Equipping Children and Pre–Teens to Read and Study Their Bibles

There is a shortage of material which teaches children and pre–teens how to read and study the Bible. It is important for educators to help them become good Bible readers and interpreters. This paper presents five crucial steps that are important to instruct children and pre–teens in the skills necessary to work out the appropriate meaning and application of the Biblical text. Because children and adolescents learn by “doing,” this article suggests core activities to help them understand and develop Bible interpretation skills

Three months journeying of a Hawaiian monk seal

Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and are the most endangered species of marine mammal that lives entirely within the jurisdiction of the United States. The species numbers around 1300 and has been declining owing, among other things, to poor juvenile survival which is evidently related to poor foraging success. Consequently, data have been collected recently on the foraging habitats, movements, and behaviors of monk seals throughout the Northwestern and main Hawaiian Islands. Our work here is directed to exploring a data set located in a relatively shallow offshore submerged bank (Penguin Bank) in our search of a model for a seal's journey. The work ends by fitting a stochastic differential equation (SDE) that mimics some aspects of the behavior of seals by working with location data collected for one seal. The SDE is found by developing a time varying potential function with two points of attraction. The times of location are irregularly spaced and not close together geographically, leading to some difficulties of interpretation. Synthetic plots generated using the model are employed to assess its reasonableness spatially and temporally. One aspect is that the animal stays mainly southwest of Molokai. The work led to the estimation of the lengths and locations of the seal's foraging trips.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/193940307000000473 the IMS Collections (http://www.imstat.org/publications/imscollections.htm) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Method and apparatus for spatially variable rate application of agricultural chemicals based on remotely sensed vegetation data

Remotely sensed spectral image data are used to develop a Vegetation Index file which represents spatial variations of actual crop vigor throughout a field that is under cultivation. The latter information is processed to place it in a format that can be used by farm personnel to correlate and calibrate it with actually observed crop conditions existing at control points within the field. Based on the results, farm personnel formulate a prescription request, which is forwarded via email or FTP to a central processing site, where the prescription is prepared. The latter is returned via email or FTP to on-side farm personnel, who can load it into a controller on a spray rig that directly applies inputs to the field at a spatially variable rate

Framework for the Parametric System Modeling of Space Exploration Architectures

This paper presents a methodology for performing architecture definition and assessment prior to, or during, program formulation that utilizes a centralized, integrated architecture modeling framework operated by a small, core team of general space architects. This framework, known as the Exploration Architecture Model for IN-space and Earth-to-orbit (EXAMINE), enables: 1) a significantly larger fraction of an architecture trade space to be assessed in a given study timeframe; and 2) the complex element-to-element and element-to-system relationships to be quantitatively explored earlier in the design process. Discussion of the methodology advantages and disadvantages with respect to the distributed study team approach typically used within NASA to perform architecture studies is presented along with an overview of EXAMINE s functional components and tools. An example Mars transportation system architecture model is used to demonstrate EXAMINE s capabilities in this paper. However, the framework is generally applicable for exploration architecture modeling with destinations to any celestial body in the solar system

Method and system for spatially variable rate application of agricultural chemicals based on remotely sensed vegetation data

Remotely sensed spectral image data are used to develop a Vegetation Index file which represents spatial variations of actual crop vigor throughout a field that is under cultivation. The latter information is processed to place it in a format that can be used by farm personnel to correlate and calibrate it with actually observed crop conditions existing at control points within the field. Based on the results, farm personnel formulate a prescription request, which is forwarded via email or FTP to a central processing site, where the prescription is prepared. The latter is returned via email or FTP to on-side farm personnel, who can load it into a controller on a spray rig that directly applies inputs to the field at a spatially variable rate

Advancing academic careers through formal professional mentorship: The Research Scholars Mentorship Program (RSMP)

Mentorship is an essential component of professional development for young and emerging scholars. In partnership with the Kellogg Health Scholars Program, the American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB) developed the 12-month Research Scholars Mentorship Program (RSMP) as a mechanism to facilitate high-quality mentorship interactions among junior and seasoned investigators within the Academy. This article provides a rationale, history, and description of the RSMP, as well as the collective scholarly achievements of the Cohorts and future directions. To date, 44 Pairs have initiated or completed the program. Products written and submitted by the Pairs during the 12-month mentorship period have included grants (n = 21), peer-reviewed manuscripts (n = 64), and book chapters (n = 2). Additionally, Pairs have collaborated to initiate new studies (n = 10) and develop new courses (n = 1). AAHB’s commitment to mentorship and professional development fueled the development of the RSMP to foster inclusive scholarship, expand membership, and promote productivity. The 12-month RSMP is a model for formal mentorship within professional organizations in that it facilitates Mentee-Mentor Pairs to enhance their professional and research trajectories through the execution of processes and development of products

