RED) commodifies Africans and “African-ness” under a celebratory guise, and reinscribes a narrative of Africa as a “problem child.” The campaign paradoxically trades on the very disparities of global capitalism that propel the AIDS crisis. It is central in (re)producing the human consequences of globalization, shoring up a symbolic and material marketplace marked by extreme poverty and extreme consumption.     

A discussion on the development model of earthquake relic geopark – a case study of the Qingchuan Earthquake Relic Geopark in Sichuan Province,China

Earthquake relic is a unique geoheritage. At present, the research on earthquake relic geoparks or national parks is less domestic and overseas, while the protection, development and exploration are in its infancy. This paper, taking ‘Qingchuan Earthquake Relic Geopark’ (QERG) as an example, analyses the characteristics of the geopark, and explores the development model, in order to provide reference for the earthquake relic geopark and national park development domestic and overseas.     

“A倒是A”小句的认知语用分析

"A倒是A"小句属于同义反复式"A是A"的一种,其否定形式为"A倒是不/没A"。本文首先从句内语境和句外语境两个方面来分析小句"A倒是A"的语义结构特征,其次分析了"A倒是A"与"A倒不/没A"谓词选择的不对称性,最后从认知语用的角度,运用关联理论对小句所表达的会话含义进行推导,认为其会话含义是可推导的,其语境效果是通过新旧信息相互作用来表现的。     

Defining and Communicating What “Intercultural” and “Intercultural Communication” Means to Us

In order to engage in our larger discussion, we needed to share our definitions, framings, and theorizings of what “intercultural” and “intercultural communication” mean to us and how we inflect these based on our own experiences, identities, and perspectives. Discussants break down how they understand the notion of “intercultural” behind commonly used and circulated terms in our scholarship.     

Bacterial community analysis on the Mediaeval stained glass window “Natività” in the Florence Cathedral

Microbial corrosion of glass causes problems on delicates antique glass samples. Until now, the effect of microbial activity on corrosion phenomena has not been well documented. Only a few studies have been published concerning the microflora growing on glass surfaces.The present study deals with the characterization of cultivable aerobic bacteria isolated from the historical glass window “Natività” in the Florence Cathedral, designed by Paolo Uccello and realized by Angelo Lippi between 1443 and 1444. Microbial strains were sampled from four of the 25 panels of the “Natività” in the occasion of a recent conservation treatment, due to the presence of various kinds of crusts. One hundred microorganisms were isolated, about 50% bacteria and 50% fungi. Bacteria were submitted to morphological characterization and classified in the Gram group. For twenty strains, from different glass panels, the 16S rDNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed genus Bacillus, Arthrobacter and Paenibacillus as the most representative. In particular Bacillus and Paenibacillus are crusts associated. Phylogenetic relationship among isolates was determined. Chemical analysis of the glass and crusts completed the study.     

口语格式“A就A”的同形异构研究

口语格式“A就A”的使用频率高,具有较强的能产性。“A就A”存在着同形异构现象,包含两种语义关系：表因果和表强调。“A就A”形成同形异构格式的主要原因即是“就”的语法化。除此,两种“A就A”格式的共性印证了语言使用上重叠的可行性,差异指出区分的途径,在一定程度上有助于汉语构式的区分与学习。     

Glocalized whiteness: Sustaining and reproducing whiteness through “skin toning” in post-colonial Ghana

This research explores the changing discourse surrounding skin lightening currently referred to as “skin toning” in sub-Saharan Africa. This study problematizes the “skin toning” discourse which deceitfully implies that dark-skinned individuals can “slightly lighten” their skin with fewer social and physical consequences. Through critical discourse analysis of an interview with a former Ghanaian beauty queen (Nasara) on YouTube, it became evident that she utilized specific neoliberal ideologies to discursively frame “skin bleaching.” The concurrent interpretations of skin toning speak to the spaces where gender, race, class, and social status intersect to create particular subjectivities and produce particular discourses at specific times.     

Estimates, Bias and “No Sales” in Latin-American Art Auctions, 1977–1996

Estimate bias and no-sales are investigated in the context of Latin American Art auctions conducted in New York between 1977 and 1996. We find that, using a new method for calculating bias, both Sotheby's and Christie's overestimated art (oil-on-canvas pieces) by 2.7 percent. The inclusion of no-sales raises that proportion to a full one-third of the art traded. Utilizing a binomial probit analysis, moreover, we find that the estimate window is negatively and significantly related to the likelihood of a no sale at auction.