The Narratives about Isaiah and Their Relationship with 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles

2020 ◽  
pp. 94-110
Author(s):  
Shelley L. Birdsong
Keyword(s):  
Biblical Text ◽  
Complex Character ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Multiple Meanings ◽  
Intertextual Connections ◽  
Theological Message ◽  
Over Time

This chapter explores the narratives about King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah found in 2 Kgs 18–20, Isa 36–39, and 2 Chron 32. First it comments briefly on the historicity of Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701 bce. Thereafter, it responds to the stalled source and redaction debate by putting forth an entirely new proposal for the development of these texts. Finally, it interprets each of the resulting prophet-king narratives in their own literary settings in order to stress how context reshapes meaning. In the book of Kings, Hezekiah is a complex character whose reign is tainted by his intertextual connections to other kings; he is part of the monarchy that ultimately failed to save its people from attack and eventual exile. In Isaiah, Hezekiah functions as a moral warning for returning exiles to maintain purity and heed the prophets. In Chronicles, Hezekiah is exalted—over and against the kings before and after him—as a divine devotee who prays faithfully and cares for God’s temple. In each book, the characters are formed around a unique theological message rather than historical veracity. Highlighting these differences undergirds the conception of the biblical text as a didactic rolling corpus that evolved over time and produced multiple meanings for each new setting. As such, it invites readers to update the narratives for their own contemporary contexts rather than simply search for historicity.

Weekly Exercise Consistently Reinstates Positive Mood

1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Steinberg ◽  
Briony R. Nicholls ◽  
Elizabeth A. Sykes ◽  
N. LeBoutillier ◽  
Nerina Ramlakhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Positive Mood ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
Single Bout ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Exercise Class ◽  
Negative Feelings ◽  
Over Time

Mood improvement immediately after a single bout of exercise is well documented, but less is known about successive and longer term effects. In a “real-life” field investigation, four kinds of exercise class (Beginners, Advanced, Body Funk and Callanetics) met once a week for up to 7 weeks. Before and after each class the members assessed how they felt by completing a questionnaire listing equal numbers of “positive” and “negative” mood words. Subjects who had attended at least five times were included in the analysis, which led to groups consisting of 18, 20, 16, and 16 subjects, respectively. All four kinds of exercise significantly increased positive and decreased negative feelings, and this result was surprisingly consistent in successive weeks. However, exercise seemed to have a much greater effect on positive than on negative moods. The favorable moods induced by each class seemed to have worn off by the following week, to be reinstated by the class itself. In the Callanetics class, positive mood also improved significantly over time. The Callanetics class involved “slower,” more demanding exercises, not always done to music. The Callanetics and Advanced classes also showed significantly greater preexercise negative moods in the first three sessions. However, these differences disappeared following exercise. Possibly, these two groups had become more “tolerant” to the mood-enhancing effects of physical exercise; this may be in part have been due to “exercise addiction.”

UK Fiscal Squeezes over a Century

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Hood ◽  
Rozana Himaz
Keyword(s):  
Data Sources ◽  
Fiscal Consolidation ◽  
Financial Outcomes ◽  
Financial Conditions ◽  
Deficit Reduction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Spending Cuts ◽  
Over Time

This chapter draws on historical statistics reporting financial outcomes for spending, taxation, debt, and deficit for the UK over a century to (a) identify quantitatively and compare the main fiscal squeeze episodes (i.e. major revenue increases, spending cuts, or both) in terms of type (soft squeezes and hard squeezes, spending squeezes, and revenue squeezes), depth, and length; (b) compare these periods of austerity against measures of fiscal consolidation in terms of deficit reduction; and (c) identify economic and financial conditions before and after the various squeezes. It explores the extent to which the identification of squeeze episodes and their classification is sensitive to which thresholds are set and what data sources are used. The chapter identifies major changes over time that emerge from this analysis over the changing depth and types of squeeze.

