Comfort, Comfort: Reexamining the Historical Context of Isaiah 40:1-11

Graduate Textual or Investigativ

A simple method for the determination of slowly varying refractive index profiles from in situ spectrophotometric measurements

Reliable control of the deposition process of optical films and coatings frequently requires monitoring of the refractive index profile throughout the layer. In the present work a simple in situ approach is proposed which uses a WKBJ matrix representation of the optical transfer function of a single thin film on a substrate. Mathematical expressions are developed which represent the minima and maxima envelopes of the curves transmittance-vs-time and reflectance-vs-time. The refractive index and extinction coefficient depth profiles of different films are calculated from simulated spectra as well as from experimental data obtained during PECVD of silicon-compound films. Variation of the deposition rate with time is also evaluated from the position of the spectra extrema as a function of time. The physical and mathematical limitations of the method are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, REVTeX, to be published in Applied Optic

Amos 3:3-8: A Case Study of the Function of Rhetorical Questions in Amos

Graduate Textual or Investigativ

The Economics of Refugees: How Refugees Influence the Economies of Spain and England

The economic impact of refugee movements is a topic disputed throughout the world, but even more highly disputed in the European Union. In this last Syrian refugee movement, we have heard many different interpretations of how the movement would affect the European economy. Whether based on factual data or speculation, this paper aims to unpack several of the main economic arguments for and against the movement of refugees into European countries, particularly Spain and England. This paper argues that the perceived economic impacts of the refugee movement in Europe does not match the measured economic impacts

Public Bodies and VAT Treatment in a Brief look at the Alternatives Solutions

The aim of this thesis is to examine the current VAT treatment of public bodies in the EU, as defined by the rules of the VAT Directive. This study will examine and evaluate the current problems in interpretation of Art.13 of the VAT Directive and related rules and assess in specific whether the Court’s interposition has been successful in dealing with problems arising from it, or whether more fundamental legislative reform is required. The Thesis will first attempt to define the status of public bodies under the VAT Directive and finally it will focus on reform suggestions in order to examine the alternative solutions regarding the VAT treatment of public body's activities. The thesis considered the possible reforms for current VAT treatment in two groups: first modifying the current treatment by for example refund system as Canadian system follows it or reduced the current exemptions. The second group indicated replacing the current treatment by full taxation of public bodies in the form of Australian and New Zealand system

Reexamining Amos’ Use of Rhetorical Questions in Hebrew Prophetic Rhetoric

The book of Amos contains a message of repentance and judgment to eighth-century Israel. However, the book also portrays the Hebrew prophet persuading his audience of their condemnation before a God whom they do not fully understand. The prophet employs rhetorical questions to help assert his argument. Modern scholarship, however, does not address the function(s) of rhetorical questions from a purely Hebrew context, but evaluates them from an approach heavily influenced by Classical rhetoric. This error results in an incomplete view of Amos’ rhetoric and message that removes the rhetorical questions from the context of the Hebrew prophet. Thus, a new understanding must be proposed to recover Amos’ rhetoric and message that honors his context. After exegesis of each rhetorical question posed by Amos or YHWH against his audience (2:11-12; 3:3-8; 5:18-20; 5:25-27; 6:2; 6:12; 8:5-8; 9:7), the passages reveal that the prophet drew from common thought in nature, society, and Torah to form agreeable statements in the form of a rhetorical question for the purpose of imposing a superior argument or judgment. This conclusion is supported by an analysis of the book’s structure. The functions listed above are embedded in rhetorical structures familiar to Amos and his audience: disputation speech and entrapment language. Amos’ questions are an integral aspect of his message rather than a literary device merely used to form common ground between a speaker and his audience. Amos’ questions contain strong assertions that draw in the audience with common thought, condemn the audience through their response, and impose the prophet’s divine message. In opposition to Classical rhetoric, this approach results in a view compatible with the prophet, his message, and his rhetoric