Mathematics for the Masses: Door-to-Door Missionaries of Math and Twelve-Step Recovery Programs

Conversion of strangers, or proselytizing, is a feature of a range of groups for religious, organizational and other aims. In twelve-step recovery programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, belief in a higher power is a requirement for working the steps to recovery. People are encouraged to find a higher power of their own understanding. This paper presents a model for using mathematics as a higher power, and shows how recovery works with mathematics in that role instead of a more traditional higher power such as God. A contemplative definition of math is given along with a description of a three-categoried epistemology: mathematics, science, and the personal. This epistemology is shown to be sufficient to work the Twelve Steps, with mathematics as a higher power. Proselytizing is not required

Analisis Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Perilaku Konsumen Terhadap Keputusanmembeli Cat Tembok Merek Dulux Pada Toko Berkat Prima Raya Di Sangatta

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence consumers in buying the Dulux brand paint store Sangatta Thanks to Prima Kingdom . The experiment was conducted for 3 Months ( April to June 2013 ) in Stores Thanks to Prima Kingdom Sangatta , bekaitan the factors that influence consumers' decision to buy spray paint brand Dulux in Stores Thanks to Prima Kingdom Sangatta.Kegiatan conducted research : The study of literature , field observations , interviews , documentation , data collection and analisis.Data that dikupulkan in the research include : an overview of shops , the organizational structure and the answer is responden.Peralatan analysis used multiple regression analysis with the formula : Y = a b2 X2 b1X1 b3X3 b4X4 e in where a = constant , b1 , b2 , b3 , b4 are regression coefficients , X1 = the influence of culture , X2 = social influence , X3 = personal effects , psychological effects and X4 = Y = a decision to buy . Equation Regression analysis results obtained are : Y = 1.043 0.191 ( X1 ) 0.216 ( X2 ) 0.200 ( X3 ) 0.130 ( X4 )From the calculation of the regression equation , can be described as berikut1 ) . Variable X1 ( culture ) regression coefficient = 0.191 means that each additional 1 level culture ( X1 ) will increase the buying decision variable ( Y ) was 0.191 level 2 ) . Variable X2 ( social ) coefficient regression = 0.216 means that each additional 1 level social variables ( X2 ) will increase the buying decision variable ( Y ) was 0.216 level . 3 ) . X3 ( private ) with regression coefficient = 0.200 means that each additional 1 level private variable ( X3 ) will increase the buying decision variable ( Y ) = 0.200 level 4 ) . Variable X4 ( psychological ) with regression coefficient = 0.130 means that each additional 1 level variables psychological ( X4 ) will increase the buying decision variable ( Y ) = 0.13

Detonation pulse engine

Exploratory experiments with an air-breathing propulsion device which uses detonative combustion to achieve high cycle pressures, are reported. In the first phase, detonation in a chamber containing ethylene and air was initiated by a detonation produced in a small tube containing ethylene and oxygen. An automobile spark system was used for ignition. In the second phase, a repetitive detonation process was sustained in a naturally-aspirated chamber at a frequency of 25Hz. Projections based on the present test results suggest that frequencies of 150Hz and specific impulse in the range 1000-1400 sec might be obtained in a practical engine.Office of Naval Research via Naval Postgraduate School Foundation Research Progra

Formative Assessment in a Geology Classroom: Promoting Learning by Giving Top Marks

Based on the observation that teacher expectation often drives classroom success, a project was undertaken whereby all students were given top marks in two sections of a geology classroom at the undergraduate level. To further this project, a student motivation strategy was attempted to take the place of their not having to fear for top marks.  The results were sixfold: (1) the results of student work were well above average; (2) student work reflected teacher expectations; (3) student enthusiasm was well above average; (4) the instructor needed to use enthusiasm and humor to maintain discipline; (5) the instructor needed to parse the assignments so that the work would be done; (6) the administration was unhappy with the resulting data analytics. Based on this case study, one can confirm that student outcomes are highly dependent on teacher expectations and strategies; and that formative (not evaluative) assessments can be used effectively to raise the level of student learning

