Superconductivity in rubidium substituted Ba1-xRbxTi2Sb2O

We report on the synthesis and the physical properties of Ba1-xRbxTi2Sb2O (x < 0.4) by x-ray diffraction, SQUID magnetometery, resistivity and specific heat measurements. Upon hole doping by substituting Ba with Rb, we find superconductivity with a maximum Tc = 5.4 K. Simultaneously, the charge-density-wave (CDW) transition temperature is strongly reduced from T_CDW 55 K in the parent compound BaTi2Sb2O and seems to be suppressed for x > 0.2. The bulk character of the superconducting state for the optimally doped sample (x = 0.2) is confirmed by the occurrence of a well developed discontinuity in the specific heat at Tc, with \DeltaC/Tc = 22 mJ/mol K2, as well as a large Meissner-shielding fraction of approximately 40 %. The lower and the upper critical fields of the optimally doped sample (x = 0.2) are estimated to \mu0Hc1(0) = 3.8 mT and \mu0Hc2(0) = 2.3 T, respectively, indicating that these compounds are strongly type-II superconductors

Superconductivity in the η\eta-carbide-type oxides Zr4Rh2Ox

We report on the synthesis and the superconductivity of Zr$_4$Rh$_2$O$_{x}$ ($x$ = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 1.0). These compounds crystallize in the $\eta$-carbide structure, which is a filled version of the complex intermetallic Ti$_2$Ni structure. We find that in the system Zr$_4$Rh$_2$O$_{x}$, already a small amount ($x$ $\geq$ 0.4) of oxygen addition stabilizes the $\eta$-carbide structure over the more common intermetallic CuAl$_2$ structure-type, in which Zr$_2$Rh crystallizes. We show that Zr$_4$Rh$_2$O$_{0.7}$ and Zr$_4$Rh$_2$O are bulk superconductors with critical temperatures of $T_c \approx$ 2.8 K and 4.7 K in the resistivity, respectively. Our analysis of the superconducting properties reveal both compounds to be strongly type-II superconductors with critical fields up to $\mu_0 H_{c1}$(0) $\approx$ 8.8 mT and $\mu_0 H_{c2}$(0) $\approx$ 6.08 T. Our results support that the $\eta$-carbides are a versatile family of compounds for the investigation of the interplay of interstitial doping on physical properties, especially for superconductivity

The emergence of superconductivity in BaNi2(Ge1-xPx)2 at a structural instability

The physical properties and structural evolution of the 122-type solid solution BaNi2(Ge1-xPx)2 are reported. The in-plane X-X (X = Ge1-xPx) dimer formation present in the end member BaNi2Ge2, which results in a structural transition to orthorhombic symmetry, is completely suppressed to zero temperature on P substitution near x = 0.7, and a dome-shape superconducting phase with a maximum Tc = 2.9 K emerges. Clear indications of phonon softening and enhanced electron-phonon coupling are observed at the composition of the structural instability. Our findings show that dimer breaking offers new possibilities as a tuning parameter of superconductivity.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

The Almah Translation in Isaiah 7:14

The almah translation in Is. 7:14 is not merely a question of Hebrew philology; it also has very important theological implications. To arrive at a satisfactory interpretation of this passage, it is necessary not only to define the term almah, but also to be very clear in regard to the nature and scope of Hebrew prophecy. The exegete who regards the Hebrew prophet the merely as an interpreter of history, as a seer who reads a prediction of the future in the events of the present and the past, will translate almah in one way. The exegete, on the other hand, for whom the prophets were divine messengers sent to announce the coming of a future Deliverer may have quite a different concept of almah. More specifically, the student who regards Is. 7:14 as a prophecy of the birth of Christ, finds in this passage Old Testament support for the doctrine of the virgin birth. But a student who sees no reference to the birth of Christ in Is. 7:14 will challenge the fact that almah, means anything but a young woman. The viewpoint of this paper is that of St. Matthew (1:23), who looked upon the virgin birth as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy in Is. 7:14. The decisive question will therefore be this: Is a translation of almah that suggests maidenhood (without emphasizing it) admissible in this passage or not

Let Jeremiah Speak Today!

It is regrettable that a prophet of the stature of Jeremiah who has so much to say to our generation is virtually unknown among our people and not too familiar among our pastors. Here was a man who, as his name indicates, was hurled into the life of his nation” (Baughman), in much the same way as Christians today are brought face to face with the problems of their country and community. This was a man who was \u27\u27born to be at odds with and in opposition to the whole world (Welch), just as the modem disciple of Christ finds himself in conflict with the world

Book Review. - Literatur

Book Review. - Literatu

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Quite apart from the contents of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the history of their discovery and the account of what has happened to them in the meantime has proved to be a subject as fascinating as some of our bestselling books of fiction. The Qumran scrolls are to the 20th century what Tischendorfs discovery of the Codex Sinaiticus was to the 19th (Kraeling). Albright. called the scrolls the greatest manuscript discovery of modem times. For Edmund Wilson the scrolls are the most valuable manuscript find since the Renaissance

Wisdom and Law in Old Testament Wisdom Literature

In this article the author shows how the Jewish understanding of wisdom and law changed, especially in the intertestamental period. Wisdom, under the influence of Hellenistic thought, became almost a personal mediator between God and man, although it had originally been used to describe a certain style of living. The word law also underwent a change from its first meaning of guidance, to a later meaning in Deuteronomy of the revelation of Yahweh\u27s will to Israel, to the final identification of law with wisdom as the mediator between God and His creation, including especially man

The Meaning of Archaeology for the Exegetical Task

The author illustrates how archaeological evidence may supplement, clarify, contradict, or confirm historical and geographical statements in the Scriptures. Biblical theologians and archaeologists need to work together in the exegetical task