The Numbers of Numbers: The Census Accounts in the Book of Numbers

2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Itamar Kislev
Keyword(s):  
Similar Process ◽  
Persian Period ◽  
Careful Inspection

AbstractThe Book of Numbers receives its name from the two census accounts it includes, at the beginning and towards the end of the account of the wilderness wandering (chapters 1–2; 26). In this paper I examine the literary relationship between these two accounts, which contain several similar components as well as some significant differences. Upon a careful inspection, it emerges that the differing features of the census accounts are explained by the assumption that two different documents underlie both accounts, while the similarities between them suggest that the same editorial hand was responsible for the composition of both. The terms used as part of the editorial activity in both accounts can teach us that this activity took place in the Persian period. The redactional process revealed in the census accounts seems to be related also to a similar process in the story of the spies, especially in Num 14,29.35.

Reactivity Trends in the Gas Phase Addition of Acetylene to N-protonated Aryl Radical Cations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oisin Shiels ◽  
P. D. Kelly ◽  
Cameron C. Bright ◽  
Berwyck L. J. Poad ◽  
Stephen Blanksby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Ion Trap ◽  
Radical Cations ◽  
Rate Coefficients ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Ion Molecule Reactions ◽  
Aromatic Radicals ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Gas Phase Ion ◽  
Type Radical

<div> <div> <div> <p>A key step in gas-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) formation involves the addition of acetylene (or other alkyne) to σ-type aromatic radicals, with successive additions yielding more complex PAHs. A similar process can happen for N- containing aromatics. In cold diffuse environments, such as the interstellar medium, rates of radical addition may be enhanced when the σ-type radical is charged. This paper investigates the gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of acetylene with nine aromatic distonic σ-type radical cations derived from pyridinium (Pyr), anilinium (Anl) and benzonitrilium (Bzn) ions. Three isomers are studied in each case (radical sites at the ortho, meta and para positions). Using a room temperature ion trap, second-order rate coefficients, product branching ratios and reaction efficiencies are reported. </p> </div> </div> </div>

The Contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:19–40) as a Reflection of a Religious-Cultural Threat

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-100
Author(s):  
Nadav Na’aman
Keyword(s):  
Persian Period ◽  
Absolute Power ◽  
Divine Power ◽  
Single Author ◽  
Cultural Threat ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Story Cycle ◽  
1 Kings

Abstract The article suggests that the story of the contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kgs 18:19–40) is a complete literary unit that was written by a single author in the early Persian period and inserted into the deuteronomistic story-cycle of Elijah. The story is entirely legendary and reflects the polemic of a devotee of YHWH against the contemporaneous spread of the Phoenician cult and culture. The attachment of the story to Mount Carmel may reflect the occasion of the establishment of a Tyrian/Sidonian temple on one of the mountain’s peaks, but this hypothesis cannot be verified. The story conveys a clear religious message of the absolute power of YHWH and the worthlessness of all other gods – in particular the Phoenician God Ba‘al – and of the fallacy of the belief in his divine power.

The Literary and Ideological Character of the Letters in Ezra 4–7

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Grätz
Keyword(s):  
Persian Period ◽  
Jerusalem Temple ◽  
Biblical Texts

At first glance, the Aramaic letters embedded in the biblical book of Ezra look like authentic documents issued in favour of the Judaeans by the Achaemenid chanceries. This chapter shows that the letters display formulaic and stylistic features differing from authentic imperial Persian royal correspondence, that the contents of these letters are influenced by other biblical texts, chiefly Deutero-Isaiah and the books of Chronicles, and that the image of the king in these letters comprises aspects of the euergetism characteristic of Hellenistic monarchs. Grätz therefore suggests that the letters in Ezra 4–7 are fictitious and serve certain literary and ideological purposes: they present the Persian period as a time of divinely monitored reconstruction after the exile, and they emphasize God’s lasting election of Judah and the Jerusalem temple. The deployment of letters for such purposes can be compared with similar practices in Hellenistic historiography.

