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The consequences of short‐term disuse are well known, but effective countermeasures remain elusive. This study investigated the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) during 5 days of bed rest on retaining lower limb muscle mass and muscle function in healthy young and old participants. One leg received NMES of the quadriceps muscle (3 × 30min/day) (NMES), and the other served as a control (CON). Isometric quadriceps strength (MVC), rate of force development (RFD), lower limb lean mass, and muscle thickness were assessed pre‐and post‐intervention. Muscle thickness remained unaltered with NMES in young and increased in old following bed rest, while it decreased in CON legs. In old participants, mid‐thigh lean mass (MTLM) was preserved with NMES while decreased in CON legs. In the young, only a tendency to change with bed rest was detected for MTLM. MVC and early‐phase RFD decreased in young and old, irrespective of NMES. In contrast, late‐phase RFD was retained in young participants with NMES, while it decreased in young CON legs, and in the old, irrespective of NMES. NMES during short‐term bed rest preserved muscle thickness but not maximal muscle strength. While young and old adults demonstrated similar adaptive responses in preventing the loss of skeletal muscle thickness, RFD was retained in the young only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: What are the main findings? The effect of resting time on asphalt adhesion was most pronounced in comparison to temperature and spalling agent dosage. What is the implication of the main finding? A combined micro- and macro-scale investigation was conducted to ascertain the impact of varying static conditions on the tensile properties of asphalt concrete. This study addresses the issue of construction stagnation affecting the adhesion and tensile properties of hydraulic asphalt concrete with acid aggregate. It investigates the impact of rest periods on the tensile characteristics of such materials under standard construction conditions. The influence of varying rest durations and asphalt temperatures on the tensile behavior of the concrete is assessed through indoor experiments. The bonding between asphalt and aggregate is examined, along with the tensile property variations of the concrete. The study found that the standstill time significantly affects the adhesion of asphalt, with the adhesion decreasing progressively with increased temperature and rest time, irrespective of the addition of anti-stripping agents. However, the inclusion of these agents can mitigate the reduction in adhesion. Furthermore, the study identified that rest duration has a more substantial impact on adhesion than temperature. The splitting tests demonstrate that the tensile properties of asphalt concrete are considerably affected by the resting time. Over a period of 0, 10, 20, and 30 days of rest, an increase in splitting strength and a decrease in splitting displacement were observed. The findings offer valuable insights for predicting the tensile performance of asphalt concrete in practical engineering applications after a period of rest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homing abilities of lizards after experimental dislocations have been found to be well developed in several species. Following our preliminary findings in Podarcis siculus, the present paper reports a new series of experiments on homing performances and initial orientation behaviour upon release. For this purpose, three series of releases were performed at increasing distances from the home areas in which the lizards were captured (range 85–245 m). In each series, two groups of lizards were released: the route-based visual cues during displacement were denied to one of them (NVIS), but allowed for the other (YVIS). The results of initial orientation showed that both are significantly homeward oriented at all three distances tested. Male and female YVIS and female NVIS are similarly homeward oriented, while the male NVIS are not. All 74 lizards successfully returned to their respective home areas. Eleven lizards homed on the same day they were released, while most of them homed during the 1st day after release (n = 51) and the rest on the 2nd day (n = 12). The different transport treatments did not influence homing success at the different distances tested. These results seem to support the use of a geocentric pilotage strategy to re-enter home from the release spot. Alternatively, the possibility that P. siculus use a sun compass and a mosaic map to find their way home is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examined the marriage procedures prevalent in Mainz and other places in eleventh century Ashkenaz. Marriages took place on the Sabbath, as in Christian society, where weddings were held on holidays and days of rest. The ketubah was written on Friday in order to prepare for the wedding. Marriage during this period was not a symbolic ritual but a tangible act of sexual intercourse. Accordingly, a festive meal was held during which the couple consummated the marriage. Since the betrothal took place in a limited social circle, the betrothal blessing was recited toward the end of the Sabbath in the framework of a public, festive ceremony. After verification of the bride's virginity, which meant she was eligible to receive the ketubah , the marriage blessings were recited on Saturday night and the ketubah became legally binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Levodopa is the gold standard of treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Its clinical effect changes as the disease progresses. Wearing off is a frequent first manifestation of motor fluctuations. Some patients with advanced PD report faster wearing off after physical exercise. Objective: The aim was to assess if pharmacokinetics of levodopa is influenced by physical exercise in patients with different disease advancement. Methods: 22 patients with PD (12 untreated with levodopa and 10 with motor fluctuations) and 7 healthy controls (HC) were included. Plasma samples were collected at 9 fixed timepoints following administration of levodopa/benserazide 200/50 mg for two days: rest day and standardized physical exercise day. Clinical assessment with Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III) was performed in fixed timepoints. