Mapping mission as translation with reference to Michael Polanyi’s heuristic philosophy

My thesis proposes a theological conceptualisation for understanding gospel and culture relationships in the field of Christian mission. I begin by investigating whether the missiological categories of contextualisation and inculturation are adequate for describing how the Christian gospel is offered from one culture to another. Can the categorical metaphor, ‘translation,’ construed conceptually rather than linguistically, add a more fruitful and comprehensive way of understanding how the Christian message is transmitted across cultures? I contend that ‘mission as translation’ incorporates numerous features of contextualisation and inculturation, yet avoids weaknesses of those two interpretations. The incipient theory of mission as translation has been articulated by mission historians, Andrew Walls and Lamin Sanneh, and theologian Kwame Bediako. I use reading of key texts of these scholars to build a conceptual approach to mission as translation. I contrast their translation principles with the work of two Roman Catholic missiologists, Stephen Bevans and Robert Schreiter, proponents of mission as contextualisation. In developing the argument for my thesis, I explore insights gleaned from studying linguistics, hermeneutics and translation studies. I go on to identify three ‘linguistic translation’ features: similarity and difference, transformation, and multiplicity, and then apply Eugene Nida’s communication theory to missional translation. Drawing on heuristic insights from Michael Polanyi, I take Nida’s translation theory further and suggest that relevance theory, interpreted by Ernst-August Gutt, provides a way forward in translation studies. I argue that Polanyi’s notions of discovery and indwelling offer methodological categories to describe how a mission translator pays attention to cultural particulars and integrates them into perceived meaningful patterns. I use Polanyi’s notion of the tacit dimension as the primary hermeneutical tool in understanding mission as translation. Finally, I test mission as translation by applying it to three case studies and conclude by discussing the three ‘linguistic translation’ features in light of Christian mission

Optical synchronization-phase locking with shot noise processes Interim technical report

Optical communication synchronization with phase lock tracking loop and analysis of shot noise processe

Application of numerical optimization to the design of wings with specified pressure distributions

A practical procedure for the optimum design of transonic wings is demonstrated. The procedure uses an optimization program based on the method of feasible directions coupled with an aerodynamic analysis program which solves the three-dimensional potential equation for subsonic through transonic flow. Two new wings for the A-7 aircraft were designed by using the optimization procedure to achieve specified surface pressure distributions. The new wings, along with the existing A-7 wing, were tested in the Ames 11 ft transonic wind tunnel. The experimental data show that all of the performance goals were met. However, comparisons of the wind tunnel results with the theoretical predictions indicate some differences at conditions for which strong shock waves occur

Development of an object-oriented finite element program: application to metal-forming and impact simulations

During the last 50 years, the development of better numerical methods and more powerful computers has been a major enterprise for the scientific community. In the same time, the finite element method has become a widely used tool for researchers and engineers. Recent advances in computational software have made possible to solve more physical and complex problems such as coupled problems, nonlinearities, high strain and high-strain rate problems. In this field, an accurate analysis of large deformation inelastic problems occurring in metal-forming or impact simulations is extremely important as a consequence of high amount of plastic flow. In this presentation, the object-oriented implementation, using the C++ language, of an explicit finite element code called DynELA is presented. The object-oriented programming (OOP) leads to better-structured codes for the finite element method and facilitates the development, the maintainability and the expandability of such codes. The most significant advantage of OOP is in the modeling of complex physical systems such as deformation processing where the overall complex problem is partitioned in individual sub-problems based on physical, mathematical or geometric reasoning. We first focus on the advantages of OOP for the development of scientific programs. Specific aspects of OOP, such as the inheritance mechanism, the operators overload procedure or the use of template classes are detailed. Then we present the approach used for the development of our finite element code through the presentation of the kinematics, conservative and constitutive laws and their respective implementation in C++. Finally, the efficiency and accuracy of our finite element program are investigated using a number of benchmark tests relative to metal forming and impact simulations

