Teaching Christian Mission in an Age of World Christianity:

https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitspapers/1089/thumbnail.jp

Thermal conductivity of neon, argon, and xenon at high temperatures

Thermal conductivities λ of neon, argon, and xenon were measured at 760 mm Hg in the ranges 1000–1500 °K (neon, xenon) and 1000–2500 °K (argon). The data were correlated by expressions of the form λ = a Tb, where a and b are constants depending upon the gas. The results were compared with (1) existing data, (2) viscosity measurements η, by means of the coefficient f = λ∕(2.5ηCv), and (3) values calculated from an extended law of corresponding states. The correlations obtained from the measurements were found to describe well the thermal conductivities of all three gases not only within the temperature ranges of the experiments but also over the range 900–2500 °K.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/71139/2/JCPSA6-59-5-2747-1.pd

Long-term sequelae after acquired pediatric hemorrhagic cerebellar lesions

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess cognitive, affective, and motor long-term sequelae after acquired focal pediatric cerebellar lesions. Methods: Eight patients with a history of isolated acquired hemorrhagic cerebellar lesions before the age of 13 participated in this study. All participants underwent a neurologic examination, including the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment (ZNA) and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). Cognitive functions have been evaluated with a general cognitive assessment and an extensive neuropsychological battery. Furthermore, patients and parents filled in questionnaires about quality of life and possible behavioral or emotional problems. Results: The results revealed that all patients exhibited motor problems (ZNA). Most participants had further restricted oculomotor movements (ICARS). Age at injury and the full scale IQ were significantly positively correlated (Pearson correlation 0.779; p = 0.023). Conversely, no overall neuropsychological profile could be identified except for marginally reduced reaction times and susceptibility to interference. In addition, borderline results in semantic and phonemic word fluency tasks were apparent. A dysexecutive syndrome was diagnosed in one patient. However, verbal performance and reading abilities were non-pathologic in all participants. The patients reported having a good quality of life without major physical restrictions. Conclusions: Emotional disturbances and the presence of a mild cerebellar cognitive affective syndrome (as frequently described in adult patients) could only be confirmed in adolescents with vermis lesions. Nevertheless, in laboratory conditions, neuropsychological impairments were present in all patients. Heterogeneity of age at injury and exact lesion site may have led to interpersonal differences in neuropsychological outcom

Lesion Extent Negatively Impacts Intellectual Skills in Pediatric Focal Epilepsy

BACKGROUND Cognitive development in children and adolescents with focal lesional epilepsy is determined by the underlying epileptogenic lesion, in addition to epilepsy itself. However, the impact of lesion-related variables on intelligence quotient (IQ) and developmental quotient (DQ) remains largely unexplored. Here, we aimed to determine the effect of lesion-related predictors and their relation with epilepsy-related predictors of intellectual functioning. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed data from children with focal lesional epilepsy who underwent standardized cognitive evaluation yielding IQ/DQ in our institution. RESULTS We included 50 consecutive patients aged 0.5 to 17.5 years (mean, 9.3; S.D., 4.9) at cognitive assessment. Epilepsy duration was 0 to 15.5 years (mean, 3.8; S.D., 4.1). Of the total cohort, 30 (60%) patients had unilobar lesions, seven (14%) multilobar, 10 (20%) hemispheric, and three (6%) bilateral. Etiology was congenital in 32 (64%) cases, acquired in 14 (28%), and progressive in four (8%). For patients with unilobar lesions, the mean IQ/DQ was 97.1 ± 15.7, for multilobar 98.9 ± 20.2, for hemispheric 76.1 ± 20.5, and for bilateral 76.3 ± 4.5. Larger lesion extent, earlier epilepsy onset, and longer epilepsy duration correlated with lower IQ/DQ in the univariate analysis, whereas only lesion extent and epilepsy duration contributed significantly to the explanatory model in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates that lesion extent and epilepsy duration are important risk factors for intellectual impairment in pediatric patients with focal lesional epilepsy. These findings are useful for family counseling and the early consideration of interventions that may limit the duration of epilepsy

Macrocephaly in neurofibromatosis type 1: a sign post for optic pathway gliomas?