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure levodopa concentrations. Results: No differences between the HC, levodopa naïve and advanced PD groups were observed regarding selected pharmacokinetic parameters. In advanced PD and HC no differences in pharmacokinetic parameters of levodopa with and without effort were observed. In levodopa naïve PD group higher mean residence time after rest than after exercise (168.9±48.3 min vs. 145.5±50.8 min; p = 0.026) was observed. In advanced PD group higher UPDRS III score (14.45±5.5 versus 20.9±6.1 points, p = 0.04) was observed after exercise. Conclusions: The deterioration of motor status of advanced PD patients after physical effort is not reflected by changes in pharmacokinetics but rather mediated by central mechanisms. Plain Language Summary: Background: Levodopa is an important treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). As the disease gets worse, levodopa's effects change. A common problem is "wearing off," where the medicine stops working sooner than expected. Some advanced PD patients say this happens faster after they exercise. Study goals: The study aimed to find out if exercise changes how the body processes levodopa in patients at different stages of PD. Methods: Participants: 22 PD patients (12 not yet on levodopa and 10 advanced patients- treated with levodopa with "wearing off") and 7 healthy people. Procedure: Participants took levodopa/benserazide (200/50 mg) on two days: a rest day and an exercise day. Each day blood samples were collected at 9 set times to measure levodopa levels. PD symptoms were assessed using a scale called UPDRS III at specific times. Testing: Levodopa levels in blood were measured using a technique called liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: No differences: There were no differences in how the body processed levodopa among healthy people, untreated PD patients, and advanced PD patients. Exercise impact: For both healthy people and advanced PD patients, exercise did not change how the body processed levodopa. Untreated patients: In PD patients not yet on levodopa, the medicine stayed in the body longer after rest compared to after exercise. Advanced PD patients: These patients had worse PD symptoms after exercise, but this was not due to changes in how levodopa was processed. Conclusion: The worsening of symptoms in advanced PD patients after exercise is not because of changes in levodopa levels. It likely involves other factors in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is clear that medieval Jews employed Christian wet nurses, as well as other Christian domestic servants, and that ecclesiastical condemnations did not prevail against social and economic interests. In Etsi Judeos Pope Innocent III, who had earlier complained loudly that Jews across France are unscrupulous usurers, thieves, blasphemers, and secret murderers of Christians, added the unsubstantiated complaint that "on the day of the Lord's Resurrection," i.e., Easter, after they have received the Eucharist, "the Jews make these women," that is, Christian wet nurses, "pour their milk into the latrine for three days before they again give suck to the children." This paper surveys both the ecclesiastical and medical or natural-philosophical sources that contributed to a protracted medieval debate over maternal nursing versus the employment of wet nurses; examines Innocent III's allegation that Jews force their Christian wet nurses to pour out their milk for three days after having received communion, and its novel implications; investigates complaints of cross-confessional nursing (whether of Christians nursing Jewish infants, or Jewish or Muslim wet nurses in Christian households); and explores a shift in later medieval and early modern Christian texts away from concerns over Christian wet nurses caring for Jewish infants toward racialized fears of Jewish women nursing Christian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phrase ‮ ממולח טוהר ‬‎ appears four times in the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice, describing the firmament and the angels' garments. John Strugnell, followed by most scholars, proposed that the phrase be understood as "purely blended." An examination of the context in which the phrase appears in the Songs supports the possibility that its use began as a reference to the brightness of the firmament and was then extended to apply to the angels' garments. Our review of the semantic field of the four roots common to the descriptions of the preparation of the incense, the garments, and the firmament—‮ דק״ק ‬‎, ‮ מל״ח ‬‎, ‮ רק״ע ‬‎, and ‮ שח״ק ‬‎—(a semantic field that was already recognized by the medieval Hebrew grammarians) strengthens the claim of Jean Carmignac, rejected by most scholars, that ‮ ממולח ‬‎ means "thin and fine." In my opinion, the phrase ‮ ממולח טוהר ‬‎ is to be understood as "characterized by a thin, fine brightness." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within Orthodox Jewish early childhood programs, gender roles of the Shabbat Party promote heteronormative gender expectations that contend with values about children, teaching, and Judaism. Interviews with 15 educators suggested tensions between gender flexible attitudes and beliefs that gender unfolds naturally. Pretend play was considered a safe space for challenging gender, regulated by perceived sociocultural and religious boundaries. Conversely, the Shabbat Party roles were rigidly instituted without much examination of their implications for gender and Jewish identity development. While a few dissenting voices revealed an emerging gender consciousness, the ongoing need for dialogue, reflection, and gender flexible practices are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses John Marrant's journal, which provides insight into the challenges faced by Black settlers in Nova Scotia in the late 18th century. It explores the communal aspects of Marrant's journal, highlighting the role of sermons and petitions in expressing the collective experiences and needs of the displaced communities. The article also discusses the slow distribution of land and provisions, the reliance on cheap Black labor, and the general insecurity of life in the colony. Marrant's journal serves as a record of his itinerant ministry, documenting his activities and the locations where he preached. It also discusses the significance of petitions in understanding the experiences of oppressed communities, specifically the Black Loyalist settlers in Nova Scotia, and how they allowed these communities to assert their presence and shape their lives in a new and unwelcoming place. The text concludes by discussing the role of petitions in collective representation and the preservation of the struggles and persistence of displaced communities. [Extracted from the article]