Ezekiel in Its Historical Context

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marvin A. Sweeney
Keyword(s):  
Political History ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Persian Period ◽  
Proper Interpretation

This chapter surveys the historical background for the composition of the book of Ezekiel, covering roughly three centuries—from the reign of Hezekiah until the early Persian period. This background is essential to the book’s proper interpretation, given one of its most characteristic and prevalent features: oracles that are dated. The present chapter not only recounts the rise and fall of successive Assyrian and Babylonian empires, but also shows how the book has addressed the context of that evolving environment. The book’s explicit chronology thus ties this political history to the experience of the Judean exiles in Babylon.

scholarly journals Chemical stability of oil-infused polyethylene

2020 ◽  
pp. 088532822097735
Author(s):  
Fedra P Zaribaf ◽  
Harinderjit S Gill ◽  
Elise C Pegg
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Chemical Stability ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Oxidation Stability ◽  
Thermal Ageing ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Mechanical Degradation ◽  
Suitable Material ◽  
Thermally Treated

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) can be made radiopaque for medical imaging applications through the diffusion of an iodised oil-based contrast agent (Lipiodol Ultra Fluid). A similar process is used for Vitamin E incorporated polyethylene which provides antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the critical long-term properties of oil-infused medical polyethylene after 4 weeks of accelerated thermal ageing. Samples treated with an oil (Vitamin E or Lipiodol) had a higher oxidation stability than currently used medical grade polyethylene, indicated by a smaller increase in oxidation index after ageing (Vitamin E + 36%, Lipiodol +40%, Untreated +136%, Thermally treated +164%). The tensile properties of oil treated polyethylene after ageing were significantly higher than the Untreated and Thermally treated controls (p<0.05) indicating less mechanical degradation. There was also no alteration in the percentage crystallinity of oil treated samples after ageing, though the radiopacity of the Lipiodol treated samples reduced by 54% after ageing. The leaching of oil with time was also investigated; the leaching of Lipiodol and Vitamin E followed the same trend and reached a steady state by two weeks. Overall, it can be concluded that the diffusion of an oil-based fluid into polyethylene not only increases the oxidative and chemical stability of polyethylene but also adds additional functionality (e.g. radiopacity) providing a more suitable material for long–term medical applications.

scholarly journals Combining paid work and family care for a patient at the end of life at home: insights from a qualitative study among caregivers in the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Femmy M. Bijnsdorp ◽  
Bregje D. Onwuteaka-Philipsen ◽  
Cécile R.L. Boot ◽  
Allard J. van der Beek ◽  
Hanna T. Klop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Family Care ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Paid Work ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Care Situation ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background Population ageing, an emphasis on home-based care of palliative patients and policies aimed at prolonging participation in the labour market are placing a growing demand on working family caregivers. This study aimed to provide insight into experiences with combining paid work and family care for patients at the end of life, factors facilitating and hindering this combination, and support needs. Method Semi-structured interviews were held between July 2018 and July 2019 with 18 working family caregivers of patients with a life-threatening illness who were living at home. Transcripts were analysed following the principles of thematic analysis. Results Some family caregivers could combine paid work and family care successfully, while this combination was burdensome for others. Family caregivers generally experienced a similar process in which four domains — caregiver characteristics, the care situation, the work situation and the context — influenced their experiences, feelings and needs regarding either the combination of paid work and care or the care situation in itself. In turn, experiences, feelings and needs sometimes affected health and wellbeing, or prompted caregivers to take actions or strategies to improve the situation. Changes in health and wellbeing could affect the situation in the four domains. Good health, flexibility and support at work, support from healthcare professionals and sharing care tasks were important in helping balance work and care responsibilities. Some caregivers felt ‘sandwiched’ between work and care and reported physical or mental health complaints. Conclusions Experiences with combining paid work and family care at the end of life are diverse and depend on several factors. If too many factors are out of balance, family caregivers experience stress and this impacts their health and wellbeing. Family caregivers could be better supported in this by healthcare professionals, employers and local authorities.

scholarly journals The yield and usefulness of PAIN+ and PubMed databases for accessing research evidence on pain management: a randomized crossover trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanitha Arumugam ◽  
Joy C. MacDermid ◽  
Dave Walton ◽  
Ruby Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Search Engine ◽  
Crossover Trial ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Clinical Question ◽  
Current Clinical Practice ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Randomized Crossover Trial

