Barriers to Faith: An Annotated Bibliography

A review of the recent book publications related to the spring theme, Unity in Christ. We include the following titles. Anderson, Tawa J. Why Believe: Christian Apologetics for a Skeptical Age (Hobbs College Library), edited by Heath A. Thomas. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group. 2021. ISBN-13: 978-1087724232. 336 pages. $26.99. Bahnsen, Greg L. By This Standard: The Authority of God\u27s Law Today. Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina: Covenant Media Press, 2020. ISBN-13: 978-0998025216. 275 pages.$30.00. Bass, Justin W. The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus\u27 Death and Resurrection. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020. ISBN-13: 978-1683593607. 272 pages. $18.99. Enns, Peter. How the Bible Actually Works: in Which I Explain How an Ancient, Ambiguous, and Diverse Book Leads Us to Wisdom Rather Than Answers--and Why That’s Great News. First edition. San Francisco: HarperOne, 2019. ISBN-13: 978-0062686749. 304 pages.$15.99. Geisler, David and Norman Geisler. Conversational Evangelism: Connecting with People to Share Jesus. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2014. ISBN-13: ‎978-0736950831. 256 pages. $15.99. McFarland, Alex. The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity. Minneapolis, MN. Bethany House, 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0764215162. 256 pages.$16.00. McLaughlin, Rebecca. Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World\u27s Largest Religion. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019. ISBN-13: 978-1433564239. 240 pages. $24.99. Murphy, Cara L. T. The Inquisitive Christ: 12 Engaging Questions. Brentwood, TN: FaithWords. 2020. ISBN-13: 978-1546038375. 288 pages.$27.00. Strahan, Joshua Marshall. The Basics of Christian Belief: Bible, Theology, and Life\u27s Big Questions. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. 2020. ISBN-13: 978-1540962010. 240 pages. $49.99. Swain, Scott R. The Trinity: An Introduction (Short Studies in Systematic Theology), edited by Graham A. Cole and Oren R. Martin. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020. ISBN-13: 978-1433561214. 160 pages.$15.99. Wright, N. T. Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World. New York, NY: HarperOne. ISBN-13: 978-0062564092. 280 pages. 2020. $27.99

Unity in Christ: An Annotated Bibliography

A review of the recent book publications related to the spring theme, Unity in Christ. We include the following titles. Alma, Hans et al. Moral and Spiritual Leadership in an Age of Plural Moralities. Anatolios, Khaled. Deification through the Cross: An Eastern Christian Theology of Salvation. Barrett, Matthew. Canon, Covenant and Christology: Rethinking Jesus and the Scriptures of Israel. Beck, William David and Mike Licona. Raised on the Third Day: Defending the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. Chia, Edmund Kee-Fook. Confucianism and Christianity: Interreligious Dialogue on the Theology of Mission. Emerson, Matthew Y. He Descended to the Dead: An Evangelical Theology of Holy Saturday. Fairbairn, Donald, and Ryan M. Reeves. The Story of Creeds and Confessions: Tracing the Development of the Christian Faith. Farhadian, Charles E. Christianity: A Brief Introduction. Gallagher, Edmon L., and John D. Meade. The Biblical Canon Lists from Early Christianity: Texts and Analysis. Jipp, Joshua W. The Messianic Theology of the New Testament. Kaemingk, Matthew and Cory B. Willson. Work and Worship: Reconnecting Our Labor and Liturgy. Price, J. Randall. What Should We Think About Israel?: Separating Fact from Fiction in the Middle East Conflict. Wellum, Stephen J. The Person of Christ: An Introduction

Reactive oxygen species induce virus-independent MAVS-oligomerization in systemic lupus erythematosus