This study investigates the prophetic tradition in Islam, which states that the fabric of time will become erratic with the coming of the Antichrist. The temporal ontology of one of the most influential philosophical thinkers in the Islamic tradition, Muḥyī al-Dīn ibn 'Arabī (d. 638/1240), is employed to decode the tradition and expatiate on the nature of time and how it will manifest in the apocalyptic future. Ibn 'Arabī explains that there are three modalities of temporal reality: 'the day of rest' (yawm al-sabt), 'the omitted days' (ayyām al-salkh), and the 'rotary days' (ayyām al-takwīr). While the first is entirely beyond human perception, the others are not. These three types of days delineate the nature of the future during the apocalyptic days of the Antichrist when the first day of his emergence will be the length of a year, the second a month, and the third a week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Presenteeism refers to being present at work but experiencing reduced productivity due to health problems, and has been known to be related to sleep loss. Workers commonly sleep longer on days off than on workdays, and presenteeism may be reduced with extended sleep on days off. Aims This study aimed to determine the association between sleep duration both on workdays and days off and presenteeism. Methods The participants were 1967 workers who engaged in work for 5 days and rested for 2 days weekly. Sleep duration was classified into less than 6 hours (short; S), 6–8 hours (medium; M), and 9 hours or longer (long; L), for workdays and days off, respectively. Presenteeism was assessed using the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire. Results On both workdays and days off, compared to medium sleep duration, short sleep duration was significantly associated with increased odds of presenteeism. The odds of presenteeism were significantly increased for S-S (odds ratio [OR] 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.40–3.37), S-M (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.14–2.22), S-L (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.05–7.00), and M-S (OR 6.82, 95% CI 2.71–17.17) combined sleep duration for workdays and days off, respectively, compared to an M-M (reference). Conclusions Sleep loss on workdays cannot be compensated for with longer sleep on days off. This study suggests that sufficient sleep duration on both workdays and days off is important for reducing presenteeism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the theme of divine kingship in the context of counseling ministry. It traces the development of the kingship motif in the Old Testament, highlighting the promise of a forever-human king in the line of David. The article emphasizes the counseling applications of God as king, discussing how counselors can recognize their dependence on Christ's power and persevere in love and compassion. It also discusses how Christ's kingship can shape a counselee's perspective and actions, motivate obedience, and inspire reverence for God. Ultimately, Christ's kingship offers believers protection, guidance, and the assurance of a glorious future. [Extracted from the article]

Classical rabbinic literature is intensely material, as it invokes numerous objects on seemingly every page. Through the earliest rabbinic discussions on kindling Sabbath lights (M. Shabbat 2), this paper explores new pathways into rabbinic materiality or "talmudic archaeology." Whereas texts can promote a narrow focus on unique or exceptional objects, I argue that they could also provide a promontory to help us see more typical and widely used artifacts, which nets a broader understanding of the material culture that was more likely to be known by most people in Roman Galilee, including rabbis. The "Palestinian Discus Lamp" was the lighting device of choice for most people in the place and time when the Mishnah took shape. Its popularity, I argue, demonstrates the importance of design and practical use, functional aspects that have received insufficient attention. This paper contributes to rabbinics, late antique Judaism, and Jewish material culture studies, while building bridges to design theory, economics, and material religion. Classical rabbinic literature is intensely material, as it invokes numerous objects on seemingly every page. Through the earliest rabbinic discussions on kindling Sabbath lights (M. Shabbat 2), this paper explores new pathways into rabbinic materiality or "talmudic archaeology." Whereas texts can promote a narrow focus on unique or exceptional objects, I argue that they could also provide a promontory to help us see more typical and widely used artifacts, which nets a broader understanding of the material culture that was more likely to be known by most people in Roman Galilee, including rabbis. The "Palestinian Discus Lamp" was the lighting device of choice for most people in the place and time when the Mishnah took shape. Its popularity, I argue, demonstrates the importance of design and practical use, functional aspects that have received insufficient attention. This paper contributes to rabbinics, late antique Judaism, and Jewish material culture, while building bridges to design theory, economics, and material religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work evaluates the effectiveness of various