Model-Independent Determinations of B -> D l nu , D* l nu Form Factors

We present nonperturbative, model-independent parametrizations of the individual QCD form factors relevant to B -> D* l nu and B -> D l nu decays. These results follow from dispersion relations and analyticity, without recourse to heavy quark symmetry. To describe a form factor with two percent accuracy, three parameters are necessary, one of which is its normalization at zero recoil, F(1). We combine the individual form factors using heavy quark symmetry to extract values for the product |V_{cb}| F(1) from B -> D* l nu data with negligible extrapolation uncertainty.Comment: uses harvmac and epsf, 22 pages, 3 eps figures include

In the lead up to the financial crash of 2007, federal housing policy made a mockery of society’s ‘subprime virtues’

The effects of the subprime mortgage crisis which began in 2007 are still being felt today, with the U.S. now only slowly returning to pre-crisis growth levels. Richard Avramenko and Richard Boyd write that our society is based on what they term ‘subprime virtues’, such as moderation, truth-telling, frugality and commitment, and that federal housing policy in the lead up to the crisis encouraged nearly the opposite behavior. They argue that modest reforms towards better housing policies, such as mortgage tax credits and stricter penalties for mortgage fraud would go some way towards fostering society’s ‘subprime virtues’

Natural Kinds and Ceteris Paratis Generalizations: In Praise of Hunches

According to stereotypical logical empiricist conceptions, scientific findings are approximately true (or perhaps true ceteris paribus) law-like generalizations used to predict natural phenomena. They are deployed using topic-neutral, generally reliable inferential principles like deductive or statistical inferences. Natural kinds are the kinds in such generalizations. Chemical examples show that such conceptions are seriously incomplete. Some important chemical generalizations are true often enough, even though not usually true, and they are applied using esoteric topic- and discipline-specific inference rules. Their important methodological role is to underwrite often-enough reliable, often socially implemented, scientifically informed guessing about chemical phenomena. Some chemical natural kinds earn their naturalness mainly from participating in such generalizations. These results generalize: many scientific generalizations, inference rules, and natural kinds function to inform guessing, that is, to underwrite the generation of hunches

Natural Kinds and Ceteris Paratis Generalizations: In Praise of Hunches

According to stereotypical logical empiricist conceptions, scientific findings are approximately true (or perhaps true ceteris paribus) law-like generalizations used to predict natural phenomena. They are deployed using topic-neutral, generally reliable inferential principles like deductive or statistical inferences. Natural kinds are the kinds in such generalizations. Chemical examples show that such conceptions are seriously incomplete. Some important chemical generalizations are true often enough, even though not usually true, and they are applied using esoteric topic- and discipline-specific inference rules. Their important methodological role is to underwrite often-enough reliable, often socially implemented, scientifically informed guessing about chemical phenomena. Some chemical natural kinds earn their naturalness mainly from participating in such generalizations. These results generalize: many scientific generalizations, inference rules, and natural kinds function to inform guessing, that is, to underwrite the generation of hunches

The use of group psychotherapy in the professional training of ministers

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston UniversityBackground and problem of the study. Group psychotherapy, first used as a treatment for the mentally-ill, has recently proved its value in the training of professional groups, notably clinical psychologists, nurses, and psychiatric social workers. The first attempt to use this technique to train theological students and ministers, so far as we know, is t he course, "Group Therapy," which is offered at the Boston Psychopathic Hospital. This six-weeks course offers 27 hours of group psychotherapy, supplemented by 27 eight-hour days in which the students are volunteers in the hospital [TRUNCATED