Abstract Introduction PAIN+ and PubMed are two electronic databases with two different mechanisms of evidence retrieval. PubMed is used to “Pull” evidence where clinicians can enter search terms to find answers while PAIN+ is a newly developed evidence repository where along with “Pull” service there is a “Push” service that alerts users about new research and the associated quality ratings, based on the individual preferences for content and altering criteria. Purpose The primary purpose of the study was to compare yield and usefulness of PubMed and PAIN+ in retrieving evidence to address clinical research questions on pain management. The secondary purpose of the study was to identify what search terms and methods were used by clinicians to target pain research. Study design Two-phase double blinded randomized crossover trial. Methods Clinicians (n = 76) who were exposed to PAIN+ for at least 1 year took part in this study. Participants were required to search for evidence 2 clinical question scenarios independently. The first clinical question was provided to all participants and thus, was multi-disciplinary. Participants were randomly assigned to search for evidence on their clinical question using either PAIN+ or PubMed through the electronic interface. Upon completion of the search with one search engine, they were crossed over to the other search engine. A similar process was done for a second scenario that was discipline-specific. The yield was calculated using number of retrieved articles presented to participants and usefulness was evaluated using a series of Likert scale questions embedded in the testing. Results Multidisciplinary scenario: Overall, the participants had an overall one-page yield of 715 articles for PAIN+ and 1135 articles for PubMed. The topmost article retrieved by PAIN+ was rated as more useful (p = 0.001). While, the topmost article retrieved by PubMed was rated as consistent with current clinical practice (p = 0.02). PubMed (48%) was preferred over PAIN+ (39%) to perform multidisciplinary search (p = 0.02). Discipline specific scenario: The participants had an overall one-page yield of 1046 articles for PAIN+ and 1398 articles for PubMed. The topmost article retrieved by PAIN+ was rated as more useful (p = 0.001) and consistent with current clinical practice (p = 0.02) than the articles retrieved by PubMed. PAIN+ (52%) was preferred over PubMed (29%) to perform discipline specific search. Conclusion Clinicians from different disciplines find both PAIN+ and PubMed useful for retrieving research studies to address clinical questions about pain management. Greater preferences and perceived usefulness of the top 3 retrieved papers was observed for PAIN+, but other dimensions of usefulness did not consistently favor either search engine. Trial registration Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01348802, Date: May 5, 2011.

scholarly journals Computation of distribution of relaxation times by Tikhonov regularization for Li ion batteries: usage of L-curve method

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Paul ◽  
P. W. Chi ◽  
Phillip M. Wu ◽  
M. K. Wu
Keyword(s):  
Tikhonov Regularization ◽  
Relaxation Times ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Fredholm Integral Equations ◽  
Li Ion Batteries ◽  
Impedance Data ◽  
Curve Method ◽  
Li Ion ◽  
Process Detection

AbstractIn this paper, the distribution of relaxation times (DRTs) functions are calculated numerically in Matlab for synthetic impedance data from single parallel $$RC$$ RC circuit and two parallel $$RC$$ RC circuits connected in series, experimental impedance data from supercapacitors and α-LiFeO2 anode based Li ion batteries. The quality of the impedance data is checked with the Kramers–Krönig (KK) relations. The DRTs are calculated within the KK compatible regime for all the systems using Tikhonov regularization (TR) method. Here we use a fast and simple L-curve method to estimate the TR parameter (λ) for regularization of the Fredholm integral equations of first kind in impedance. Estimation of the regularization parameters are performed effectively from the offset of the global corner of the L-curve rather than simply using the global corner. The physical significances of DRT peaks are also discussed by calculating the effective resistances and capacitances coupled with peak fitting program. For instance, two peaks in the DRTs justify the electrical double layer capacitance and ion diffusion phenomena for supercapacitors in low to intermediate frequencies respectively. Moreover, the surface film effect, Li/electrolyte and electrode/electrolyte charge transfer related processes are identified for α-LiFeO2 anode based Li-ion batteries. This estimation of the offset of the global corner extends the L-curve approach coupled with the Tikhonov regularization in the field of electrochemistry and can also be applied in similar process detection methods.

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