consolidating treatments applied to Pugliese tuff (Gravina Calcarenite). This type of stone has been used in numerous historic buildings in the Puglia area (southeast of Italy), which presents durability problems due to high porosity, low cohesion between clasts, and low mechanical resistance. Eco-friendly treatments that generate CaCO3 have been selected, specifically bioconsolidant KBYO biological and lime water, which a priori are capable of consolidating without occluding the pores or reducing them excessively, thereby creating compounds similar to those contained in the stone and being respectful of the environment. Nano-sized treatments have also been tested, including nanosilica and nanolime, to compare results with eco-friendly treatments. The bioconsolidating treatment has been applied in two different ways, the usual way consisting of two applications a day for 7 days, as well as a double treatment that is applied in two batches of 7 days with a rest of 7 days between applications. Double treatment has shown a great improvement in consolidation compared to the usual 7-day application; this treatment has obtained the best results in both mechanical and petrophysical properties. This study not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the bioconsolidant but also expands eco-friendly conservation strategies to improve the preservation of historical structures built in calcarenite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holiness can be analysed in terms of three frameworks: as a real property of sacred persons, places, things, and times; as an ascription of a special status, especially that of ownership by or proximity to God; and as a project of spiritual and ethical striving. The Bible exemplifies each of these approaches, endowing Judaism with a complex teaching as to the nature of holiness. Although an ontological sense of holiness persists, Judaism comes increasingly to emphasize spiritual and moral self-transformation as the essence of holiness.

Aim: Altered mitochondrial function across various tissues is a key determinant of spaceflight‐induced physical deconditioning. In comparison to tissue biopsies, blood cell bioenergetics holds promise as a systemic and more readily accessible biomarker, which was evaluated during head‐down tilt bed rest (HDTBR), an established ground‐based analog for spaceflight‐induced physiological changes in humans. More specifically, this study explored the effects of HDTBR and an exercise countermeasure on mitochondrial respiration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: We subjected 24 healthy participants to a strict 30‐day HDTBR protocol. The control group (n = 12) underwent HDTBR only, while the countermeasure group (n = 12) engaged in regular supine cycling exercise followed by veno‐occlusive thigh cuffs post‐exercise for 6 h. We assessed routine blood parameters 14 days before bed rest, the respiratory capacity of PBMCs via high‐resolution respirometry, and citrate synthase activity 2 days before and at day 30 of bed rest. We confirmed PBMC composition by flow cytometry. Results: The change of the PBMC maximal oxidative phosphorylation capacity (OXPHOS) amounted to an 11% increase in the countermeasure group, while it decreased by 10% in the control group (p = 0.04). The limitation of OXPHOS increased in control only while other respiratory states were not affected by either intervention. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between white blood cells, lymphocytes, and basophils with PBMC bioenergetics in both groups. Conclusion: This study reveals that a regular exercise countermeasure has a positive impact on PBMC mitochondrial function, confirming the potential application of blood cell bioenergetics for human spaceflight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time is ripe for a fuller exploration of Sabbath within the field of Christian spirituality studies. Sabbath bears on several topics important to this field, including prayer, liturgy, time, justice, work, ecology, and interreligious dialogue. While many aspects of Sabbath are relevant to spirituality studies, this essay addresses contemplative dimensions of Sabbath and the potential for deepening more communal understandings of contemplation in dialogue with Jewish thought and practice. The consideration of contemplative dimensions of Sabbath unfolds in three movements: lingering, seeing , and stilling. It ends with a note about the eschatological dimension of Sabbath. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between the mid-fifteenth and late seventeenth centuries, Europe saw a flurry of demonological texts by theologians and jurists, outlining the beliefs, theology and prosecution methods for accused witches at the peak of the European witch craze. While these texts have been at the heart of many examinations of the history of early modern witchcraft for their presentation of magical belief, demonologies also provide vital windows into early modern concepts of space and landscape. By examining demonologies for their discussions of the sites of the witches' sabbath, patterns emerge in the relationship between marginal spaces and fantasies of the sabbath. Spaces at the margins of the early modern world became the settings of imaginary gatherings of witches and demons, where the anxieties of the authors and the common people at the heart of their narratives could manifest and build upon one another across centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the Puritan approach to training ministers in the 16th century, emphasizing the need for a godly and competent ministry. The Puritans utilized strategies such as prophesying exercises, formal education at universities, and personal influences to produce a learned and godly ministry. Prominent figures like Laurence Chaderton and Richard Greenham played significant roles in training ministers during this time. The article suggests several applications for modern-day churches, including combining seminary education with practical experience, mentorship programs, preaching workshops, and support groups for ministers. The goal is to develop a new generation of effective preachers and shepherds while fostering a culture of godliness and learning in ministry. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the historical and theological assessments of the Puritan Sabbath, challenging the commonly held critical view. It argues that the controversy surrounding the Puritan Sabbath was driven by political and pragmatic considerations rather than theological or historical concerns. The article also highlights the differences between the Puritans and the Anglican Establishmentarians, who had differing views on the Sabbath and church authority. Despite facing opposition and persecution, the Puritans defended their Sabbath doctrine with biblical and theological arguments, showcasing their courage and clarity. [Extracted from the article]

