Tag Archives | 2007

Robert Moore-Jumonville

Satterlee, Thom and Robert Moore-Jumonville. Advent and Christmas Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton: Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with G.K. Chesterton’s Own Words. Liguori, Mo.: Liguori Publications, 2007.

Advent and Christmas WisdomIn this edition of Advent and Christmas Wisdom, each day’s reflection includes a selection from one of Chesterton’s finest works, a suitable bible verse, an appropriate prayer and an action-oriented exercise. Readers will find the format stays the same, but this addition to our bestselling series is truly a refreshing, prayerful preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas.

Thomas Kuntzleman

Swanson, Matthew S., Deborah K. Sayers, and Thomas S. Kuntzleman. “Visualizing the Transition State: A Hands-on Approach to the Arrhenius Equation.Journal of Chemical Education 84, no. 11 (2007): 1776.

Abstract: An exercise is presented in which the kinetics of the irreversible “reaction” of pennies in the heads-up state to pennies in the tails-up state is simulated by a hands-on, Monte Carlo approach. In addition, the exercise incorporates a second simulation in which the irreversible “reaction” of dice with a red face uppermost to a blue face uppermost is conducted. The transition states of the reactions are assumed to be a penny that is in the process of being flipped or a die in the process of being rolled, respectively. Data collected by students who perform these simulations show that both “reactions” follow first-order decay kinetics. Arrhenius plots from these data yield activation energies comparable to assigned values and pre-exponential factors close to what would be expected based on the probability of a “reactant” achieving the correct orientation for conversion into “product”. A comparison of the values obtained for the pre-exponential factors for the different simulations allows students to semi-quantitatively discuss the orientational requirement that is contained within this factor.

Michael Jindra

Jindra, Michael. “Video game worlds.” Society 44, no. 4 (2007): 67-73.

Abstract: The article reports on the writings about the cultural phenomenon and effect of the video game industry. It focuses on the pros and cons of gaming. Debates and arguments related to the topic is also presented. Some of the writers celebrate gaming because it display the powerful combination of entertainment, competition, and technology, while the others add a cautionary note stating that our social and moral aspect are neglected. However, all of them agree that video games is a phenomenon that will have social implications. In relation, an overview of the eletronic game industry’s technological development is offered.

Mary Darling

Campolo, Tony, and Mary Albert Darling. The God of Intimacy and Action: Reconnecting Ancient Spiritual Practices, Evangelism, and Justice. San Franciso: Jossey-Bass, 2007.

The Stem Cell EpistlesThe God of Intimacy and Action reveals how contemplative spiritual practices can lead to greater intimacy with God and fuel passion for reaching out to others, through spreading the Good News and fostering justice for the poor and oppressed. The authors show why this combination is not only crucial but historical: it is vividly demonstrated in the lives of saints such as St Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola and Catherine of Siena.

Campolo and Darling explain mystical spirituality and its practices, and integrate them with evangelism and justice to illuminate what they call ‘holistic Christianity’. They suggest specific ways to nurture and energize one’s spirituality and show how to go beyond living a Christian life that merely emphasizes right beliefs and right behaviours.

Robert Woods

Ebersole, Samuel, and Robert Woods. “Motivations for viewing reality television: a uses and gratification analysis.” Southwestern Mass Communication Journal 23, no. 1 (September 2007): 23-42.

Abstract: This survey research examines motives for viewing Reality TV programs. Employing a uses and gratifications approach, this study found five factors that explain program choice preference: personal identification with real characters, entertainment, mood change, pass time, and vicarious participation. The relationships of the aforementioned factors to viewers’ level of TV viewing, affinity for viewing, perceived realism, and parasocial interaction were examined. The study found that Reality TV viewers expand previous notions of ritualized or instrumental viewing categories identified by earlier TV viewer research, and that the interactive nature of Reality TV programming may contribute to the strong sense of personal identification that many viewers experience.