Imagery in the Book of Revelation

2020 ◽  
pp. 52-67
Author(s):  
Konrad Huber
Keyword(s):  
Reception History ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
Imperial Cult ◽  
Emotional Effect ◽  
Greco Roman ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Figurative Speech ◽  
Theological Message ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Way

The chapter first surveys different types of figurative speech in Revelation, including simile, metaphor, symbol, and narrative image. Second, it considers the way images are interrelated in the narrative world of the book. Third, it notes how the images draw associations from various backgrounds, including biblical and later Jewish sources, Greco-Roman myths, and the imperial cult, and how this enriches the understanding of the text. Fourth, the chapter looks at the rhetorical impact of the imagery on readers and stresses in particular its evocative, persuasive, and parenetic function together with its emotional effect. And fifth, it looks briefly at the way reception history shows how the imagery has engaged readers over time. Thus, illustrated by numerous examples, it becomes clear how essentially the imagery of the book of Revelation constitutes and determines its theological message.

scholarly journals Land Policy and Food Prices: Evidence from a Land Consolidation Program in Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
Aimable Nsabimana ◽  
Fidele Niyitanga ◽  
Dave D. Weatherspoon ◽  
Anwar Naseem
Keyword(s):  
Food Prices ◽  
Land Policy ◽  
Land Consolidation ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
White Potato ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Price Differences ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Rwanda’s “Crop Intensification Program (CIP)” is primarily a land consolidation program aimed at improving agricultural productivity and food security. The program, which began in 2007, focuses on monocropping and commercialization of six priority crops: maize, wheat, rice, white potato, beans, and cassava. CIP has facilitated easy access to improved seed stocks, fertilizer, extension services, and postharvest handling and storage services. Although studies have documented the impact of CIP on changes in farm yield, incomes, and productivity, less is known about its impact on food prices. In this study, we examine the crop-food price differences in intensive monocropped CIP and non-intensive monocropped CIP zones in Rwanda. Specifically, the study evaluates price variations of beans and maize along with complementary food crops in intensive and non-intensive monocropped zones before and after the introduction of the CIP policy. We find that the CIP policy is not associated with differences in CIP crop prices between the intensive and non-intensive monocropped zones. Over time, prices increased for CIP crops but generally, the crop prices in the two zones were cointegrated. Prices for non-CIP crops in the two different zones did show price differentials prior to the implementation of CIP, with the prices in intensive monocropped zones being greater than in the non-intensive monocropped zones. Moreover, the prices in intensive areas are cointegrated with prices in non-intensive areas for maize and beans and these prices are converging. This indicates that farmers who intensively produced one CIP crop were able to go to the market and purchase other food crops and that price differences between zones have decreased over time, potentially making the CIP intensive farmers better off.

How Collective-Action Failure Shapes Group Heterogeneity and Engagement in Conventional and Radical Action Over Time

2021 ◽  
pp. 095679762097056
Author(s):  
Morgana Lizzio-Wilson ◽  
Emma F. Thomas ◽  
Winnifred R. Louis ◽  
Brittany Wilcockson ◽  
Catherine E. Amiot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Social Identification ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Group Efficacy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Over Time

Extensive research has identified factors influencing collective-action participation. However, less is known about how collective-action outcomes (i.e., success and failure) shape engagement in social movements over time. Using data collected before and after the 2017 marriage-equality debate in Australia, we conducted a latent profile analysis that indicated that success unified supporters of change ( n = 420), whereas failure created subgroups among opponents ( n = 419), reflecting four divergent responses: disengagement (resigned acceptors), moderate disengagement and continued investment (moderates), and renewed commitment to the cause using similar strategies (stay-the-course opponents) or new strategies (innovators). Resigned acceptors were least inclined to act following failure, whereas innovators were generally more likely to engage in conventional action and justify using radical action relative to the other profiles. These divergent reactions were predicted by differing baseline levels of social identification, group efficacy, and anger. Collective-action outcomes dynamically shape participation in social movements; this is an important direction for future research.