Somatic retrotransposition in human cancer revealed by whole-genome and exome sequencing

Retrotransposons constitute a major source of genetic variation, and somatic retrotransposon insertions have been reported in cancer. Here, we applied TranspoSeq, a computational framework that identifies retrotransposon insertions from sequencing data, to whole genomes from 200 tumor/normal pairs across 11 tumor types as part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pan-Cancer Project. In addition to novel germline polymorphisms, we find 810 somatic retrotransposon insertions primarily in lung squamous, head and neck, colorectal, and endometrial carcinomas. Many somatic retrotransposon insertions occur in known cancer genes. We find that high somatic retrotransposition rates in tumors are associated with high rates of genomic rearrangement and somatic mutation. Finally, we developed TranspoSeq-Exome to interrogate an additional 767 tumor samples with hybrid-capture exome data and discovered 35 novel somatic retrotransposon insertions into exonic regions, including an insertion into an exon of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene. The results of this large-scale, comprehensive analysis of retrotransposon movement across tumor types suggest that somatic retrotransposon insertions may represent an important class of structural variation in cancer.National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (grant U24CA143867)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (grant U24CA126546

Post-Transcriptional Dysregulation by miRNAs Is Implicated in the Pathogenesis of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor [GIST]

peer-reviewedIn contrast to adult mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors [GISTs], pediatric/wild-type GISTs remain poorly understood overall, given their lack of oncogenic activating tyrosine kinase mutations. These GISTs, with a predilection for gastric origin in female patients, show limited response to therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and generally pursue a more indolent course, but still may prove fatal. Defective cellular respiration appears to underpin tumor development in these wild-type cases, which as a group lack expression of succinate dehydrogenase [SDH] B, a surrogate marker for respiratory chain metabolism. Yet, only a small subset of the wild-type tumors show mutations in the genes coding for the SDH subunits [SDHx]. To explore additional pathogenetic mechanisms in these wild-type GISTs, we elected to investigate posttranscriptional regulation of these tumors by conducting microRNA (miRNA) profiling of a mixed cohort of 73 cases including 18 gastric pediatric wild-type, 25 (20 gastric, 4 small bowel and 1 retroperitoneal) adult wild-type GISTs and 30 gastric adult mutant GISTs. By this approach we have identified distinct signatures for GIST subtypes which correlate tightly with clinico-pathological parameters. A cluster of miRNAs on 14q32 show strikingly different expression patterns amongst GISTs, a finding which appears to be explained at least in part by differential allelic methylation of this imprinted region. Small bowel and retroperitoneal wild-type GISTs segregate with adult mutant GISTs and express SDHB, while adult wildtype gastric GISTs are dispersed amongst adult mutant and pediatric wild-type cases, clustering in this situation on the basis of SDHB expression. Interestingly, global methylation analysis has recently similarly demonstrated that these wild-type, SDHB-immunonegative tumors show a distinct pattern compared with KIT and PDGFRA mutant tumors, which as a rule do express SDHB. All cases with Carney triad within our cohort cluster together tightly.Funding was obtained from the Medical Research Charities Group (http://www.mrcg.ie/) and Health Research Board of Ireland (http://www.hrb.ie) (MO’S), The Children’s Medical and Research Foundation (http://www.cmrf.org) (MO’S), the GIST Cancer Awareness Foundation [GCAF] (http://www. gistawareness.org/)(MO’S), and research grants from the Life Raft Group (http://www.liferaftgroup.org/)(MD-R) and from the Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen (http://www.fwo.be/)(grant # G.0286.05 MD-R)

Nonequilibrium spin distribution in single-electron transistor

Single-electron transistor with ferromagnetic outer electrodes and nonmagnetic island is studied theoretically. Nonequilibrium electron spin distribution in the island is caused by tunneling current. The dependencies of the magnetoresistance ratio $\delta$ on the bias and gate voltages show the dips which are directly related to the induced separation of Fermi levels for electrons with different spins. Inside a dip $\delta$ can become negative.Comment: 11 pages, 2 eps figure