Comparison of Transition Matrices Between Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan Areas in the State of Utah Using Juvenile Court Data

The purpose of this paper is to use Markov Chains for the study of youths referred to the juvenile court in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas of the state of Utah. Two computer programs were written for creating case histories for each person referred to the court and for testing for the significance of the difference among several transition matrices. Another computer program, which was written by Soo Hong Uh, was used for analyzing realizations of a Markov chains up to the 4th order; a third computer program, originally written by David White, was used for interpreting Markov chains. The paper is divided into SIX chapters: introduction and thesis goals, definition of SMSA (Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area), statistical background, methodology, analysis and summary and conclusions

Ultrasonic flaw classification and sizing

Flaw classification (determination of the flaw type) and flaw sizing (prediction of the flaw shape, orientation and sizing parameters) are very important issues in ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation of materials. In this work, new techniques for both classification and sizing are described;In the area of flaw classification, a methodology is developed which can solve classification problems in weldments using probabilistic neural networks. In the area of flaw sizing, four new approaches are presented including (1) the determination of distance-gain-size (DGS) curves and frequency response curves for flat-bottom holes based on a theoretical ultrasonic scattering model, (2) a time-of-flight equivalent (TOFE) sizing method for relatively large (\u3e1 mm) flaws in materials, (3) an amplitude-based equivalent (ABE) sizing method and (4) a first moment (FM) sizing method. Both the third and fourth methods are shown to be new viable techniques for sizing relatively small (\u3c1 mm) flaws in materials

Developing a Discipleship Program for Chinese Speaking People to Create a Core Team for the “Abiding Christ Net” via Zoom Video Conference

Problem The Seventh-day Adventist Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research (ASTR) data in December 2019 showed that among the 1.4 billion population in the Mainland China, there were 467,516 Adventist members, and the population per Adventist member ratio was about 3,000:1. Furthermore, there are about 50 million Chinese people living overseas. As a result, there is a great need to efficiently and effectively spread the Gospel to nearly 1.45 billion Chinese people around the world. In July 2020, the online Chinese discipleship network, ACN, was established to create a global Chinese discipleship network by connecting and utilizing Spirit-filled human resources, and providing discipleship programs to Chinese-speaking people throughout the world. The ACN needs to build a core team through an online discipleship program that transcends the geographical, political, and the pandemic boundaries. Method A six-week small group discipleship program was designed and conducted via Zoom video conference from February to March 2021, and the aim was to build a core team for the ACN. Among 12 enrolled members, nine members completed all the sessions. For evaluation, they were given a 4-point Likert scale questionnaire during the first and the last sessions. In addition, each participant was interviewed with the same set of questions. The data were evaluated to determine if the core team had matured to the point where it was growing by discipling other Chinese speakers or serving the ACN. Results Nine core team members of the ACN were trained for small group discipleship activities. Through their relational Bible studies, prayers, and spiritual fellowship in a small group setting via Zoom video conference, they received a sense of divine calling and came to abide in Christ (abide in the Holy Spirit, abide in God’s Word, and abide through prayer). The most significant change after the six-week discipleship training was the members actively participating in and leading the ACN small group activities alternatively each week. They started their own small groups to disciple and evangelize in other situations. Conclusion Based on the data collected from the ACN core team members who participated in this online discipleship program, it was apparent that the participants experienced transformational outcomes. The results of their active participations in the small group discipleship trainings and their leading of the ACN small group activities indicated that this discipleship intervention benefited and motivated the core team members to multiply more discipleship small groups