354 Trends in the Drug-Sparing Effects for Benzodiazepines and Prescription Opioids among Insomnia Patients on Suvorexant in the US

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A141-A141
Author(s):  
Hrishikesh Kale ◽  
Rezaul Khandker ◽  
Ruchit Shah ◽  
Marc Botteman ◽  
Weilin Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Charlson Comorbidity Index Score ◽  
Prescription Opioid ◽  
Prescription Opioids ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Prescription Opioid Use ◽  
Incident Cohort ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Post Period

Abstract Introduction Use of benzodiazepines to treat insomnia has been associated with serious side effects and abuse potential. Insomnia patients are at high risk of opioid abuse and better sleep patterns may help to reduce opioid use. This study examined the trend in the use of benzodiazepines and prescription opioids before and after initiation of suvorexant in insomnia patients. Methods The study analyzed 2015–2019, Optum Clinformatics Data Mart. Insomnia patients, identified using ICD-9/10 codes and prescribed suvorexant were included. The study included incident (newly diagnosed) and prevalent cohorts of insomnia patients. The proportion of patients on benzodiazepines or prescription opioids were calculated for 12 monthly intervals before (pre-period) and after initiation of suvorexant (post-period). Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was conducted to assess trends for use of benzodiazepine or prescription opioids over time. Results A total of 5,939 patients from the incident insomnia cohort and 18,920 from the prevalent cohort were included. For the incident cohort, mean age was 64.47 (SD: 15.48), 63% were females, 71% had Medicare Advantage coverage, 59% had Charlson comorbidity index score (CCI) ≥ 1, 27% had an anxiety disorder and 16% had substance abuse disorder. Prevalent insomnia cohort was similar but had higher CCI. Results from ITS suggested that at the beginning of the pre-period, 28% of incident insomnia patients used either opioids or benzodiazepines with the rate of use in the pre-period increasing by 0.11% per month. In the post-period, the rate of use decreased by 0.33% per month. About 26% patients used benzodiazepines or opioids at 12-month after suvorexant initiation. In the absence of suvorexant, this proportion would have been 31%. Similar findings were observed for the prevalent insomnia cohort. A larger decrease was observed for opioid use than benzodiazepines. Conclusion The rate of benzodiazepines or prescription opioid use decreased over time after the initiation of suvorexant. Suvorexant has the potential to reduce the use of opioids and benzodiazepines among insomnia patients. Further research is needed to confirm these findings. Support (if any) This study was sponsored by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

scholarly journals Oral rehydration therapies in Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone: a spatial analysis of changes over time and implications for policy

BMC Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten E. Wiens ◽  
Lauren E. Schaeffer ◽  
Samba O. Sow ◽  
Babacar Ndoye ◽  
Carrie Jo Cain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Healthcare Access ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Geostatistical Model ◽  
Oral Rehydration ◽  
Severe Diarrhea ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a simple intervention that can prevent childhood deaths from severe diarrhea and dehydration. In a previous study, we mapped the use of ORS treatment subnationally and found that ORS coverage increased over time, while the use of home-made alternatives or recommended home fluids (RHF) decreased, in many countries. These patterns were particularly striking within Senegal, Mali, and Sierra Leone. It was unclear, however, whether ORS replaced RHF in these locations or if children were left untreated, and if these patterns were associated with health policy changes. Methods We used a Bayesian geostatistical model and data from household surveys to map the percentage of children with diarrhea that received (1) any ORS, (2) only RHF, or (3) no oral rehydration treatment between 2000 and 2018. This approach allowed examination of whether RHF was replaced with ORS before and after interventions, policies, and external events that may have impacted healthcare access. Results We found that RHF was replaced with ORS in most Sierra Leone districts, except those most impacted by the Ebola outbreak. In addition, RHF was replaced in northern but not in southern Mali, and RHF was not replaced anywhere in Senegal. In Senegal, there was no statistical evidence that a national policy promoting ORS use was associated with increases in coverage. In Sierra Leone, ORS coverage increased following a national policy change that abolished health costs for children. Conclusions Children in parts of Mali and Senegal have been left behind during ORS scale-up. Improved messaging on effective diarrhea treatment and/or increased ORS access such as through reducing treatment costs may be needed to prevent child deaths in these areas.