This sermon titled "Anger That Kills" explores the question of what leads people to murder and provides an answer based on Jesus' teachings. It emphasizes that murder stems from angry and unreconciled hearts and discusses the broader context of Christ's Sermon on the Mount and the righteousness required by disciples. The text delves into the deeper meaning of the sixth commandment, which prohibits murder, and argues that it extends to the intentions and attitudes of the heart. It addresses the different forms of anger, provides guidance on how to deal with anger within the church community, and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and love in relation to the commandment. The text concludes by highlighting the need for reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ and the importance of relying on Christ's strength to overcome anger and live in reconciliation. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Physical exercise provides multiple benefits to an individual. Previous studies shows that reaction time was significantly lower after performance of exercise. Aims and Objective -The aim of this study is to compare Reaction Time both ART+VRT between healthy adolescents, performing daily physical exercise and not performing any exercise. Material and Method: -100 healthy adolescent subjects of age group 18 - 25 years were participated in the study out which 18 subjects were excluded due to illness or some other reasons, so the sample size was 82 out of which 41 subjects were those who performs any kind of exercise daily for at least more than 30 mins/day and rest 41 subjects were not performing any exercise as their routine activity. Their reaction time {both ART+VRT} were taken with the help of reaction time apparatus and there mean reaction time was compared. Result -'t test' for equality of means was applied for VRT and ART which shows that result was significantwith p value < 0.05. Thus person who perform any kind of physical activities or exercise has better reaction time than those who have sedentary lifestyle. Conclusion: Present study suggests that exercise is beneficial to people in their daily lives because it influences reaction time abilities.A short course of any type of exercise has a beneficial effect on the reaction time and it can be used as a tool for improving the reaction time. Physical exercise affects brain plasticity, influencing cognition and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theological analysis of the most popular worship song lyrics reflects that American Christians may be singing the American work ethic to the God who rested. Employing Brueggeman's Sabbath as Resistance and Heschel's The Sabbath alongside current discussions in evangelical liturgical studies, this article seeks to answer the following: 1) do the current most utilized congregational songs in America reveal a God who rests, and 2) what lyrical or musical possibilities exist to embody a theology of Sabbath rest. This analysis highlights liturgical and theological dissonance, while exploring musical and lyrical models that display a God who rests in an overworked culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The word "blessing" which first appears in the Bible is when Elohim blesses the creatures He created to reproduce and multiply in water and the air (Genesis 1:22). Elohim blessed humans to rule over nature and all creation (Genesis 1:28). Elohim blessed the Sabbath (Genesis 2: 3), he blessed people like Abraham (Genesis 12: 2-3; 18:18), Jacob (Genesis 28:14). Through Abraham, Elohim blesses his descendants and the nations. Blessings become 'human life' (Genesis 1:28). This research seeks to answer the questions: How does The Pentateuch speak of Elohim's Promise as a source of blessings? How does The Pentateuch speak of the authority of blessings? How does The Pentateuch speak of the purpose of a blessing? What about The Pentateuch is special? Talking about forms of blessing? How does The Pentateuch speak of the qualifications for blessings?. The results of Elohim's blessings can be divided into three major groups: (1) spiritual blessings are blessings related to powers that are beyond human strength, such as the blessing of salvation and the blessing of peace. (2) physical blessings are blessings that include physical needs (clothing, food, shelter, and health), such as blessings of long life, blessings of salvation, blessings of peace, blessings of flesh (blessings of long life, blessings of radiant faces), blessings of offspring, thanks to protection, thanks to wealth, thanks to prosperity, thanks to health, and thanks to honor. (3) The Blessing of Faith is a blessing given by Elohim because of his faith (belief; commitment), such as the blessing of obedience, the blessing of loving Elohim, the blessing of worshiping Elohim, and the blessing of influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yeshua ben Yehuda, a Jerusalem Karaite scholar of the eleventh century, included many quotations from rabbinic literature in his Judeo-Arabic commentaries on the Torah. While most of these quotations are drawn from well-known compositions, some were quoted from treatises that are no longer extant, first and foremost Sifre Zuṭa on Deuteronomy. In this paper we focus on Yeshua's quotations from the Mekhilta of Rabbi Shimon ben Yoḥai (Mekhilta de-Rashbi), for which we do not have complete documentation, and we discuss the contribution of these quotations to