A novel strategy for synthesis of hollow gold nanosphere and its application in electrogenerated chemiluminescence glucose biosensor.

PubMed

Zhong, Xia; Chai, Ya-Qin; Yuan, Ruo

2014-10-01

Well-distributed hollow gold nanospheres (Aushell@GOD) (20 ± 5 nm) were synthesized using the glucose oxidase (GOD) cross-linked with glutaraldehyde as a template. A glucose biosensor was prepared based on Aushell@GOD nanospheres for catalyzing luminol electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). Firstly, chitosan was modified in a glassy carbon electrode which offered an interface of abundant amino-groups to assemble Aushell@GOD nanospheres. Then, glucose oxidase was adsorbed on the surface of Aushell@GOD nanospheres via binding interactions between Aushell and amino groups of GOD to construct a glucose biosensor. The Aushell@GOD nanospheres were investigated with TEM and UV-vis. The ECL behaviors of the biosensor were also investigated. Results showed that, the obtained Aushell@GOD nanospheres exhibited excellent catalytic effect towards the ECL of luminol-H2O2 system. The response of the prepared biosensor to glucose was linear with the glucose concentration in the range of 1.0 μM to 4.3mM (R=0.9923) with a detection limit of 0.3 μM (signal to noise=3). This ECL biosensor exhibited short response time and excellent stability for glucose. At the same time the prepared ECL biosensor showed good reproducibility, sensitivity and selectivity. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

How children and adults represent God's mind

PubMed Central

Heiphetz, Larisa; Lane, Jonathan D.; Waytz, Adam; Young, Liane L.

2015-01-01

For centuries, humans have contemplated the minds of gods. Research on religious cognition is spread across sub-disciplines, making it difficult to gain a complete understanding of how people reason about gods' minds. We integrate approaches from cognitive, developmental, and social psychology and neuroscience to illuminate the origins of religious cognition. First, we show that although adults explicitly discriminate supernatural minds from human minds, their implicit responses reveal far less discrimination. Next, we demonstrate that children's religious cognition often matches adults' implicit responses, revealing anthropomorphic notions of God's mind. Together, data from children and adults suggest the intuitive nature of perceiving God's mind as human-like. We then propose three complementary explanations for why anthropomorphism persists in adulthood, suggesting that anthropomorphism may be: 1) an instance of the anchoring and adjustment heuristic; 2) a reflection of early testimony; and/or 3) an evolutionary byproduct. PMID:25807973

High-level expression of the Penicillium notatum glucose oxidase gene in Pichia pastoris using codon optimization.

PubMed

Gao, Zhaowei; Li, Zhuofu; Zhang, Yuhong; Huang, Huoqing; Li, Mu; Zhou, Liwei; Tang, Yunming; Yao, Bin; Zhang, Wei

2012-03-01

The glucose oxidase (GOD) gene from Penicillium notatum was expressed in Pichia pastoris. The 1,815 bp gene, god-w, encodes 604 amino acids. Recombinant GOD-w had optimal activity at 35-40°C and pH 6.2 and was stable, from pH 3 to 7 maintaining >75% maximum activity after incubation at 50°C for 1 h. GOD-w worked as well as commercial GODs to improve bread making. To achieve high-level expression of recombinant GOD in P. pastoris, 272 nucleotides involving 228 residues were mutated, consistent with the codon bias of P. pastoris. The optimized recombinant GOD-m yielded 615 U ml(-1) (2.5 g protein l(-1)) in a 3 l fermentor--410% higher than GOD-w (148 U ml(-1)), and thus is a low-cost alternative for the bread baking industry.

Hospitalized school-age children express ideas, feelings, and behaviors toward God.

PubMed

Ebmeier, C; Lough, M A; Huth, M M; Autio, L

1991-10-01

Several published studies have reported that children are capable of having a relationship with God. There is little documentation of the influence of stressful situations such as hospitalization on this relationship. Twenty-eight hospitalized subjects (8 to 10 years old) were interviewed using a picture and storytelling technique. Three core processes were identified: how children told a story about a hospitalized child; attributes assigned to God; and responses of children to God in an illness situation. The findings suggest that the child's relationship with God could be helpful in coping with the fears and anxieties normally present during hospitalization. The findings also support those of others who found children can view illness as a punishment from God.