Michael Buratovich

Amin, Amr, and Michael Buratovich. “The Anti-Cancer Charm of Flavonoids: A Cup-of-Tea Will Do!.” Recent Patents On Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery 2, no. 2 (June 2007): 109-117. doi: 10.2174/157489207780832414

Abstract: Hormone-dependent cancers of the breast, prostate and colon have, in the past decade, become the leading causes of morbidityand mortality. Billions of dollars have been, and still are being spent to study cancers like these, and, in the past three decades, thanks towork by thousands of dedicated scientists, tremendous advancements in the understanding and treatment of cancer have been made. Nevertheless, as there is no sure-fire cure for a variety of cancers to date, natural protection against cancer has been receiving a great deal of attention lately not only from cancer patients but, surprisingly, from physicians as well. Phytoestrogens, plant-derived secondary metabolites, are diphenolic substances with structural similarity to naturally-occurring human steroid hormones. Phytoestrogens are normally divided into three main classes: flavonoids, coumestans and lignans. Flavonoids are found in almost all plant families in the leaves, stems, roots, flowers and seeds of plants and are among the most popular anti-cancer candidates. Flavonoidic derivatives have a wide range of biological actions such as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiallergic activities. Some of these benefits are explained by the potent antioxidant effects of flavonoids, which include metal chelation and free-radical scavenging activities. Patent applications regarding flavonoids range from protocols for extraction and purification from natural resources and the establishment of various biological activities for these extracts to novel methods for the production and isolation of flavonoids with known biological activities. This review will bring the reader up to date on the current knowledge and research available in the field of flavonoids and hormone-dependent cancers, and many of the submitted patents that exploit flavonoids.

David Johnson

Labban, Abdul, Roger Berg, Jian Zhou, David A. Johnson, and Edgar F. Westrum. “Heat capacities and derived thermodynamic properties of lithium, sodium, and potassium disilicates from T =(5 to 350)K in both vitreous and crystalline states.” Journal Of Chemical Thermodynamics 39, no. 7 (July 2007): 991-1000. doi: 10.1016/j.jct.2007.01.001

Abstract: Abstract: Cryogenic heat capacities determined by equilibrium adiabatic calorimetry from T =(6 to 350)K on Li, Na, and K disilicates in both crystalline and vitreous phases are adjusted to end member composition and the vitreous/crystal difference ascertained. The thermophysical properties of these and related phases are estimated, compared, and updated. The values at T =298.15K of {S ∘(T)− S ∘(0)}/R for stoichiometric compositions of alkali disilicate (M2O·2SiO2): vitreous, crystal: Li, 16.30, 14.65; Na, 20.67, 19.47; and K, 23.26, 23.00. Entropy differences confirm greater disorder in the vitreous compounds compared with the crystalline compounds. The entropy data also show that disorder increases with decreasing atomic mass of the alkali ion.

Robert Eells

Eells, Robert J. “Where did the Party Go?: William Jennings Bryan, Hubert Humphrey, and the Jeffersonian Legacy.” Fides Et Historia 39, no. 1 (Winter, 2007): 149-152.

Abstract: “To use a biblical analogy,” according to the author, “one could say that the Democratic Party exchanged its birthright for a mess of pottage” (271). The birthright was true, principled Jeffersonian liberalism-incarnate in the third president and later embodied in Andrew Jackson, Martin VanBuren, and especially in William Jennings Bryan’s evangelical populism. Pottage, on the other hand, was the disastrous direction first taken by Woodrow Wilson, then quickly followed by the Hamiltonian statism of FDR, LBJ, and the author’s particular nemesis, Hubert H. Humphrey.

Robert Woods and Brian Walrath

Woods, Robert, and Brian Walrath. The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007.

The Making of an Ordinary Saint The definitive guide to the meaning of today’s most popular praise and worship songs. Few things influence Christians’ understanding of the faith more than the songs they sing in worship. The explosion of praise and worship music in the last fifteen years has profoundly affected our experience of God. So what are those songs telling us about who God is? In what ways have they made us more faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? In what ways have they failed to embody the full message of the gospel?

Working with the lists of the most frequently sung praise and worship songs from recent years, the authors of this book offer an objective but supportive assessment of the meaning and contribution of the Christian music that has been so important in the lives of contemporary believers.

Martin Covey

Covey, Martin. “Introduction: Work and Families.” Michigan Family Review 12 (2007): 1-6.

Abstract: This issue of Michigan Family Review explores the interface of families and the world of work. Articles include work related topics such as the challenges of long distance commuting and how families have adapted to this form of work. Other articles explore the role of occupational status on leisure activities, and the challenges and adaptive strategies of the work poor in rural areas.