the study of this Mekhilta and its language. Portions of Yeshua's short and long commentaries on Exodus were preserved in many manuscripts. For this project we studied about forty-five manuscripts of Yeshua's commentaries, many of which were fragmentary with pages incorrectly ordered. In twentyone of these manuscripts, we found a total of sixty-three quotations from the Mekhilta de-Rashbi. Two editions of the Mekhilta de-Rashbi have been published so far. David Zvi Hoffmann's 1905 edition was based mainly on Midrash Hagadol, while Jacob Nahum Epstein and Ezra Zion Melamed's 1955 edition was based to a large extent on Geniza fragments. Further differences between the two editions are due to Hoffmann's tendency to include sections from Midrash Hagadol whose origin could in fact be the Mishna or the Talmud, while Melamed refrained from doing so. Now, on the basis of the quotations preserved in Yeshua ben Yehuda's writings, we can confirm that Hoffmann's approach was sometimes correct. For example, in his edition Melamed did not include the many homilies on the Sabbath in the Mekhilta de-Rashbi commentary on Torah sections ki-tissa - vayaqhel, as he attributed them to the Mekhilta of Rabbi Yishmael. Now, however, we can establish that they are indeed an integral part of the Mekhilta de-Rashbi as surmised by Hoffmann. Quotations embedded in Yeshua's writings enable us to reconstruct several new paragraphs of the Mekhilta de-Rashbi that were not preserved either in Midrash Hagadol nor in Geniza fragments. With the help of other quotations, we can prove that some uncertain reconstructions of Mekhilta de-Rashbi homilies, which are preserved only in Midrash Hagadol, were in fact correct, while others were incorrect and the sources of Midrash Hagadol in those cases were the Babylonian Talmud or Maimonides. Moreover, Yeshua's quotations occasionally preserved a more reliable version of the Mekhilta de-Rashbi than the versions preserved in Geniza fragments and in Midrash Hagadol. The quotations from the Mekhilta de-Rashbi embedded in Yeshua ben Yehuda's writings reflect many linguistic features of Rabbinic Hebrew known to us from the most reliable manuscripts of rabbinic literature. These linguistic features, including orthography, phonology, verb and noun morphology, and syntax, further testify to the reliability of the transmission by Yeshua. The phonological characteristics of these quotations reflect a variety of pronunciation traditions of Mishnaic Hebrew. The vocalized manuscripts reflect some of the salient characteristics of the Palestinian pronunciation tradition of Mishnaic Hebrew alongside traits reflecting its Babylonian pronunciation tradition. The coexistence of these linguistic features points to a complex linguistic reality in eleventh century Jerusalem, where Yeshua lived and worked, indicating that multiple traditions were preserved there simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medieval sages invested much effort in clarifying the correct text of the Babylonian Talmud and other works of Rabbinic literature. Often, they did not reveal their thought processes or document the way they determined the correct reading. However, occasionally they do present different possible versions of a passage and explain the considerations that led them to determine which of them is correct. This article discusses two examples of the latter type of textual clarification, but which have become completely corrupted. One discussion addresses the clarification of the text of a complicated passage from the Palestinian Talmud about a very sensitive topic: under what conditions may a husband divorce his wife if she has gone insane. The second discussion is about the text of a Mekhilta passage about the prohibition of instructing a non-Jew to perform labor for a Jew on the Sabbath. Determining the correct text of this passage has significant halakhic ramifications. Both of the texts discussed in this article contain recurring phrases, causing early scribes to err in their copying. The medieval sages sought to correct these corruptions and wrote extensive explanations of what the correct text should be. However, later scribes who copied these complex textual discussions were sloppy in their work and re-corrupted what the sages sought to correct, making the text nearly incomprehensible. In the appendix to the article is a brief discussion of the use of consistent philological rules by medieval sages, especially the well-known principle of 'omission due to similar ending', or homeoteleuton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sabbath is widely observed differently among Christians, including Pentecostals. Different interpretations of the Sabbath cause this difference. According to Pentecostals, it is necessary to trace the history of the ancient Church to find the meaning of the Sabbath. This article explores Tertullian’s thoughts on the Sabbath before and after joining Montanism. The research method used in this article is descriptive qualitative with a historical approach. The research results show significant differences in Tertullian’s understanding of the Sabbath before and after joining Montanism. Montanism changed Tertullian’s view of the Sabbath in the context of respect and the essence of honouring the Sabbath. However, both of Tertullian’s understandings have contributed to the Pentecostal understanding of the Sabbath. Pentecostals understand the Sabbath as a relationship with Christ that leads to eternity because it has eschatological meaning. Towards eternity, it must be maintained while still in the world. Honouring the Sabbath changed from the seventh day to the eighth day because it aims to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. Intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary implications: The Sabbath is a time of rest and joy associated with Jesus’s Resurrection. The concept of the Sabbath originates from Tertullian’s thoughts before and after joining Montanism, which provides a broad dimension to the theme of the Sabbath in Creation theology. This research has implications for studying the history of Christianity and the concept of the Sabbath in the Pentecostal Church in Indonesia.