Purpose: Optic pathway gliomas, which occur in 15-20% of paediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, are the most common central nervous system tumour associated with this neurocutaneous disorder. The detection of optic pathway gliomas is essential for further management but is often delayed in infancy due to oligosymptomatic progression and difficulties in clinical detection. Therefore, the aim of our study was to find a clinical indicator for the presence of optic pathway gliomas in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 in order to facilitate early diagnosis and initiate further ophthalmological and neuroimaging investigations. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 70 patients (mean age of 10.5years; SD of 4.3years; range of 0.5-19.6years; 35 females) with neurofibromatosis type 1 seen at the University Children's Hospital of Bern, Switzerland, between January 1998 and December 2008 regarding clinical features of neurofibromatosis type 1 in relation to the presence of optic pathway gliomas. Results: Fifty-seven of the 70 patients (81.4%) had no clinical or radiological signs of optic pathway gliomas [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain in 26/57], whereas 13/70 patients (18.6%) were diagnosed with optic pathway gliomas by MRI. Patients with optic pathway gliomas showed macrocephaly significantly more often compared to patients without optic pathway gliomas (8/13 vs. 9/57, respectively; p = 0.004). Conclusion: Macrocephaly significantly correlates with the incidence of optic pathway gliomas in children with neurofibromatosis type 1. We therefore hypothesise that in otherwise asymptomatic patients, macrocephaly is an additional indicator for performing MRI to detect optic pathway glioma

Spherical harmonic decomposition applied to spatial-temporal analysis of human high-density EEG

We demonstrate an application of spherical harmonic decomposition to analysis of the human electroencephalogram (EEG). We implement two methods and discuss issues specific to analysis of hemispherical, irregularly sampled data. Performance of the methods and spatial sampling requirements are quantified using simulated data. The analysis is applied to experimental EEG data, confirming earlier reports of an approximate frequency-wavenumber relationship in some bands.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. E, uses APS RevTeX style

Optogenetics and deep brain stimulation neurotechnologies

Brain neural network is composed of densely packed, intricately wired neurons whose activity patterns ultimately give rise to every behavior, thought, or emotion that we experience. Over the past decade, a novel neurotechnique, optogenetics that combines light and genetic methods to control or monitor neural activity patterns, has proven to be revolutionary in understanding the functional role of specific neural circuits. We here briefly describe recent advance in optogenetics and compare optogenetics with deep brain stimulation technology that holds the promise for treating many neurological and psychiatric disorders

The treatment of negro-white relations in the curriculum materials of the Methodist Church for intermediate youth, 1941-1960 [microform] /

