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Certain observations made by Harold Bloom regarding the Hebrew Bible can be considered in the framework of Walter Ong's multivariate account of western cultural history, including his own discussion of aspects of the Hebrew Bible. By doing this, I create a win-win situation. On the one hand, I use Ong's various observations to deepen and strengthen Bloom's observations regarding the Hebrew Bible. On the other hand, I use Bloom's most pointed observations to deepen and strengthen some of Ong's larger considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hyperspectral fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) instrument is developed to study endogenous fluorophores in biological tissue as an optical biopsy tool. This instrument is able to spectrally, temporally, and spatially resolve fluorescence signal, thus providing multidimensional information to assist clinical tissue diagnosis. An acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) is used to realize rapid wavelength switch, and a photomultiplier tube and a high-speed digitizer are used to collect the time-resolved fluorescence decay at each wavelength in real time. The performance of this instrument has been characterized and validated on fluorescence tissue phantoms and fresh porcine skin specimens. This dual-arm AOTF design achieves high spectral throughput while allowing microsecond nonsequential, random wavelength switching, which is highly desirable for time-critical applications. In the results reported here, a motorized scanning stage is used to realize spatial scanning for two-dimensional images, while a rapid beam steering technique is feasible and being developed in an ongoing project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical model of ALA photodynamic therapy of human skin was used to calculate photosensitizer fluorescence and singlet-oxygen luminescence (SOL) observable at the skin surface during treatment. From the emissions, three practical dose metrics were calculated: the fractional fluorescence bleaching metric (FFBM) given by ln F0/F , where F is photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence and F0 is its initial value, the absolute fluorescence bleaching metric (AFBM) given by F0-F, and the cumulative SOL (CSOL). These three metrics can be measured during clinical PDT treatment, but their relation to actual singlet-oxygen distribution in the skin is complex and may depend on treatment parameters such as irradiance. Using the model, the three metrics were compared to the average singlet-oxygen dose in the dermis. Despite the complex dependence of 1O2 concentration on depth, a roughly linear correlation was found for all three dose metrics. The correlation for the FFBM was not robust when treatment parameters were varied and this metric was especially sensitive to the initial PpIX concentration and its depth dependence. The AFBM was less sensitive to treatment conditions but CSOL demonstrated the best overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented on Bakhtin and Medieval narratology. The author disagrees that critics citing Bakhtin have always improved one's understanding of medieval literary procedures. The author argues that Bakhtinian concepts, such as hybrid discourse, provide better tools for the analysis of medieval texts than other theories of discourse. He also discusses the issues presented by Free Indirect Discourse (FID), which was also demonstrated by author Monica Fludernik.

Presents literary criticism which tries to analyze the use of the word "spanne" or "span" in a passage from the poem "General Prologue," describing the forehead of a Prioress. He cites various definition of the term "span" taken from the Old English Dictionary and Middle English Dictionary. He argues that the description of the Prioress' forehead with the word "span" offers no meaningful foothold for objecting to her.

This article reflects on the influence of E. Talbot Donaldson's scholarship to other people and institutions. Donaldson has influenced scholars about his idea of close reading as opposed to what he calls patristic exegesis. Donaldson is unexpectedly resistant to purely iconic reading. Also, Donaldson does not want to rely on narration.

Discusses the clash of genres at the Siege of Benwick in the Arthurian legend. Participation of knight Lancelot in the siege; Achievement of Gareth in the quest; Values of chivalry during the siege.

Presents an obituary for Jesuit priest Walter J. Ong, who died in August 2003. Career highlights; Biographical information; Educational background; Publication of books such as 'The Presence of the Word' and 'Fighting for Life: Contest, Sexuality, and Consciousness'; Ong's creation spirituality.

Features Walter J. Ong, S. J., an author and priest. Personal and career background; His account of visualism in "Ramus, Method, and the Decay of Dialogue"; Analysis of his work.