Can Memoirs Be Used For Spiritual Development in a Book Group?

Biographies have historically been used by Christians for instruction and encouragement. The current trend in biographical writing is the memoir. Can spiritual memoirs be used as an effective tool for learning more about Scripture, doctrine or the Christian life? Approximately twenty spiritual memoirs were read and evaluated to determine if there was a central theme or series of themes that provided a story-based context for exploring greater biblical truths. This article reviews the genre of spiritual memoirs, discusses their strengths and weaknesses, and suggests a method for preparing them for a book group format

What does successful social prescribing look like? Mapping meaningful outcomes

This study aimed to investigate and collate all the outcomes that are being experienced in link worker based social prescribing schemes. We found this reflects a large evidence gap where research money needs to be invested. Data from this study highlighted that VCSE organisations engaged with social prescribing are not receiving full attribution for their contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of people. Within the literature, there are a range of reports and research articles that support the use of community organisations and services. Little of this knowledge or impact, however, is contextualised within the terms of link worker based social prescribing schemes

Preschool and School Readiness: Experiences of Children With Non-English-Speaking Parents

Examines gaps in school readiness among low-income children, especially those in immigrant and linguistically isolated families; the type of early care and education they receive; and the need for targeted center-based preschool programs to close gaps

The Universality of Initial Conditions for Globular Cluster Formation

We investigate a simple model for globular cluster (GC) formation. We simulate the violent relaxation of initially homogeneous isothermal stellar spheres and show that it leads to the formation of clusters with radial density profiles that match the observed profiles of GCs. The best match is achieved for dynamically unevolved clusters. In this model, all the observed correlations between global GC parameters are accurately reproduced if one assumes that all the clusters initially had the same value of the stellar density and the velocity dispersion. This suggests that the gas which formed GCs had the same values of density and temperature throughout the universe.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

A water vision for Johnstone

The Water Vision is based on ideas from The Netherlands which promote communication with the public on key water related issues in a local authority area. A Water Vision for Johnstone was developed in Renfrewshire, Scotland where serious flooding has occurred in the past and new, predominantly non-structural approaches to surface water management were demanded. The paper outlines the development of a ‘Water Vision for Johnstone’ which became a key outcome of the Interreg III B project ‘Urban Water’.The Water Toets (Assessments) are statutory procedures in the Netherlands which come into play from the concept stage of developments onwards to full implementation. They are undertaken jointly on behalf of the spatial planning authority and the water authorities to evaluate the impact of development on the water network. In contrast, the Water Vision is a less well-defined process to identify community needs and aspirations but in many areas the vision is essential to support the Water Toets. The Water Vision is initiated by planning officers from the municipalities asking very basic questions of their communities about what they required of the water network. It was felt that adopting such a proactive approach where virtually any question about water bodies and drainage infrastructure could be asked, would not be practicable in the UK and it was decided to assemble information about water issues in the area, the agencies involved and potential ways forward, before approaching the public.Johnstone was selected as a test area as it was felt that this locality included many of the water related problems that can be found throughout Renfrewshire. Key water issues were identified and a range of possible solutions provided. Problems, solutions and organisations responsible for different aspects of the water network are described in the document, using images and plans to facilitate the public awareness. Normally the man in the street would not be expected to be as familiar with the nature of water-related problems as the general public in the Netherlands. The Water Vision is yet to go to public consultation as it is currently primarily a planning tool in which council processes are embedded. However, it is planned that workshops including all key stakeholders involved in water management will be held. Those bodies currently responsible for water management will then be encouraged to discuss the various options and opportunities available in a creative and integrated manner. By working together as a team in addressing water related issues it will be possible to develop a vision for the future that better assists the public in moving forward together

Full-Day Kindergarten in California: Lessons From Los Angeles

Analyzes the impact of full-day kindergarten on academic, grade retention, and English fluency outcomes through second grade by school and student characteristics, with a focus on the economically disadvantaged and English learners. Outlines implications

Long-term weight loss effects on all cause mortality in overweight/obese populations