Abstract. The Sabbath is a topic that continues to receive attention in Christianity. However, it also becomes a continuing source of debate its practical application. The Sabbath often turns to mere escapism, which is, having time for oneself. Therefore, through an exegetical-expositional method—a thorough analysis of the structure of the Epistle to Hebrews 4—this research presents the biblical basis for entering the Sabbath. The structural analysis in this study showed that the entire letter to Hebrews 4 is an inseparable series. Hebrews 4:1-11 shows that the Sabbath is God's promise that is still progressively valid. Verse 12-13 emphasizes the role of God's word as the basis for entering the resting place, and verse 14-16 suggests the significance of the High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is the intermediary for entering the resting place. With these three biblical foundations, the Sabbath is no longer an escapism but a momentum to entering God’s own rest. Abstrak. Sabat merupakan topik yang terus mendapat perhatian di dalam Kekristenan. Namun, Sabat juga terus menjadi sumber perdebatan pada penerapan praktisnya. Seringkali Sabat juga hanya menjadi sekadar eskapisme, yakni waktu bagi diri sendiri. Karena itu, melalui metode eksegetikal-eksposisional – analisis menyeluruh pada struktur Surat Ibrani 4 – penelitian ini hendak menyajikan landasan biblis untuk memasuki Sabat. Analisis struktur dalam penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa keseluruhan surat Ibrani 4 merupakan rangkaian yang tak terpisahkan. Ibrani 4:1-11 menunjukkan bahwa Sabat sebagai hari perhentian merupakan janji Allah yang masih berlaku secara progresif. Sementara Ibrani 4:12-13 menekankan peran firman Allah sebagai landasan untuk memasuki tempat perhentian, dan Ibrani 4:14-16 mengemukakan mengenai peran Imam Besar yaitu Yesus Kristus yang menjadi pengantara untuk memasuki tempat perhentian. Dengan ketiga landasan biblis ini, maka Sabat tidak lagi sekadar menjadi eskapisme, tetapi menjadi momentum untuk memasuki perhentian Allah sendiri.

The Decalogue (2 Kings 20:1-17), even we may not be aware of it, points out to the rights of the Israelites and today Christians in relation to God and man in other words. Everyone has the right not to be subordinated to another god except for Jehovah, and they must not be forced to misuse His name. A person has a right to a day of rest, and aging parents have a right to respect and care from their adult son. A person has the right to the inviolability and protection of his life, as well as the inviolability of his marriage and the guarantee of the legitimacy of his offspring. A person has the right to the protection of private property and to the truthful testimony of others in court. A man has the right to protect his wife and his property. It is a very important, constantly valid biblical-historical direction, which contains basic rules, given to humanity for a quality and valuable life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older individuals experience cardiovascular dysfunction during extended bedridden hospital or care home stays. Bed rest is also used as a model to simulate accelerated vascular deconditioning occurring during spaceflight. This study investigates changes in retinal microcirculation during a ten-day bed rest protocol. Ten healthy young males (22.9 ± 4.7 years; body mass index: 23.6 ± 2.5 kg·m–2) participated in a strictly controlled repeated-measures bed rest study lasting ten days. High-resolution images were obtained using a hand-held fundus camera at baseline, daily during the 10 days of bed rest, and 1 day after re-ambulation. Retinal vessel analysis was performed using a semi-automated software system to obtain metrics for retinal arteriolar and venular diameters, central retinal artery equivalent and central retinal vein equivalent, respectively. Data analysis employed a mixed linear model. At the end of the bed rest period, a significant decrease in retinal venular diameter was observed, indicated by a significantly lower central retinal vein equivalent (from 226.1 µm, CI 8.90, to 211.4 µm, CI 8.28, p =.026), while no significant changes in central retinal artery equivalent were noted. Prolonged bed rest confinement resulted in a significant (up to 6.5%) reduction in retinal venular diameter. These findings suggest that the changes in retinal venular diameter during bedrest may be attributed to plasma volume losses and reflect overall (cardio)-vascular deconditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper presents a discussion, in honour of the late Ari Hirvonen, of the reality of theatre, the space of the tragic and the ethical condition. It engages critically with Hirvonen's work, as he would demand it, and in doing so it considers the distinctive thinking about theatrical reality in the work of the great Polish artist and theatre director Tadeusz Kantor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires employers to “reasonably accommodate” employees’ religious practices that conflict with work requirements unless doing so would cause undue hardship to their business operations. Can an accommodation be reasonable if it only partially removes the conflict between an employee’s job