Navigation

Author Archive | Robbie Bolton

David Rawson

By on December 4, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Rawson, David. “Burundi: Burundi: Biography of a Small African Country.” African Studies Review 52, no. 3 (December 2009): 190-191.

Abstract: In its first ten years of independence, the emergent state of Burundi suffered the assassination of two prime ministers, several political massacres, two attempted coups, two successful coups, and in 1972, a revolt in the south followed by state-organized genocide. Except for path-breaking studies by Rene Lemarchand {Rwanda and Burundi [Praeger, 1970] and Burundi: Eth-nocide as Discourse and Practice [Cambridge University Press, 1994]), these events went largely unreported in English-language media and unexplored in scholarly analysis. In 1988 communal violence broke out in the north, followed by another brutal repression. This time, however, pressured by external demands and internal necessity, the military ruler, Pierre Buyoya, engineered a national political accommodation and free elections in 1993, which were won by his opponent, Melchior Ndadaye.

Thomas Kuntzleman

By on October 13, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Kuntzleman, Thomas S., and Alice Haddy. “Fluoride inhibition of photosystem II and the effect of removal of the PsbQ subunit.” Photosynthesis Research 102, no. 1 (2009): 7. doi: 10.1007/s11120-009-9469-4

Abstract: Photosystem II (PSII), the light-absorbing complex of photosynthesis that evolves oxygen, requires chloride for activation of the oxygen evolving complex (OEC). In this study, fluoride was characterized as an inhibitor of Cl–activated oxygen evolution in higher plant PSII. It was confirmed to be primarily a competitive inhibitor in intact PSII, with Cl–competitive inhibition constant Ki = 2 mM and uncompetitive inhibition constant $$ {\text{K}}_{\text{i}}^{\prime } $$ = 79 mM. A pH dependence study showed that fluoride inhibition was more pronounced at lower pH values. In order to determine the location of the fluoride effect, PSII preparations lacking various amounts of the PsbQ subunit were prepared. The competitive F- inhibition constant and the Michaelis constant for Cl- activation increased with loss of the PsbQ subunit, while the uncompetitive F- inhibition constant was relatively insensitive to loss of PsbQ. The S2 state EPR signals from PSII lacking PsbQ responded to Ca2+ and Cl- removal and to F- treatment similar to intact PSII, with enhancement of the g = 4.1 signal and suppression of the multiline signal, but the effects were more pronounced in PSII lacking PsbQ. Together, these results support the interpretation that the PsbQ subunit has a role in retaining anions within the OEC.

Tom Holsinger-Friesen

By on August 1, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Holsinger-Friesen, Thomas. Irenaeus and Genesis: A Study of Competition in Early Christian Hermeneutics. Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns, 2009.

Irenaeus and Genesis Irenaeus, the second-century bishop of Lyons, left such an impression upon the church that he is sometimes considered to be theology’s “founding father.” After all, his legacy includes such theological landmarks as the regula fidei (or “rule of faith”) and the doctrine of recapitulation. Although these ought not to be minimized, we may gain a new appreciation for this early bishop by highlighting a facet of his work that is even more central: the distinctive shape of the hermeneutic guiding his readings of sacred texts as Christian Scripture. Within the contemporary climate of twenty-first century theology, the reopening of questions of power, truth, authenticity, and holism points to a critique of hermeneutical process (not just theological end-product). In Irenaeus’s day, Gnostic Christians on the fringe of the church offered a vision of the telos of faith that many found compelling. Responding to this challenge required Irenaeus to articulate an even more satisfying Christian theology and anthropology on the basis of Scripture and received apostolic tradition. In this battle of hermeneutics, both sides considered protological texts such as Genesis 1:26 and 2:7 to be indispensible. Through a sympathetic reading, then, of Irenaeus and his competitors, we aim to better understand why Irenaeus’s biblical interpretations ultimately were deemed more plausible, faithful, and fruitful within the mainstream of the church

Robert Woods & Diane Badzinski

By on July 16, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Hirdes, Wendy, Robert Woods, and Diane M. Badzinski. “A Content Analysis of Jesus Merchandise.” Journal of Media and Religion 8, no. 3 (2009): 141-157. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15348420903091030.

Abstract: Despite the growing popularity of Jesus merchandise in Christian retailing, little attention has been given to nontraditional religious media such as Jesus merchandise. The present study examined the persuasive appeals associated with various forms of Jesus merchandise and the primary communication functions that such merchandise fit. A content analysis of 982 pieces of Jesus merchandise revealed that informational and “good times” appeals are the two most common appeals used to promote Christianity. Jesus’ name is used in logical or rational appeals designed to change beliefs and promote positive attitudes toward the Christian faith, while Jesus’ image is used in emotional appeals. Edification is the most common communication function that fit Jesus merchandise analyzed in this study, with evangelism and public relations finishing a distant second and third, respectively. Implications of using certain persuasive strategies and associating particular values with Jesus merchandise were considered.

Michael Buratovich

By on May 7, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Amin, Amr, and Michael A. Buratovich. “New Platinum and Ruthenium Complexes – the Latest Class of Potential Chemotherapeutic Drugs – a Review of Recent Developments in the Field.” Mini Reviews In Medicinal Chemistry 9, no. 13 (2009): 1489-1503. doi:  10.2174/138955709790361566

Abstract: New Platinum and Ruthenium complexes display antitumour and antimetastatic potentials and lower host toxicities. This mini-review examines some the more recent developments in this field, and explores their interactions with biologically-relevant species. The article also refers to more recent work in the area of molybdenum and copper(II) chemistry.

Ines Jindra & Michael Jindra

By on May 3, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Jindra, Ines W. and Michael Jindra. “Alien Worlds: Social and Religious Dimensions of Extraterrestrial Contact.” Sociology of Religion 70, no. 2 (Summer, 2009): 200-201.

Here, we found Scott Scribner’s chapter to be especially interesting, since he highlights parallels between religion and these experiences, notably in the area of “interactions with supernatural beings, stmggles between good and evil, encounters with overpowering benevolent (‘light’) forces or malevolent (‘dark’) forces, conversion and reframing of interpretations (belief templates), the notion of being chosen, visions, testimonial evidence, the occasional channeling of otherworldly beings, altered states of consciousness, healing narratives, and apocalyptic pronouncements” (151-152).

Michael Buratovich

By on April 16, 2009 in Faculty Publications

Buratovich, Michael A. “The Evolution Controversy: A Survey of Competing Theories.” Christian Scholar’s Review 38, no. 2 (2009): 301-303.

Abstract: […] the authors state that a prediction of Darwin’s theory was that “nature will preserve even the slightest variation that proves beneficial,” but that “population genetics calculations show that single mutations, even if positive, usually only have a small chance of survival” (57). […] relativistic effects result in billions of years passing in the rest of the universe while only thousands pass near the Earth, which explains how billion-year-old stars and galaxies can exist in a universe only a few thousand years old.\n Several eukaryotic organisms have flagella that do not display the standard 9 + 2 arrangement. […] the book misses a primary problem with alternatives to evolutionary theory scientific assertions must pass through the flames of peer-review and colleague confirmation before they are admitted into a classroom.