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Boston University Abstract: leaves 753-757. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 740-752). Microfilm. sThe purpose of this dissertation is to examine the treatment of Negro-white relations in Methodist curriculum materials for intermediate youth, published 1941-1960, to discover trends, emphases, and implications for editorial policy. This study is set in an historical, cultural, and theological context. The historical trend of Negro-white relations in American society is toward increasing justice, equality, and integration, with the Second World War and the 1954 Supreme Court decision as recent pivotal developments. Methodist history reveals a gradual evolution in the direction of full Negro quality and an interracial church, despite the continued existence of the Central Jurisdiction. These trends are confirmed by official Methodist pronouncements and representative Methodist opinion. The principles they reflect are firmly based on the implications of Methodist theology as interpreted by the Articles of Religion, Social Creed, and official statements of curriculum philosophy. In determining the extent to which the materials reflect this context, six basic questions are asked: Do the materials reflect or challenge prevailing racial attitudes, practices, and theories of society and church? Is race relations discussed primarily in general or specific terms? Are action suggestions intended for broad, universal application or focused on particular situations? Do pictures lead to identification with or rejection of the Negro? Are theological consideration peripheral or basic to the treatment of race? Are the lessons dealing with race concentrated or balanced in the various quarters of the church school year, periods of the twenty-year study, and types of materials? To answer these questions the materials are examined from five approaches. A descriptive analysis cites representative and significant references. A quantitative analysis notes in each publication the distribution of lessons dealing with race in the church school year. A summary analysis points up trends and emphases in the individual materials. A composite analysis outlines overall pattern and policy. And a comparative analysis determines differences among the three graded and five functional types of materials. Findings from these analyses produce certain conclusions. Intermediate editorial policy: 1. Is committed to racial justice, equality, and integration, and to the use of the materials to help eradicate discrimination. 2. Encourages discussion of the theories of race and prejudice in thought patterns paralleling those of society and the church. 3. Is more concerned about the race problem in society than about improving the racial situation in the church. 4. Reflects the growing attentions paid to the Methodist racial issues by the General Conference in increased emphasis on the improvement of race relations in the church. 5. Takes the General Conference position on race as its standard. 6. Offers little opportunity for influencing opinion in the church beyond the limit of official endorsement. 7. Tends to trat race in general rather than specific terms, stressing the theological principles of the fatherhood of God, brotherhood of man, and attitudes of Jesus much more heavily than criticisms of general problems. 8. When dealing with race in concrete terms, indicates relevance by majoring on issues close to the lives of intermediates and assigning action responsibility to persons most likely to be influenced by the materials. 9. Relies on the "white man's rank order of discriminations" in avoiding mention of Negro-white home visits and intermarriage. 10. Contradicts the usually relevant character of group graded materials and fellowship programs by heavy dependence on the general in preference to the specific. 11. Favors increased expression of appreciation for the Negro, but stresses passive over aggressive leaders as objects of identification. 12. Exhibits in story papers a pronounced tendency to stereotype the Negro in word and picture. 13. Stresses the role of the individual in effecting change in the racial situation, while largely ignoring the influence of organized social action, legislation, and planned policy. 14. Directs more action proposals to the South in times of crisis. 15. Exhibits in broadly graded materials a contradictory tendency in utilizing their potential influence: focusing action proposals on the South where the materials are widely used, byt placing much more emphasis on the need for change in society than in the church. 16. While favoring respect for and identification with the Negro in the use of pictures, appears hesitant to portray Negroes in integrated situations which would indirectly encourage interracial contacts, and also permits occasional portrayal of stereotypes and poorly-defines features. 17. Assigns considerable importance to the use of theological and biblical statements - particularly doctrines related to man - in support of racial attitudes. 18. Adheres closely to the standards set by the theological foundations of curriculum and the implications of Methodist theology. 19. Is responsive to the recent revival of theology in Methodism. 20. Provides for the treatment of race in an adequate share of intermediate lessons. 21. Is affected by the idealism of the postwar period and the tension and controversy precipitated by the Supreme Court decision. 22. Exhibits a readiness to deal with this controversial subject during seasons of high attendance and circulation - spring and winter. 23. Increasingly favors discussion of race during brotherhood month. 24. encourages increasing use of lessons focusing on Negro-white relations or related themes rather than incidental references in lessons mainly devoted to other topics. 25. Places the most emphasis on Negro-white relations in closely graded materials and story papers, and the least in broadly graded and fellowship programs. 26. Tends to try to influence the racial attitudes of pupils through the teacher, providing for a generally constructive and helpful approach to teaching about race in the helps, though with some shortcomings. 27. Exhibits increasing awareness of the relationship between worship and the development of wholesome racial attitude. 28. Reflects in the relative uniformity in the references to race of most of the materials the continuity of youth editorship over much of the twenty years and the sharing of writers by the periodicals. The following implications for editorial policy emerge when these conclusions are compared with the trends of history, the official Methodist position, and the implications of Methodist theology: 1. Accommodation to the cultural patterns of racial inequity should be eliminated. 2. The treatment of race should be made more specific. 3. A balance should be maintained between broad, universal action proposals and those more limited in focus. 4. More pictures should be used to encourage interracial contacts and identification with the Negro. 5. Theological and biblical considerations should be kept basic to the racial discussion. 6. The present frequency of lessons dealing with race should be continued. 7. A relatively even balance should be maintained in the distribution of the lessons dealing with race in the church school year. 8. Treatment of Negro-white relations should be more timely, incisive, and relevant. 9. The handling of the racial issue should be consistent in all types of materials. 10. More variety in approach is needed