A procedure for combining acoustically induced and mechanically induced loads (first passage failure design criterion)

The combined load statistics are developed by taking the acoustically induced load to be a random population, assumed to be stationary. Each element of this ensemble of acoustically induced loads is assumed to have the same power spectral density (PSD), obtained previously from a random response analysis employing the given acoustic field in the STS cargo bay as a stationary random excitation. The mechanically induced load is treated as either (1) a known deterministic transient, or (2) a nonstationary random variable of known first and second statistical moments which vary with time. A method is then shown for determining the probability that the combined load would, at any time, have a value equal to or less than a certain level. Having obtained a statistical representation of how the acoustic and mechanical loads are expected to combine, an analytical approximation for defining design levels for these loads is presented using the First Passage failure criterion

A fundamental study of electrophilic gases for plasma quenching

Electron attachment properties of high molecular weight gases for plasma quenchin

Religion and the 'sensitive branch' of human nature

Journal ArticleAbstract: While the theses that (1) human beings are primarily passional creatures and that (2) religion is fundamentally a product of our sensible nature are both closely linked to David Hume, Hume's contemporary Henry Home, Lord Kames (1696-1782), also defended them and explored their implications. Importantly, Kames does not draw the same sceptical conclusions as does Hume. Employing a sophisticated account of the rationality of what he calls the ‘sensitive branch' of human nature, Kames argues that religion plays a central role in the development and perfection of human life

F. H. Jacobi on faith, or what it takes to be an irrationalist

Journal ArticleF. H. Jacobi (1743-1819), a key figure in the philosophical debates at the close of the eighteenth century in Germany, has long been regarded as an irrationalist for allegedly advocating a blind ‘leap of faith'. The central claim of this essay is that this venerable charge is misplaced. Following a reconstruction of what a charge of irrationalism might amount to, two of Jacobi's most important works, the Spinoza Letters (1785) and David Hume (1787), are scrutinized for traces of irrationalism. Far from being an irrationalist, Jacobi is best read as questioning the analytical-geometrical model of rationality popular among his contemporaries, and of proposing a more naturalistic theory of rationality that situates it more firmly in human psychology, the ultimate import of which lies in a reconceptualization of the relation between faith and reason

Heidegger and the prospect of a phenomenology of prayer

Journal ArticleAn attempt to contribute to a "phenomenology of prayer" ought to begin with the recognition that the word "phenomenology" means many different things to many different people. Moreover, it must be recognized that none of these usages has any obvious claim to being the normative one. Given these inescapable facts, it is therefore incumbent on one who would make such a contribution to define just what it is that he or she might mean by "phenomenology

Electric Choice in Pennsylvania

Implementing Electric Choic

On the track of the fugitive Gods: Heidegger, Luther, Holderlin

Journal ArticleAt each of the decisive turning points in his philosophical career, Heidegger found inspiration in Holderlin. More recently, commentators have raised questions about the role that his reading of Holderlin played in Heidegger's political actions of the 1930s. It has been suggested that Heidegger's reading of Holderlin is linked with a troubling nationalism, romantic militarism, and cult of the German "fatherland." On this reading, Heidegger's lectures and essays on Holderlin from the 1930s and 1940s testify to his betrayal of his youthful work that had been animated by the more congenial spirits of early Christianity and Kierkegaard. While I by no means wish to deny the troubling aspects of Heidegger's romantic politics, I also want to retrieve another aspect of Heidegger's engagement with Holderlin that has received less attention. In particular, I hope to show in what follows that Heidegger's essays and lectures on Holderlin can be read, in part, as attempts to work out a philosophical theology

The obedient son: Deuteronomy and christology in the gospel of Matthew

This study argues that sonship and obedience are prominent and related themes in the Gospel of Matthew, and the Evangelist's christological articulation of obedient sonship is drawn from the calling of Israel to be Yahweh's obedient son in Deuteronomy. Thus, it is argued that a consideration of Israel's scriptural traditions is necessary to understand most fully Matthew's teaching of the sonship of Jesus.Chapter 1 explores Matthew's use of the OT and, building on the work of Richard Hays, outlines a method for identifying subtle intertextual allusions, and suggests a composition criticism approach to Matthew that focuses on the gospel as a literary and redactional whole.Chapter 2 seeks to establish the historical plausibility for the claim that Matthew was heavily indebted to Deuteronomy by tracing the circulation and use of Deuteronomy in general in ancient Jewish and Christian literature. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a foundation for the claim that Deuteronomy would likely have been an important text for Matthew.Chapter 3 then focuses on Deuteronomy, tracing the covenantal context for the themes of sonship and obedience. It is argued that the sonship of Israel is a key motif in Deuteronomy, and this sonship was predicated on obedience. Key texts include Deut 1; 8; 14; 21; 32, and the themes of love, election, and inheritance are also considered.Chapter 4 traces the influence of Deuteronomy under the specific rubric of obedient sonship through ancient Jewish and Christian literature, including texts which Matthew may have known. Here it is argued that obedient sonship, in association with Deuteronomic themes, is prominent in a wide range of texts.Chapters 5-7 focus specifically on Matthew. It is argued in chapter 5 that the Temptation Narrative (Matt 4.1-11), the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7), and the accusation that Jesus was a glutton and a drunkard (Matt 11.16-19) all demonstrate rather strong resonances with Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomic call to obedient sonship. Chapter 6 proposes two significant possibilities: that the baptism of Jesus (Matt 3.13-17) and the Transfiguration (Matt 17.1-21) may also be influenced by the Deuteronomic perspective on sonship. Finally, chapter 7 suggests three additional clusters of texts that may also indicate Deuteronomy's filial influence on Matthew: Matt 1.20; 12.46-50; 21.28-22.14.1.20; 12.46-50; 21.28-22.14. Chapter 8 offers a conclusion and synthesis, arguing that chapters 1-4 provide the foundation for the claims in chapters 5-7. It is concluded that the Deuteronomic teaching of obedient sonship was quite pervasive in the ancient world, and there is an historically plausible case to be made that Matthew was influenced by this tradition. However, it is also argued that Matthew has appropriated the Deuteronomic concept of obedient sonship in unique ways, applying it messianically to the person of Jesus as the New Israel, and consequently also to the disciples of Jesus, who are able to be a part of God's family through Jesus, the preeminently obedient son

Reasons for worship: a response to Bayne and Nagasawa

Journal ArticleWorship is a topic that is rarely considered by philosophers of religion. In a recent paper, Tim Bayne and Yujin Nagasawa challenge this trend by offering an analysis of worship and by considering some difficulties attendant on the claim that worship is obligatory. I argue that their case for there being these difficulties is insufficiently supported. I offer two reasons that a theist might provide for the claim that worship is obligatory: (1) a divine command, and (2) the demands of justice with respect to God's redemption of humanity. I also challenge the soundness of some of the analogies they employ in their argument

Oxidative Stress Resulting From Helicobacter pylori Infection Contributes to Gastric Carcinogenesis.

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium that infects the stomach and can lead to, among other disorders, the development of gastric cancer. The inability of the host to clear the infection results in a chronic inflammatory state with continued oxidative stress within the tissue. Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species produced by the immune and epithelial cells damage the host cells and can result in DNA damage. H pylori has evolved to evoke this damaging response while blunting the host's efforts to kill the bacteria. This long-lasting state with inflammation and oxidative stress can result in gastric carcinogenesis. Continued efforts to better understand the bacterium and the host response will serve to prevent or provide improved early diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer