Investigation of Martian H2O and CO2 via gamma-ray spectroscopy

The evolution and present state of water and carbon dioxide on Mars are discussed. Researchers wished to determine how effectively questions regarding the distribution of water and carbon dioxide on Mars may be addressed with orbital gamma ray spectrometer data. Several simple, multi-layer models of the Martian surface were formulated to address problems such as the ice/dust ratio of layered deposits; the distribution, depth and concentration of ground ice; the thickness of north polar perennial ice; the thickness of the carbon dioxide layer over the south polar cap; the thickness of the seasonal carbon dioxide frost cap; and the water content of the seasonal frost cap. The results indicate that the Mars Observer gamma ray spectrometer will be a powerful tool for investigating the distribution and stratigraphy of volatiles on Mars

Toward the Development of a Church Planting Strategy for the Local Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America

Historically the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been a mission-oriented movement. In harmony with this emphasis church planting is beginning to gain a higher p rio rity in some parts of North America. Very little evidence has been gathered, however, which supports this practice as being an effective means of evangelism. Furthermore, v irtu a lly no guidance has been offered to local SDA churches explaining why church planting should be considered or how it should be accomplished. Empirical data are gathered from various denominations, including the Adventist denomination, regarding the relationship of new church development and membership growth. With positive correlations confirming the place of this practice in a comprehensive plan for evangelism in North America, the report then seeks to develop a strategy which would be helpful for those who will be engaged in this ministry. In order to gain the necessary insights for a holistic and effective approach to church planting two studies are conducted. The first is a description of church growth as recorded in the biblical book of Acts. The second is an analysis and a critique of an actual church-planting experience, the organization of the Spokane South Hill SDA Church, according to church growth lite ra tu re . The principles gained from these two studies provide the framework for a proposed strategy for the placement and development of new congregations in North America. The strategy is designed to be of primary value for those churches which have memberships of 250 or more. The report contends that churches of this size can plant a church by sending a group of dedicated members, approximately fifty , to help form a nucleus for the new church—thereby providing an immediate presence for evangelism and nurture. The strategy is designed to facilitate this process by preparing the mother church theologically and missionally for the eventual church planting. The organizational aspects are then dealt with which lead to the actual formation of the new church. To accentuate the on-going process, flow charts have been prepared to relate the parts to the whole. A theological rationale for this process is presented as an extension of a shared ministry of reconciliation which is also characterized as an incarnational ministry for specific communities and people groups. The joint roles of the clergy and the laity are integrated in both parts of the strategy. Some general recommendations are made which are directed towards creating a more intentional climate for church planting in North America

Whales, dolphins, and porpoises of the eastern North Pacific and adjacent Arctic waters: a guide to their identification

This is an identification guide for cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), that was designed to assist laymen in identifying cetaceans encountered in eastern North Pacific and Arctic waters. It was intended for use by ongoing cetacean observer programs. This is a revision of an earlier guide with the same title published in 1972 by the Naval Undersa Center and the National Marine Fisheries Service. It includes sections on identifying cetaceans at sea as well as stranded animals on shore. Species accounts are divided by body size and presence or lack of a dorsal fin. Appendices include illustrations of tags on whales, dolphins, and porpoises, by Larry Hobbs; how to record data from observed cetaceans at sea and for stranded cetaceans; and a list of cetacean names in Japanese and Russian. (Document contains 245 pages - file takes considerable time to open