The Improvement of Efficiency in the Numerical Computation of Orbit Trajectories

An analysis, system design, programming, and evaluation of results are described for numerical computation of orbit trajectories. Evaluation of generalized methods, interaction of different formulations for satellite motion, transformation of equations of motion and integrator loads, and development of efficient integrators are also considered

Toxic Cyanobacteria Aerosols: Tests of Filters for Cells

Aerosolization of toxic cyanobacteria released from the surface of lakes is a new area of study that could uncover a previously unknown route of exposure to toxic cyanobacteria. Since toxic cyanobacteria may be responsible for adverse human health effects, methods and equipment need to be tested and established for monitoring these airborne bacteria. The primary focus of this study was to create controlled laboratory experiments that simulate natural lake aerosol production. I set out to test for the best type of filter to collect and analyze the aerosolized cells as small as 0.2-2.0 µm, known as picoplankton. To collect these aerosols, air was vacuumed from just above a sample of lake water passing through either glass fiber filters (GFF) or 0.22 µm MF-Millipore™ membrane filters (0.22 Millipore™). Filter collections were analyzed through epiflourescence microscopy for determining cell counts. Data analysis revealed that 0.22 Millipore™ filters were the best option for cell enumeration providing better epiflourescence optical quality and higher cell counts

Back to Reality: A Study of Reality Television Tourism

With movies and television providing entertainment in almost every American household, reality programming has become an integral part of the marketing industry today. This form of entertainment has influenced viewers and marketers alike as the number of programs have increased on nearly every network. This paper explores the gap in available academic research as to how this explosion in programming affects tourism to the locations presented in films and television shows. Data was collected by means of a self-administered survey completed through Qualtrics; snowball sampling was used. The survey was posted and completed through reality television message boards and blogs and via social media. Data analysis involved multiple statistical measurements but relied primarily on Structural Equation Modeling. Components adapted from Crompton’s push/pull model in additional to others introduced items provided the base work for the analysis. This study found that the primary viewer of reality television was female, thirty years-of-age or older, well educated, married, and at a higher income level. The findings of the study exhibited three factors that influenced consumer likelihood of visiting a reality television destination. These were: Personal Involvement, Destination Image, and Motivation. This study provides traditional print marketers, destination marketers, film and television producers as well as the destination location, much valuable and useful information. The data obtained provides an opportunity to capitalize upon different mediums through the use of advertisements and specified promotions that are directly related to locations and/or destinations portrayed within the program. It also provides a look at the consumers of the programming and what would attract the viewers to a location. KEYWORDS: Reality television tourism, Push/Pull, structural equation modeling, film-induced tourism, destination image, travel and touris

New approaches for estimating risk from exposure to diethylstilbestrol.

A subgroup from a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, workshop concerned with characterizing the effects of endocrine disruptors on human health at environmental exposure levels considered the question, If diethylstilbestrol (DES) were introduced into the market for human use today and likely to result in low-dose exposure of the human fetus, what would be required to assess risk? On the basis of an analysis of the quality of data on human DES exposure, the critical times and doses for inducing genital tract malformations and cancer must be determined. This would be facilitated through analysis of the ontogeny of estrogen receptor expression in the developing human genital tract. Models of low-dose estrogenic effects will have to be developed for human and rodent genital tract development. Mouse models offer many advantages over other potential animal models because of the wealth of the earlier literature, the availability of sensitive end points, the availability of mutant lines, and the possibility of generating genetically engineered model systems. Through multidisciplinary approaches, it should be possible to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption elicited by estrogens during development and facilitate an assessment of risk to humans

Using Debate In Helping Students Discuss Controversial Topics

We used 2 debates over the course of a semester to encourage upper level psychology students to engage in discussion about controversial issues.  The debates considered issues in Affirmative Action and sexual diversity.  Students completed a survey assessing their experiences both individually and as a team member.  Students found it easier to discuss controversial subjects in the classroom during a structured debate as compared to traditional open discussions.  In addition, most of the students enjoyed the debate, would like to participate in a debate in the future, and felt empowered by the experience.  The debate itself elicited some strong emotions, both positive and negative.  Debate is a useful tool to facilitate verbal participation by students in classes where the subject matter is controversial