Examining the relationship between health locus of control and God Locus of Health Control: Is God an internal or external source?

PubMed

Boyd, Joni M; Wilcox, Sara

2017-11-01

For many people, the influence of believing in a higher power can elicit powerful effects. This study examined the relationship between God control, health locus of control, and frequency of religious attendance within 838 college students through online surveys. Regression analysis showed that chance and external locus of control and frequency of religious attendance were significant and positive predictors of God Locus of Health Control. The association of powerful others external locus of control and God Locus of Health Control differed by race (stronger in non-Whites than Whites) and somewhat by gender (stronger in women than men). For some people, the role of a supreme being, or God, should be considered when designing programs for improving health behaviors.

A journey toward wholeness, a journey to God: physical fitness as embodied spirituality.

PubMed

Greenwood, Tracey C; Delgado, Teresa

2013-09-01

Physical fitness expressed through exercise can be, if done with the right intention, a form of spiritual discipline that reflects the relational love of humanity to God as well as an expression of a healthy love of the embodied self. Through an analysis of the physiological benefits of exercise science applied to the human body, this paper will demonstrate how such attention to the optimal physical fitness of the body, including weight and cardiovascular training and nutrition, is an affirmation of three foundational theological principles of human embodiment: as created in the "imago Dei", as unified body/spirit, and as part of God's creation calling for proper stewardship. In a contemporary climate where women's bodies in particular are viewed through the lens of commodification-as visual objects for sale based on prescribed notions of superficial esthetics and beauty-as well as the consistently high rates of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and obesity, authors Greenwood and Delgado offer a vision of how women and men can imagine a subjective relationship with their own bodies that reflects the abundant love of God for God's creation. Spoken from the lived experience of professional fitness competitor and trainer, as well as trained biokineticist, Dr. Greenwood presents the most current scientific data in the field of biokinetics that grounds the theological analysis offered by Dr. Delgado, whose personal journey through anorexia and scholarly emphasis on Christian theological anthropology inform this work. Taken together, Greenwood and Delgado suggest a response to God's love for humanity, including our physical bodily humanity, which entails a responsibility to attend to the physical fitness of our bodies in order to live into the fullness, flourishing and love of God's creation as God intended.

Image of God, religion, spirituality, and life changes in breast cancer survivors: a qualitative approach.

PubMed

Schreiber, Judith A; Edward, Jean

2015-04-01

Religion and spirituality are much studied coping mechanisms; however, their relationship to changes in behaviors, relationships, and goals is unclear. This study explored the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on religion/faith and changes in behaviors, relationship, or goals. In this qualitative study, women, who participated in a larger, quantitative study, completed written responses to questions regarding the role of religion/faith in their lives, the impact of their diagnosis on their image of God and on faith/religious beliefs, and any changes in behaviors, relationships, or life goals were examined. Based on previous findings noting differences in psychological outcomes based on a higher (HE) or lesser (LE) engaged view of God, 28 (14 HE; 14 LE) women were included in the analysis. Awareness of life and its fleeting nature was common to all. Ensuing behaviors varied from a need to focus on self-improvement-egocentrism (LE)-to a need to focus on using their experiences to help others-altruism (HE). Study results suggest that seemingly small, but highly meaningful, differences based on one's worldview result in considerably different attitudinal and behavioral outcomes.

2006 National Caring Awards. Eleanor Josaitis.

PubMed

2006-11-01

"When God wants to use you, He's going to move you in that direction", says Eleanor Josaitis, cofounder and CEO of Detroit's Focus: HOPE. God said "Go" to Martin Luther King, and he embarked on his march for civil rights. God said "Go" to Mother Teresa, and she began her ministry to the destitute. Ms. Josaitis stalled a bit when her turn came since she had five children and a cozy, suburban home. But God brushed aside her excuses, until she answered His call to improve life for the community in one of America's poorest and most segregated cities.

The spiritual struggle of anger toward God: a study with family members of hospice patients.