scholarly journals Disentangling niche theory and beta diversity change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Godsoe ◽  
Peter J Bellingham ◽  
Elena Moltchanova
Keyword(s):  
Beta Diversity ◽  
Price Equation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Environmental Requirements ◽  
Habitat Specialists ◽  
Montane Tropical Forest ◽  
Ecological Drift ◽  
Over Time

Beta diversity describes the differences in species composition among communities. Changes in beta diversity over time are thought to be due to selection based on species' niche characteristics. For example, theory predicts that selection that favours habitat specialists will increase beta diversity. In practice, ecologists struggle to predict how beta diversity changes. To remedy this problem, we propose a novel solution that formally measures selection's effects on beta diversity. Using the Price equation, we show how change in beta diversity over time can be partitioned into fundamental mechanisms including selection among species, variable selection among communities, drift, and immigration. A key finding of our approach is that a species' short-term impact on beta diversity cannot be predicted using information on its long-term environmental requirements (i.e. its niche). We illustrate how our approach can be used to partition causes of diversity change in a montane tropical forest before and after an intense hurricane. Previous work in this system highlighted the resistance of habitat specialists and the recruitment of light-demanding species but was unable to quantify the importance of these effects on beta diversity. Using our approach, we show that changes in beta diversity were consistent with ecological drift. We use these results to highlight the opportunities presented by a synthesis of beta diversity and formal models of selection.

scholarly journals Variation in the prices of oncology medicines across Europe and the implications for the future

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Brian Godman ◽  
Steven Simoens ◽  
Amanj Kurdi ◽  
Gisbert Selke ◽  
John Yfantopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Patent Protection ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Oral Oncology ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Ageing Populations

Introduction/Objectives: Health authorities are facing increasing challenges to the sustainability of their healthcare systems because of the growing expenditures on medicines, including new, high-priced oncology medicines, and changes in disease prevalence in their ageing populations. Medicine prices in European countries are greatly affected by the ability to negotiate reasonable prices. Concerns have been expressed that prices of patented medicines do not fall sufficiently after the introduction of lower-cost generic oncology medicines. The objective of this study was to examine the associations over time in selected European countries between the prices of oral oncology medicines, population size, and gross domestic product (GDP) before and after the introduction of generic versions. Evidence of periodic reassessments of the price, value, and place in treatment of these medicines was also looked for. The goal of this review was to stimulate debate about possible improvements in approaches to reimbursement negotiations. Methodology: Analysis was performed of reimbursed prices of three oral oncology medicines (imatinib, erlotinib and fludarabine) between 2013 and 2017 across Europe. Correlations were explored between GDP, population size, and prices. Findings were compared with previous research regarding prices of generic oral oncology medicines. Results: The prices of imatinib, erlotinib and fludarabine varied among European countries, and there was limited price erosion over time in the absence of generics. There appeared to be no correlation between population size and price, but higher prices of on-patent oral cancer medicines were seen among countries with higher GDP per capita. Conclusion: Limited price erosion for patented medicines contributed to increases in oncology medicine budgets across the region. There was also a concerning lack of evidence re-assessments of the price, value, and place in treatment of patented oncology medicines following the loss of patent protection of standard medicines. The use of such proactive re-assessments in negotiating tactics might positively impact global expenditures for oncology medicines.

Mythology or Zoology

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-59
Author(s):  
Peter Joshua Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Biblical Text ◽  
Bible Translation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

The challenge of Bible translation is often confounded by the uncertain identity of many of the animals and mythological creatures found in the text. This essay is an attempt to analyse why these creatures have complex, obscure translations and thereby complicate the passages they inhabit. Over time, this problematic translation of the biblical passages has been influenced by a variety of different historical and contextual factors; however, it has also interestingly influenced the readership of the biblical text. By focussing upon a couple of particularly intriguing words, this essay displays the impact that the process of translation has had upon the understanding of the biblical text.


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