Hauerwas and Willimon\u27s Resident aliens: Life in the Christian colony (Book Review)

A review of Hauerwas, S., & Willimon, W.H. (2014). Resident aliens: Life in the Christian colony (25th Anniversary ed.). Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. 172 pp. $19.99. ISBN 978142678190

Towards a Conceptual Map of Academic Libraries\u27 Role in Student Retention

Academic libraries, like other academic departments, are developing strategies to retain students given the high cost of withdrawing to both students and institutions. The relatively few empirical studies of college libraries and retention efforts cite comfortable library facilities, student employment in the library, and inter-departmental partnerships as effective library strategies to prevent attrition. Much of the professional literature on libraries and retention extrapolates what libraries could be doing based on general studies of retention. These empirically-based and theoretical strategies are presented in the form of conceptual map at the end of this review along with a map of institutional stakeholders in a holistic retention strategy

Librarian Hacks: Introducing the Virtual Theological Library Project

Acquiring a low-cost library catalog is problematic, but there are a number of tools to ‘hack’ a library catalog. While no free product rivals the usability and searching sophistication of proprietary ILS systems, I believe that the Virtual Theological Library Project presents a solution is that is affordable and easy to implement. Using tools freely available on the web, librarians in churches and small academic libraries can created a cloud-based library catalog that is searchable to the public and supplement their local holdings with millions of theological texts on the web. Using Google Site and Google Sheets to create a catalog combines the accessibility and precision that other DIY cataloging solutions do no

A Novel Approach to Multiphysics Modeling of Heat and Mass Transfer in Porous Media

This thesis aims to investigate conjugate heat and mass transfer in porous media with an emphasis on textiles. Both hygroscopic materials, those that absorb water vapor, and non-hygroscopic materials are examined. A model was developed that utilizes COMSOL’s equation-based partial differential equation (PDE) interface which allows the user to input any equation(s) to be solved. By the use of experimental and numerical data each part of the model, i.e. flow field, gas diffusion, convection and vapor absorption, is verified. The accuracy of the equation-based unsteady flow field is verified by modeling the flow over a circular cylinder and extracting the lift and pressure coefficients. Gaseous diffusion in a porous medium (PM) is shown to agree with volume averaging theory. Steady state convection and diffusion is modeled and reveals the importance of mass diffusion in PM as well as how changes in material permeability, due to water vapor absorption, affect heat and mass transfer. Water vapor absorption yields a dynamic response under transient conditions, which results in significant temperature changes depending on textile fiber properties

Determining South Mississippi forest susceptibility to windthrow and shear damage in a hurricane environment through data mining of meteorological, physiographical, pedological, and tree level data

An estimated 39 million m3 of timber was damaged across the Southeast Forest District of Mississippi due to Hurricane Katrina. Aggregated forest plot-level biometrics was coupled with wind, topographical, and soil attributes using a GIS. Data mining through Regression Tree Analysis (RTA) was used to determine factors contributing to shear damage of pines and wind-throw damage of hardwoods. Results depict Lorey’s Mean Height (LMH) and Quadratic Mean Diameter (QMD) are important variables in determining the percentage of trees and basal area damaged for both forest classes with sustained wind speed important for wind-throw and peak wind gusts for shear. Logistic regression based on stand damage classification compared to RTA revealed LMH, stand height to diameter ratio, and sustained wind variable concurrence. Reclassification of MIFI plot damage calls based on percentage of trees damaged increased predictability of wind-throw and shear classification. This research can potentially aid emergency and forest managers for better mitigation and recovery decisions following a hurricane

The Machine is Angry

At its heart (or lack thereof) The Machine is Angry is a theater work. The visual components are as equally important as their acoustic counterparts. Sounds are only as valuable as the images they evoke and the intention of The Machine is to outline a picture that simultaneously conveys community and isolation; the idea that one can feel most alone when in a crowded room

A Disciplined Option Writing Strategy Outperforms a Passive Dow 30 Total Return Index

We have tested a simple option strategy of writing cash collaterized puts and covered calls based on data provided by the IVY Option Metrics Database. This database contains the actual put and call prices from December 31, 1995 to December 31 2010 used in this study. Our base case period for our option strategy (December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2010) has resulted in annualized returns ranging from 5.08% to 5.88% depending upon which P/E multiple cut off we used in our model. Comparatively, the DJIA delivered investors a total return of only 2.41%. Furthermore, our strategy, depending on the P/E cut-off, produced a standard deviation ranging from 4.06% to 5.99% versus the DJIA which had a considerably higher standard deviation of 15.77% for the same period measured. Our results beg the question: on a risk adjusted basis is writing of puts and calls a better strategy than simply investing in a passive index such as the Dow 30 index? The portfolio started with a notional $225,000 investment so as to compare it to a passive index investing strategy. The advantage of a simple, non-levered options writing strategy are significant as it handily outperforms a non-options passive index approach when measured on a risk adjusted basis

On the Computation Of Part Orientation Using Support Structures in Layered Manufacturing

During the construction of an object by layered manufacturing, it might be necessary to build external supports either to prevent the object from toppling, or to support floating components and overhanging material. The support structures, if necessary, must be built simultaneously with the object, and hence must be accounted for in the path planning of the laser beam or the deposition nozzle. In this paper, we find the best direction offormation of an object by layered manufacturing process that allows the use of support structures. In the orientation determined by the best direction offormation, the object is constructible with a minimal support structure, is stable, and rests on a planar base. Implementation results are also included.Mechanical Engineerin