PubMed

Exline, Julie J; Prince-Paul, Maryjo; Root, Briana L; Peereboom, Karen S

2013-04-01

Anger toward God is a common form of spiritual struggle, one that people often experience when they see God as responsible for severe harm or suffering. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, correlates, and preferred coping strategies associated with anger toward God among family members of hospice patients. Teams from a large hospice in the midwestern United States distributed surveys, one per household, to family members of home-care patients. The survey assessed feelings toward God (anger/disappointment and positive feelings), depressive symptoms, religiosity, and perceived meaning. Participants also rated their interest in various strategies for coping with conflicts with God. Surveys (n=134) indicated that 43% of participants reported anger/disappointment toward God, albeit usually at low levels of intensity. Anger toward God was associated with more depressive symptoms, lower religiosity, more difficulty finding meaning, and belief that the patient was experiencing greater pain. Prayer was the most highly endorsed strategy for managing conflicts with God. Other commonly endorsed strategies included reading sacred texts; handling the feelings on one's own; and conversations with friends, family, clergy, or hospice staff. Self-help resources and therapy were less popular options. Anger toward God is an important spiritual issue among family members of hospice patients, one that is commonly experienced and linked with depressive symptoms. It is valuable for hospice staff to be informed about the issue of anger toward God, especially because many family members reported interest in talking with hospice team members about such conflicts.

Immobilization of glucose oxidase using CoFe2O4/SiO2 nanoparticles as carrier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hai; Huang, Jun; Wang, Chao; Li, Dapeng; Ding, Liyun; Han, Yun

2011-04-01

Aminated-CoFe2O4/SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared from primary silica particles using modified StÖber method. Glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized on CoFe2O4/SiO2 NPs via cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA). The optimal immobilization condition was achieved with 1% (v/v) GA, cross-linking time of 3 h, solution pH of 7.0 and 0.4 mg GOD (in 3.0 mg carrier). The immobilized GOD showed maximal catalytic activity at pH 6.5 and 40 °C. After immobilization, the GOD exhibited improved thermal, storage and operation stability. The immobilized GOD still maintained 80% of its initial activity after the incubation at 50 °C for 25 min, whereas free enzyme had only 20% of initial activity after the same incubation. After kept at 4 °C for 28 days, the immobilized and free enzyme retained 87% and 40% of initial activity, respectively. The immobilized GOD maintained approximately 57% of initial activity after reused 7 times. The KM (Michaelis-Menten constant) values for immobilized GOD and free GOD were 14.6 mM and 27.1 mM, respectively.

Biosensing of glucose in flow injection analysis system based on glucose oxidase-quantum dot modified pencil graphite electrode.

PubMed

Sağlam, Özlem; Kızılkaya, Bayram; Uysal, Hüseyin; Dilgin, Yusuf

2016-01-15

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor was proposed in flow injection analysis (FIA) system using glucose oxidase (GOD) and Quantum dot (ZnS-CdS) modified Pencil Graphite Electrode (PGE). After ZnS-CdS film was electrochemically deposited onto PGE surface, GOD was immobilized on the surface of ZnS-CdS/PGE through crosslinking with chitosan (CT). A pair of well-defined reversible redox peak of GOD was observed at GOD/CT/ZnS-CdS/PGE based on enzyme electrode by direct electron transfer between the protein and electrode. Further, obtained GOD/CT/ZnS-CdS/PGE offers a disposable, low cost, selective and sensitive electrochemical biosensing of glucose in FIA system based on the decrease of the electrocatalytic response of the reduced form of GOD to dissolved oxygen. Under optimum conditions (flow rate, 1.3mL min(-1); transmission tubing length, 10cm; injection volume, 100μL; and constant applied potential, -500mV vs. Ag/AgCl), the proposed method displayed a linear response to glucose in the range of 0.01-1.0mM with detection limit of 3.0µM. The results obtained from this study would provide the basis for further development of the biosensing using PGE based FIA systems. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Divine intuition: cognitive style influences belief in God.

