The Origin of Life: More Questions Than Answers

Abstract

More than 30 years of experimentation on the origin of life in the fields of chemical and molecular evolution have led to a better perception of the immensity of the problem of the origin of life on Earth rather than to its solution. At present all discussions on principal theories and experiments in the field either end in stalemate or in a confession of ignorance. New lines of thinking and experimentation must be tried. The continued exploration of our solar system, especially a better knowledge of Mars and Venus, of comets and carbonaceous meteorites may also lead to a better understanding of the prebiotic environment on Earth and will thus help us to design more appropriate prebiotic simulation experiments.     

Zoning,More Than Just a Tool: Explaining Houston's Regulatory Practice

The intent of this article is to understand why Houstonians reject zoning while simultaneously adopting a collection of mechanisms that serve zoning-type functions. The answer is found in discursive-institutionalist approaches that emphasize the symbolic meaning (besides the instrumental value) that people give to regulatory tools. Zoning as a label is generally associated with an interference with individual liberty. Apparently, the other interventionist instruments do not carry the same negative value, which makes it possible to implement them without much opposition. Discourses shape institutions, like planning regulations, and we need to unravel and to understand these processes in order to increase the performance of planning.     

驳唐代进士难、明经易说

近几十年流行唐代进：仁难、明经易说,所持理由一是两科录取率相差悬殊,二是两科考试内容不同,难易有差。考察具体情况,不是这么回事。实际情况是,进士、明经,难易相当。     

Less Reckless Than He Fears

Patrick Deneen argues in Democratic Faith that Americans turn to the recognition of human humility in a way that is consonant with traditional religious faith. But to ask Americans to embrace a more humble understanding of themselves is a difficult task, even if that understanding accords more closely with truth of human existence. In a contemporary American culture that is awash in unreality, even churches have adopted language that suggests an infinite perceptibility of man. This suggests that the kind of turn Deneen advocates may have to emanate from some cultural source other than a religious one.     

牛鬼蛇神、牛棚及其他

1.1 中国民俗所谓牛鬼蛇神,本为传说中的神怪。牛鬼又称牛头,在佛教中是看守地狱的鬼卒,牛头人手,两脚牛蹄,名曰阿傍。该鬼卒常与另一马面鬼合称“牛头马面”。蛇神是佛教护法神“天龙八部”之一的大蟒神,名曰摩睺罗迦,其形象为人身蛇首。中国古代神话传说中也有自己的蛇神。《山海经》中就有好多位“人首(面)蛇身”的神,汉高诱注《淮南子》谓天神共工“蛇身人面”,《列子·黄帝》谓庖牺(伏羲)、     

民俗研究的主观性及其他

1988年,Evelyn s．Rawski曾提到历史学家与人类学家研究中国丧葬习俗的方法及由此引起的一些争论。Rawski指出,历史学家和人类学家研究中国丧葬仪式的方法是不同的。就人类学家而言,他们关心     

Jesuit Rings of Metals Other Than Brass

Abstract

Jesuit rings are usually described as made of brass, but an occasional reference to silver rings appears in the literature. A re-examination of the information on silver rings indicates that some of the identifications as silver were mistaken while others may actually refer to white metal.