This systematic review assesses the long-term effectiveness of weight loss on all cause mortality in overweight/obese people. Medline, Embase and Cinahl were searched (1966–2005). Cohort studies and trials on participants with Body Mass Index ¡Ý25 kg/m2, with weight change and mortality with ¡Ý 2 years follow-up were included finally identifying 11 papers based on 8 studies. There may be gender differences in the benefits for all cause mortality. The impact of weight loss in men on mortality was not clear with some studies indicating weight loss to be detrimental, while a recent cohort study showed benefits, if it were a personal decision. Other studies with no gender separation had similarly mixed results. However, one study indicated that overweight/obese women with obesity related illness, who lost weight intentionally within one year, had significantly reduced mortality rates of 19% -25%. In contrast, studies of overweight/obese diabetics irrespective of gender, showed significant benefit of intentional weight loss on mortality in a metaanalysis, HR=0.75(0.67- 0.83). There is some evidence that intentional weight loss has long-term benefits on all cause mortality for women and more so for diabetics. Long-term effects especially for men are not clear and need further investigation.National Health Service (NHS) R&D Health Technology Assessment Board

Design of subsea energy storage chamber

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2009.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 25).Energy generated from offshore resources is not reliable over short periods of time. Although wind and wave energy is fairly consistent in the long run, their short term capacity fluctuations prohibit these resources from replacing dependable fossil-fuel based energy systems. This limitation could be overcome if the energy harvested from these resources could be stored temporarily and then released when needed. The large hydrostatic head at the ocean floor provides a unique opportunity for storing energy offshore. Similar to hydroelectric dams storing water at a high potential, energy could be stored offshore by displacing water from a subsea chamber. This chamber could be incorporated into the mooring system of present offshore harvesting devices to yield more favorable economics. This report establishes the baseline assumptions for designing this energy storage device and proposes a methodology for constructing a beta level prototype. In addition to discerning the tradeoffs between different design options with respect to the marine environment, this study analyzes the cost of this structure per unit energy stored. The contents of this report comprise of the following. First, the hazards inherent to the marine environment are explored qualitatively, and methods to address these issues are proposed. Second, the chamber shape, mooring type, and amount of material are determined based on their respective costs. Finally, this report concludes with the final dimensions of a proposed beta prototype and a list of recommendations for future work.by Alison S. Greenlee.S.B

Molecular studies on intraspecific diversity and phylogenetic position of Coniothyrium minitans

Simple sequence repeat (SSR)±PCR amplification using a microsatellite primer (GACA)% and ribosomal RNA gene sequencing were used to examine the intraspecific diversity in the mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans based on 48 strains, representing eight colony types, from 17 countries world-wide. Coniothyrium cerealis, C. fuckelii and C. sporulosum were used for interspecific comparison. The SSR±PCR technique revealed a relatively low level of polymorphism within C. minitans but did allow some differentiation between strains. While there was no relationship between SSR±PCR profiles and colony type, there was some limited correlation between these profiles and country of origin. Sequences of the ITS 1 and ITS 2 regions and the 5±8S gene of rRNA genes were identical in all twenty-four strains of C. minitans examined irrespective of colony type and origin. These results indicate that C. minitans is genetically not very variable despite phenotypic differences. ITS and 5±8S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that C. minitans had similarities of 94% with C. fuckelii and C. sporulosum (which were identical to each other) and only 64% with C. cerealis. Database searches failed to show any similarity with the ITS 1 sequence for C. minitans although the 5±8S rRNA gene and ITS 2 sequences revealed an 87% similarity with Aporospora terricola. The ITS sequence including the 5±8S rRNA gene sequence of Coniothyrium cerealis showed 91% similarity to Phaeosphaeria microscopica. Phylogenetic analyses using database information suggest that C. minitans, C. sporulosum, C. fuckelii and A. terricola cluster in one clade, grouping with Helminthosporium species and 'Leptosphaeria' bicolor. Coniothyrium cerealis grouped with Ampelomyces quisqualis and formed a major cluster with members of the Phaeosphaeriacae and Phaeosphaeria microscopica