The increased expression of genes induced by type I interferon (IFN) is characteristic of viral infections and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We showed that mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) protein, which normally forms a complex with retinoic acid gene I (RIG-I)–like helicases during viral infection, was activated by oxidative stress independently of RIG-I helicases. We found that chemically generated oxidative stress stimulated the formation of MAVS oligomers, which led to mitochondrial hyperpolarization and decreased adenosine triphosphate production and spare respiratory capacity, responses that were not observed in similarly treated cells lacking MAVS. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of SLE patients also showed spontaneous MAVS oligomerization that correlated with the increased secretion of type I IFN and mitochondrial oxidative stress. Furthermore, inhibition of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ prevented MAVS oligomerization and type I IFN production. ROS-dependent MAVS oligomerization and type I IFN production were reduced in cells expressing the MAVS-C79F variant, which occurs in 30% of sub-Saharan Africans and is linked with reduced type I IFN secretion and milder disease in SLE patients. Patients expressing the MAVS-C79F variant also had reduced amounts of oligomerized MAVS in their plasma compared to healthy controls. Together, our findings suggest that oxidative stress–induced MAVS oligomerization in SLE patients may contribute to the type I IFN signature that is characteristic of this syndrome

Effectiveness of less than three doses of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine against cervical intraepithelial neoplasia when administered using a standard dose spacing schedule: Observational cohort of young women in Australia

AbstractBackgroundOptimised two-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine schedules are now endorsed for young adolescents by the World Health Organization. Limited data are available about effectiveness of <3 doses using a standard dose schedule.MethodsDeterministic data linkage was undertaken between the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry and National HPV Vaccination Program Register to determine quadrivalent HPV vaccination status and incidence of cervical pathology among vaccine eligible women (aged 26 years or younger in 2007) screened in Victoria, Australia between April 2007 and December 2011. Proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) adjusted for age, socioeconomic status and area of residence. Women were stratified into those vaccinated before or after first screen.ResultsAny number of doses (1, 2 or 3) were associated with lower rates of high grade and low grade cytology diagnoses as long as doses were given before screening commencement (one dose HR high grade 0.44 (95% CI 0.32–0.59), one dose low grade 0.48 (95% CI 0.40–0.58); two doses HR high grade 0.63 (95% CI 0.50–0.80), HR low grade 0.52 (95% CI 0.44–0.61); three doses HR high grade 0.53 (95% CI 0.47–0.60), HR low grade 0.73 (95% CI 0.68–0.78)). Three doses of vaccine, but not fewer, were associated with reduced risk of high grade histologically confirmed abnormality in this cohort, regardless of whether vaccination occurred before or after screening (HR before 0.71 (95% CI 0.64–0.80), HR after 0.87 (95% CI 0.82–0.93)). Secondary analyses censoring end points occurring within 1, 6, 12, or 24 months of final vaccine dose suggested an increasing effect of partial vaccination courses over time.ConclusionOur data suggest that less than three doses of quadrivalent HPV vaccine provides some protection against cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, even when measured within 5 years in a population including those who were sexually active at the time of vaccination

Healthcare provider-delivered healthy eating recommendations among U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults

8 pagesU.S. Hispanic/Latino adults are at heightened risk for developing diet-related chronic diseases. Healthcare provider recommendations have shown to be effective for promoting health behavior change, but little is known about healthcare provider healthy eating recommendations among Hispanics/Latinos. To investigate the prevalence of and adherence to healthcare provider-delivered healthy eating recommendations among a U.S. sample of Hispanic/Latino adults, participants (N = 798; M = 39.6±15.1 years; 52% Mexican/Mexican American) were recruited via Qualtrics Panels to complete an online survey in January 2018. Most (61%) participants reported having ever received a healthcare provider-delivered dietary recommendation. Higher body mass index (AME = 0.015 [0.009, 0.021]) and having a chronic health condition (AME = 0.484 [0.398, 0.571]) were positively associated with receiving a dietary recommendation while age (AME = 0.004 [ 0.007, 0.001]) and English proficiency (AME = 0.086 [ 0.154, 0.018]) were negatively associated. Participants reported adhering regularly (49.7%) and sometimes (44.4%) to recommendations. There were no significant associations with patient characteristics and adherence to a healthcare provider-delivered dietary recommendation. Findings inform next steps toward increasing implementation of brief dietary counseling from healthcare providers to support prevention and management of chronic diseases among this under-studied population