Acanthamoeba griffini. Molecular characterization of a new corneal pathogen

Purpose. Acanthamoeba was isolated from the cornea of a soft contact lense wearer who had keratitis. The protozoan was also isolated from the contact lens storage case and the domestic water supply used to clean the case. Using morphologic features, all three isolates were identified tentatively as A. griffini, a species not previously associated with keratitis. Complete small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) sequence analysis was used to characterize further the three isolates. Methods. 18S rDNA was polymerase chain reaction-amplified from whole cell DNA derived from amoebal lysates. The genes were cloned and sequenced. Complete sequences of approximately 2800 base pairs were obtained from each culture and compared with those stored in a data base of homologous Acanthamoeba sequences. Results. The isolates were unequivocally identified as A. griffini both by comparison of the gene sequence available for the type strain of the species and the presence of a unique group I intron located within the small subunit rDNA. Sequences obtained for the three isolates were identical, indicating that they were the same strain. Conclusions. The first direct connection between human disease and A. griffini is reported from a case of Acanthamoeba keratitis. The type strain of this species was isolated from a marine environment, but the disease<ausing strain was isolated from a domestic water supply. The DNA sequences obtained confirmed unequivocally the epidemiologic association between a keratitis-causing strain of Acanthamoeba, the contact lens storage case, and the domestic water supply

Expression of vesicular glutamate transporters type 1 and 2 in sensory and autonomic neurons innervating the mouse colorectum

Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) have been extensively studied in various neuronal systems, but their expression in visceral sensory and autonomic neurons remains to be analyzed in detail. Here we studied VGLUTs type 1 and 2 (VGLUT(1) and VGLUT(2) , respectively) in neurons innervating the mouse colorectum. Lumbosacral and thoracolumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG), lumbar sympathetic chain (LSC), and major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons innervating the colorectum of BALB/C mice were retrogradely traced with Fast Blue, dissected, and processed for immunohistochemistry. Tissue from additional naïve mice was included. Previously characterized antibodies against VGLUT(1) , VGLUT(2) , and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were used. Riboprobe in situ hybridization, using probes against VGLUT(1) and VGLUT(2) , was also performed. Most colorectal DRG neurons expressed VGLUT(2) and often colocalized with CGRP. A smaller percentage of neurons expressed VGLUT(1) . VGLUT(2) -immunoreactive (IR) neurons in the MPG were rare. Abundant VGLUT(2) -IR nerves were detected in all layers of the colorectum; VGLUT(1) -IR nerves were sparse. A subpopulation of myenteric plexus neurons expressed VGLUT2 protein and mRNA, but VGLUT1 mRNA was undetectable. In conclusion, we show 1) that most colorectal DRG neurons express VGLUT(2) , and to a lesser extent, VGLUT(1) ; 2) abundance of VGLUT2-IR fibers innervating colorectum; and 3) a subpopulation of myenteric plexus neurons expressing VGLUT(2). Altogether, our data suggests a role for VGLUT(2) in colorectal glutamatergic neurotransmission, potentially influencing colorectal sensitivity and motility.Fil: Brumovsky, Pablo Rodolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Univeristy of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. Universidad Austral; ArgentinaFil: Robinson, David R.. Univeristy of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown; Estados Unidos. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: La, Jun Ho. Univeristy of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Seroogy, Kim B.. No especifíca;Fil: Lundgren, Kerstin H.. No especifíca;Fil: Albers, Kathryn M.. Univeristy of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Kiyatkin, Michael E.. Univeristy of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Seal, Rebecca P.. No especifíca;Fil: Edwards, Robert H.. No especifíca;Fil: Watanabe, Masahiko. No especifíca;Fil: Hökfelt, Tomas. Karolinska Huddinge Hospital. Karolinska Institutet; SueciaFil: Gebhart, G. F.. Univeristy of Pittsburgh. School of Medicine; Estados Unido

Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Clusters in Public Health and Correctional Settings, Wisconsin, USA, 2016-20171.

Ending the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic requires stopping transmission among networks of persons who inject drugs. Identifying transmission networks by using genomic epidemiology may inform community responses that can quickly interrupt transmission. We retrospectively identified HCV RNA-positive specimens corresponding to 459 persons in settings that use the state laboratory, including correctional facilities and syringe services programs, in Wisconsin, USA, during 2016-2017. We conducted next-generation sequencing of HCV and analyzed it for phylogenetic linkage by using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global Hepatitis Outbreak Surveillance Technology platform. Analysis showed that 126 persons were linked across 42 clusters. Phylogenetic clustering was higher in rural communities and associated with female sex and younger age among rural residents. These data highlight that HCV transmission could be reduced by expanding molecular-based surveillance strategies to rural communities affected by the opioid crisis