Cultures shaped by elements of ideological totalism – Experiences of misuse of power in some pentecostal christian fellowships

Open access publication licensed under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International LicenseThis article presents a qualitative study about perceived demanding and hurtful experiences communicated by 16 informants from some Pentecostal fellowships in Norway. The inclusion criterion was that they had experienced what they thought could relate to the misuse of spiritual power. The study analyzes the informants’ perceptions of their interaction with the leaders in some Pentecostal fellowships. Two empirical patterns emerged in the material: 1) the dynamics of destabilization and 2) the dynamics of programming. The dynamics of destabilization created insecurity, and the informants expressed a) fear of the leaders, b) experiences of double-layered behavior, and c) difficult experiences with the leaders’ communication of “messages from God.” The dynamics of programming refers to experiences of legitimated logic in the fellowship, such as a) a dichotomy between evil and good and b) submission to the mission and loyalty to the leaders. We discuss the findings with the help of the theoretical concept of “ideological totalism”, power theory, perspectives on Pentecostal leadership and theological perspectives from the field of diaconia. We found that the two dynamics provided a base for exploitive power and the weakening of an empowered agency. A diaconal focus suggests the need for an intervening power against this perceived misuse.publishedVersio

Tiger or turtle?: exploring alternative futures for Egypt to 2020

A dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is used to explore alternative scenarios for 1990-2020 in areas critical for Egypt's economy productivity growth, investment, foreign trade, and water. The model is formulated as a mixed-complementarity problem, has a detailed treatment of agriculture, assumes competitive markets and determines efficient water allocation. A "Turtle" scenario extrapolates Egypt's recent poor productivity and low investment, while a "Tiger" scenario assumes East Asian performance. For the Turtle scenario, incomes are stagnant and a crisis emerges in the labor market. With rapid growth in export demand, investment and productivity, the "Tiger" scenario generates almost tripled per-capita incomes and full employment. Sensitivity analysis for the Tiger scenario suggests that growth in export demand is important, while tariff removal with no other policy changes has little effect. Increasing water scarcity hurts agriculture and labor absorption, but has little effect on overall growth.Equilibrium (Economics) Egypt., Agriculture Economic aspects Egypt., Water-supply, Agricultural Egypt., Computable general equilibrium (CGE).,

Chordal force distribution determines systolic mitral leaflet configuration and severity of functional mitral regurgitation

AbstractOBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the chordae tendineae force distribution on systolic mitral leaflet geometry and mitral valve competence invitro.BACKGROUNDFunctional mitral regurgitation is caused by changes in several elements of the valve apparatus. Interaction among these have to comply with the chordal forcedistribution defined by the chordal coapting forces (FC) created by the transmitral pressure difference, which close the leaflets and the chordal tethering forces(FT) pulling the leaflets apart.METHODSPorcine mitral valves (n = 5) were mounted in a left ventricular model where leading edge chordal forces measured by dedicated miniature force transducers werecontrolled by changing left ventricular pressure and papillary muscle position. Chordae geometry and occlusional leaflet area (OLA) needed to cover the leaflet orifice for a givenleaflet configuration were determined by two-dimensional echo and reconstructed three-dimensionally. Occlusional leaflet area was used as expression for incomplete leafletcoaptation. Regurgitant fraction (RF) was measured with an electromagnetic flowmeter.RESULTSMixed procedure statistics revealed a linear correlation between the sum of the chordal net forces, ∑[FC−FT]s, and OLA with regression coefficient (minimum − maximum) beta = −115 to −65 [mm2/N]; p< 0.001 and RF (beta = −0.06 to −0.01 [%/N]; p < 0.001). Increasing FTby papillary muscle malalignment restrictedleaflet mobility, resulting in a tented leaflet configuration due to an apical and posterior shift of the coaptation line. Anterior leaflet coapting forces increased due to mitralleaflet remodeling, which generated a nonuniform regurgitant orifice area.CONCLUSIONSAltered chordal force distribution caused functional mitral regurgitation based on tented leaflet configuration as observed clinically