Union effects on performance and employment relations: Evidence from China

This paper empirically studies union effects on the performance of, and employment relations in, China's private enterprises. The study finds a positive and statistically significant union effect on labor productivity, but not on profitability. It further finds that unions lead to better employee benefits and increased contract signing in employment. These findings suggest that, in the era of transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, unions in China's private enterprises do promote workers' interests as unions do in other economies. And they do that without abandoning their traditional role of harmonizing employment relations, as required by the Party. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.preprin

Perceived Neighborhood Crime Safety Moderates the Association Between Racial Discrimination Stress and Chronic Health Conditions Among Hispanic/Latino Adults

12 pagesBackground: Little is known about the link between perceived neighborhood walkability and prevalence of chronic disease. Even less is known regarding this association among Hispanic/Latino adults, despite exhibiting high rates of chronic diseases. Stress due to racial discrimination is a harmful social determinant of health in Hispanics/Latinos. Having both low perceived neighborhood walkability and high racial discrimination stress may exacerbate the chronic disease status of Hispanics/Latinos. Among a U.S. national sample of Hispanic/Latino adults, this cross-sectional study aims to examine (1) the associations among overall perceived neighborhood walkability, racial discrimination stress, and having a chronic health condition; and (2) whether overall perceived neighborhood walkability moderates the hypothesized association between racial discrimination stress and having a chronic health condition. Methods: In January 2018, 798 Hispanic/Latino adults (M age = 39.7 years, SD = 15.1; 58.6% female; 70.0% U.S. born; 52.0% Mexican/Mexican American) responded to a survey via Qualtrics Panels. Surveys included the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale-Abbreviated, Hispanic Stress Inventory-2, and self-reported presence/absence of chronic health conditions (e.g., hypertension, heart disease). A logistic regression was conducted testing for the moderation of the main effect of racial discrimination stress on the presence of a chronic health condition by overall perceived neighborhood walkability. Results: After controlling for age, body mass index, and income, racial discrimination stress was inversely associated with overall perceived neighborhood walkability (b = −0.18, p < 0.001) and positively associated with having a chronic health condition (OR = 1.02; 95% CI [1.00, 1.03]). While overall perceived neighborhood walkability was not associated with having a chronic health condition, perceived crime safety was inversely associated with having a chronic health condition (OR = 0.94; 95% CI [0.89, 0.99]). Perceived crime safety moderated the positive association between discrimination stress and having a chronic health condition, such that the association was only significant among those who perceived their neighborhood to be less safe (β = −0.004, 95% CI [−0.01, −0.00]). Conclusions: Overall perceived neighborhood walkability was inversely associated with racial discrimination stress, but not associated with having a chronic health condition. Perceived neighborhood crime safety, but not infrastructure or aesthetics, matters when it comes to the link between racial discrimination stress and having a chronic health condition among Hispanics/Latinos

Ranking Objections to Christian Theism: A Survey of Subjective Declarations and their Correlations with Expert Opinions