and their religious beliefs? For instance, if a Christian employee requests Sundays off because he believes working on his Sabbath is a sin, and his employer responds by giving him Sunday mornings off to attend church services but requires him to work in the afternoon, has the employer provided a reasonable accommodation? The federal courts of appeals are divided. For some, the answer is no because the proposed accommodation does not eliminate the conflict; the employee still must choose between his job and his religion—the precise dilemma Title VII seeks to avoid. For others, the answer could be yes. These courts take the view that because the statute requires only “reasonable” accommodation, rather than “full,” “total,” or “complete,” an accommodation that lessens, but does not eliminate, the conflict may nonetheless be reasonable depending on the circumstances. This Article argues that an accommodation is reasonable only if it fully eliminates the conflict between an employee’s job and religion. Several tools of statutory interpretation support this position, including textualism, legislative history, Supreme Court precedent, and agency guidance. Additionally, and perhaps even more importantly, a full-accommodation rule reflects the reality of religious devotion for the millions of American workers who believe in full obedience to the tenets of their faiths. For these individuals, religious observance is not something that can or should be done partway. If an employee believes it is sinful to work on Sundays, the ability to attend church in the morning hardly mitigates the sin of working in the afternoon. Thus, a partial accommodation is not just unreasonable—it is no accommodation at all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberries are a very important economic crop; thus, a lot of research has been conducted on several production areas. However, phenological performance is still lacking information, especially when it comes to modeling. Therefore, this study aims to develop a phenological model for flower–fruit development under hydroponic conditions to support growers' decision-making. Two day-neutral cultivars, 'Albion' and 'San Andreas', were established in a drip hydroponic system in Auburn, Alabama for the 2022–2023 production season. Phenological data were collected daily on 30 flowers per cultivar for three periods (Oct 25–Dec 16, Dec 27–Feb 21, and Feb 28–Apr 16). Weather data were obtained from a weather station placed in the greenhouse. Growing degree days (GDD) accumulation was calculated for each stage and cycle using a base temperature (Tb) of 3 °C. The Gaussian model was adjusted for each stage and cycle using a non-linear procedure to obtain Gaussian curves. Simulations were made for the model assuming temperature would increase or decrease by 1 °C. Six stages were identified, and their cycle ranged from 43–56 days to be accomplished. 'Albion' needed more days to reach maturity, with 51, 56, and 47 days, and 'San Andreas' took 43, 54, and 46 days for cycles 1, 2, and 3 respectively. In addition, for cycles 1 and 2, not all the buds reached maturity, as expected. Stage 5 (fruit formation) needed more days than the rest of the stages to be completed. Because of the different starting dates for each cycle, the starting GDD was different as well. A sensitivity analysis simulation of the model showed that if temperature decreases by 1 °C, the GDD accumulated to complete the stages would be less (same dates), and it would be more if the temperature increased by 1 °C. The opposite happened with the days, if the temperature increased by 1 °C, the duration of the stage decreased, and it would increase if the temperature decreased by 1 °C, affecting stages 4, 5, and 6. Overall, 'San Andreas' performed better than 'Albion' under hydroponic conditions during three productive cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the rice seed is a fundamental factor that must be considered in any agricultural production program. The objective was to evaluate the physiological quality of the seed of four new rice lines by descriptive and analytical methods, for which a completely randomized design with three repetitions was used and two trials were carried out, the first consisted of a standard germination test where the number of normal and abnormal seedlings, coleoptile and radicle length, and vigor index were determined. In the second trial, seed emergence counts were carried out for ten days and the emergence speed index, the total emergence percentage and the germination speed coefficient were determined. The results showed that Lines 3, 4 and INCA LP-5 were the genotypes with the best performance in the germination percentage; Line 2 and INCA LP-7 with the highest percentage of normal seedlings and the control INCA LP-5, followed by Line 2, with significant differences between them, the best in vigor index and radicle length. The control INCA LP-5 achieved 50 % of emerged seeds at 7 days and the rest of the genotypes accomplish to exceed that value between days 9 and 11. INCA LP-5 statistically surpassed all genotypes in the characters speed index emergence, emergence percentage and germination speed coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]