Exegeting Scripture, Exegeting Culture: Combining Exegesis to Fulfill God\u27s Calling

Seminary has separated biblical exegesis from cultural exegesis, teaching them in different programs and seldom requiring them for those ...we need both – they are mutually building and supporting entities that only make sense when combined with the other. As teachers, preachers, and leaders of God’s Church, it is essential that we learn how to combine these two exegetical processes in order to faithfully live out our calling in God’s kingdom. Thus, we must study both biblical and cultural exegesis and learn how to combine the two; for one without the other is knowledge, but combined they form knowledge with the wisdom of how to apply that knowledge. While this seems like a Herculean task, it has been accomplished by many in the history of the Church, often when they did not even know they were doing so. One such previous leader and teacher in the Church is Bishop J. E. Lesslie Newbigin, who’s exegetical life made him a renowned name in his own day and continues to challenge us to “do likewise” in our lives

Sex differences in muscle morphology of the knee flexors and knee extensors

Introduction Females experience higher risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries; males experience higher risk of hamstring strain injuries. Differences in injury may be partially due to sex differences in knee flexor (KF) to knee extensor (KE) muscle size ratio and the proportional size of constituent muscles. Purpose To compare the absolute and proportional size, and mass distribution, of individual KE and KF muscles, as well as overall size and balance (size ratio) of these muscle groups between the sexes. Methods T1-weighted axial plane MR images (1.5T) of healthy untrained young males and females (32 vs 34) were acquired to determine thigh muscle anatomical cross-sectional area(ACSA). Maximal ACSA (ACSAmax) ofconstituent muscles, summated for KF and KE muscle groups, and the KF:KE ratio were calculated. Results Females had 25.3% smaller KE ACSAmax (70.9±12.1 vs 93.6±10.3 cm2; P<0.001) and 29.6% smaller KF ACSAmax than males (38.8±7.3cm2 vs 55.1±7.3cm2; P<0.001).Consequently, females had lower KF:KE ACSA ratio (P = 0.031). There were sex differences in the proportional size of 2/4 KE and 5/6 KF. In females, vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris long-head (BFlh) and semimembranosus (SM) were a greater proportion and sartorius(SA), gracilis (GR) and biceps femoris short-head (BFsh) a smaller proportion of their respective muscle groups compared to males (All P<0.05). Conclusion Sex differences in KF:KE ACSAmax ratio may contribute to increased risk of ACL injury in females. Sex discrepancies in absolute and proportional size of SA, GR, VL and BFlh may contribute further anatomical explanations for sex differences in injury incidence

Badminton preferentially decreases explosive over maximal voluntary torque in both the plantar flexors and extensors

We assessed changes in maximal and explosive plantar flexion (PF) and dorsi flexion (DF) torque, and thus the maximal and explosive DF/PF ratio, in response to succes- sive badminton matches (2 × 35, 15 minutes of rest) in 16 juniors (10 males, 6 fe- males) International-level badminton players before (Pre), immediately after the first (Post- 1) and second (Post-2) match as well as after resting for 12 hours. For both PF and DF, maximal voluntary torque decreased from Pre to Post-2 (~7%-9%; P < 0.05). Compared with Pre, PF explosive voluntary torque decreased by ~4%-13% at Post-1 (P < 0.05), with further reductions ranging from −15% to −25% within the 0-100 ms epoch after contraction (P < 0.001) at Post-2. Decrements of similar magnitude in DF explosive voluntary torque occurred at Post-1 (ranging −7% to −27%) and Post-2 (ranging −3% to −28%) relative to Pre (P < 0.05). All neuromuscular parameters were fully recovered after 12 hours of rest. Explosive DF/PF ratios during the very initial phase of contraction (up to 50 ms from onset) were lower compared with the maximal DF/PF ratio, with no effect of time (all P < 0.05). In badminton, explosive torque indices should be included to more accurately reflect acute fatigue induced by successive badminton matches.SIFunding received from Badminton World Federation (BWF)

The dose-response of the nordic hamstring exercise on biceps femoris architecture and eccentric knee flexor strength : A randomized interventional trial

Purpose: To examine the dose–response of the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) on biceps femoris long head (BFlh) architecture and eccentric knee flexor strength. Design: Randomized interventional trial. Methods: Forty recreationally active males completed a 6-week NHE training program consisting of either intermittent low volumes (group 1; n = 10), low volumes (group 2; n = 10), initial high volumes followed by low volumes (group 3; n = 10), or progressively increasing volumes (group 4; n = 10). A 4-week detraining period followed each program. Muscle architecture was assessed weekly during training and after 2 and 4 weeks of detraining. Eccentric knee flexor strength was assessed preintervention and postintervention and after 2 and 4 weeks of detraining. Results: Following 6 weeks of training, BFlh fascicle length (FL) increased in group 3 (mean difference = 0.83 cm, d = 0.45, P = .027, +7%) and group 4 (mean difference = 1.48 cm, d = 0.94, P = .004, +14%). FL returned to baseline following detraining in groups 3 and 4. Strength increased in group 2 (mean difference = 53.6 N, d = 0.55, P = .002, +14%), group 3 (mean difference = 63.4 N, d = 0.72, P = .027, +17%), and group 4 (mean difference = 74.7, d = 0.83, P = .006, +19%) following training. Strength returned to baseline following detraining in groups 2 and 3 but not in group 4. Conclusions: Initial high volumes of the NHE followed by lower volumes, as well as progressively increasing volumes, can elicit increases in BFlh FL and eccentric knee flexor strength. Low volumes of the NHE were insufficient to increase FL, although as few as 48 repetitions in 6 weeks did increase strength

On the feasibility of N2 fixation via a single-site FeI/FeIV cycle: Spectroscopic studies of FeI(N2)FeI, FeIV=N, and related species

The electronic properties of an unusually redox-rich iron system, [PhBPR 3]FeNx (where [PhBPR 3] is [PhB(CH2PR2)3]−), are explored by Mössbauer, EPR, magnetization, and density-functional methods to gain a detailed picture regarding their oxidation states and electronic structures. The complexes of primary interest in this article are the two terminal iron(IV) nitride species, [PhBPiPr 3]FeN (3a) and [PhBPCH2Cy 3]FeN (3b), and the formally diiron(I) bridged-Fe(μ-N2)Fe species, {[PhBPiPr 3]Fe}2(μ-N2) (4). Complex 4 is chemically related to 3a via a spontaneous nitride coupling reaction. The diamagnetic iron(IV) nitrides 3a and 3b exhibit unique electronic environments that are reflected in their unusual Mössbauer parameters, including quadrupole-splitting values of 6.01(1) mm/s and isomer shift values of −0.34(1) mm/s. The data for 4 suggest that this complex can be described by a weak ferromagnetic interaction (J/D < 1) between two iron(I) centers. For comparison, four other relevant complexes also are characterized: a diamagnetic iron(IV) trihydride [PhBPiPr 3]Fe(H)3(PMe3) (5), an S = 3/2 iron(I) phosphine adduct [PhBPiPr 3]FePMe3 (6), and the S = 2 iron(II) precursors to 3a, [PhBPiPr 3]FeCl and [PhBPiPr 3]Fe-2,3:5,6-dibenzo-7-aza bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene (dbabh). The electronic properties of these respective complexes also have been explored by density-functional methods to help corroborate our spectral assignments and to probe their electronic structures further