There have been numerous books written on the top objections to Christianity—sometimes stated as “common,” “major,” “frequent,” “every day,” “cultural,” “tough,” “difficult” objections. However, there is a dearth of behavioral studies in the literature that show how and given population ranks objections to Christianity. As such, the apologist has had to rely on expert opinions from the books that have been authored. These expert opinions are based on familiarity with the literature in the field and contact with laity from university, church, and other speaking engagements. The purpose of this study is to document trends in how people report the relative strength of objections to Christian theism.[1] We analyze whether these trends correlate with popular works of Christian apologists—our baseline for expert opinion. Further, we determine whether there are any statistically significant relationships between reported demographics, rankings, and attitudes. Summary of Results and Analysis. Subjective declarations of respondents of the questionnaire showed that most participants were either 18-24 (marginally more than 55-64 and 65-74), male (marginally more than female), had some college (marginally more than bachelor’s, master’s degrees), lived in a suburban community, or lived in the South. In comparing the expert opinion baseline with the aggregate survey ranking results, we see similar rankings between the objection that “God is unloving/immoral” and that the “Bible is not inerrant” (ranked by both as 1st and 2nd, respectively) at the higher end of the spectrum. We found that those identified as agnostic seem to have the closest potential correlation to expert opinion (baseline). The mean of their rankings produced four objections that closely approximated the baseline, one objection that was about one rank removed from the baseline, and three objections that were about two ranks from the baseline. For demographics and rankings, we found statistically significant relationships between religious identification and the objection “God does not exist” with those who identified as atheists, giving it an average ranking of 3.74 (on a scale of 1-13; 1 = highest, 13 = lowest). For demographics and attitudes, we found statistically significant relationships between religious identification and age, religious discussion importance, and attitude toward Christian theism. (See “Analysis” section.) [1] The study was done under the School of Divinity Department at Liberty University in compliance with Liberty University’s Internal Review Board (Research Ethics Office). IRB-FY21-22-12. Policy: Post-2018 Rule. Submitted 07-06-2021. Last approved 09-07-2021, no expiration date applicable

Parent Gender Affects the Influence of Parent Emotional Eating and Feeding Practices on Child Emotional Eating

12 pagesExtant research supports a direct association between parent’s own emotional eating and their child’s emotional eating, and demonstrates correlations among parent emotional eating, feeding practices, and child emotional eating. However, the majority of this work focuses on the separate influences of these factors. The current study aims to add to the literature by simultaneously examining the indirect effects of three major parental feeding practices (i.e., emotion regulation, instrumental, and restrictive feeding) in the association between parent emotional eating and child emotional eating, and exploring how these indirect effects vary based on parent gender. Parents (86 fathers, 324 mothers) of an elementary school-age child (M = 8.35, SD = 2.29, range = 5–13) completed an online survey through Qualtrics Panels. Results suggested that restrictive feeding partially accounted for the association between parent and child emotional eating in the combined sample of mothers and fathers. Exploratory analyses revealed that the indirect effects of parental feeding practices in the association between parent emotional eating and child emotional eating varied based on parent gender. Among mothers, restrictive feeding was the only feeding practice that partially accounted for the association between maternal and child emotional eating, whereas all three feeding practices fully accounted for the association between father and child emotional eating. As the bulk of the literature on parent emotional eating and feeding has solely focused on mothers, these findings offer insight into how feeding practices may differentially function in the relation between parent emotional eating and child emotional eating for mothers versus fathers

Neutrino Quasielastic Scattering on Nuclear Targets: Parametrizing Transverse Enhancement (Meson Exchange Currents)

We present a parametrization of the observed enhancement in the transverse electron quasielastic (QE) response function for nucleons bound in carbon as a function of the square of the four momentum transfer ($Q^2$) in terms of a correction to the magnetic form factors of bound nucleons. The parametrization should also be applicable to the transverse cross section in neutrino scattering. If the transverse enhancement originates from meson exchange currents (MEC), then it is theoretically expected that any enhancement in the longitudinal or axial contributions is small. We present the predictions of the "Transverse Enhancement" model (which is based on electron scattering data only) for the $\nu_\mu, \bar{\nu}_\mu$ differential and total QE cross sections for nucleons bound in carbon. The $Q^2$ dependence of the transverse enhancement is observed to resolve much of the long standing discrepancy in the QE total cross sections and differential distributions between low energy and high energy neutrino experiments on nuclear targets.Comment: Revised Version- July 21, 2011: 17 pages, 20 Figures. To be published in Eur. Phys. J.