PubMed

Shenhav, Amitai; Rand, David G; Greene, Joshua D

2012-08-01

Some have argued that belief in God is intuitive, a natural (by-)product of the human mind given its cognitive structure and social context. If this is true, the extent to which one believes in God may be influenced by one's more general tendency to rely on intuition versus reflection. Three studies support this hypothesis, linking intuitive cognitive style to belief in God. Study 1 showed that individual differences in cognitive style predict belief in God. Participants completed the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT; Frederick, 2005), which employs math problems that, although easily solvable, have intuitively compelling incorrect answers. Participants who gave more intuitive answers on the CRT reported stronger belief in God. This effect was not mediated by education level, income, political orientation, or other demographic variables. Study 2 showed that the correlation between CRT scores and belief in God also holds when cognitive ability (IQ) and aspects of personality were controlled. Moreover, both studies demonstrated that intuitive CRT responses predicted the degree to which individuals reported having strengthened their belief in God since childhood, but not their familial religiosity during childhood, suggesting a causal relationship between cognitive style and change in belief over time. Study 3 revealed such a causal relationship over the short term: Experimentally inducing a mindset that favors intuition over reflection increases self-reported belief in God. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing God locus of control as a factor in college students' alcohol use and sexual behavior.

PubMed

Moore, Erin W

2014-01-01

This study explored God locus of control beliefs (i.e., God's control over behavior) regarding their influence on alcohol use and sexual behavior as an alternative religiosity measure to religious behaviors, which does not capture perceived influence of religiosity. Additionally, demographic differences in religious beliefs were explored. College students aged 18-24 (N = 324) completed a survey between April 2012 and March 2013. Principal components and multivariate analyses were conducted. Findings suggest that measures provide reliable, valid data from college students. God locus of control is linked to not consuming alcohol or engaging in sex. There were differences regarding relationship status and religious denomination. God locus of control beliefs are an appropriate construct for collecting data about college students' religiosity. Furthermore, health educators at faith-based institutions could incorporate this construct into their programming, encouraging abstinence but also behaving responsibly for those who do drink and are sexually experienced.

[Traffic accidents during the Roman empire: to go to the doctor o to the god?].

PubMed

Gourevitch, Danielle

2012-01-01

A few pages by Galen and an inscription from Roman Egypt testify to two psychological attitudes towards diseases and accidents: either you feel responsible and go to the doctor, or you think you are in the hands of some god.

Discipleship within the Home

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Mark Edwin

2011-01-01

God considers parents the primary disciplers of their children. He created the family to be the incubator of a teenager's spiritual growth. God has given parents the responsibility of creating an environment suitable for their teen to become a follower of Christ. He also expects parents to maintain the maturation process while their children still…

The House of God : another look.

PubMed

Wear, Delese

2002-06-01

Since its publication in 1978, Samuel Shem's The House of God has sold over two million copies in over 50 countries. While it has remained popular among medical students, its value as a literary text to promote critical reflection on self and profession continues to be unrecognized in professional spheres. In spite of the ongoing conditions in medical training that prompted Shem's satirical novel, The House of God continues to evoke negative responses from academic medicine and has even been dismissed as "dated." This article examines the novel, its reception by academic medicine, and the relevance of its satire through an analyses of articles, reviews, and letters, along with Shem's observations on the novel and its controversies. Finally, the future of The House of God is proposed.

Core Intuitions About Persons Coexist and Interfere With Acquired Christian Beliefs About God.

PubMed

Barlev, Michael; Mermelstein, Spencer; German, Tamsin C

2017-04-01

This study tested the hypothesis that in the minds of adult religious adherents, acquired beliefs about the extraordinary characteristics of God coexist with, rather than replace, an initial representation of God formed by co-option of the evolved person concept. In three experiments, Christian religious adherents were asked to evaluate a series of statements for which core intuitions about persons and acquired Christian beliefs about God were consistent (i.e., true according to both [e.g., "God has beliefs that are true"] or false according to both [e.g., "All beliefs God has are false"]) or inconsistent (i.e., true on intuition but false theologically [e.g., "God has beliefs that are false"] or false on intuition but true theologically [e.g., "All beliefs God has are true"]). Participants were less accurate and slower to respond to inconsistent versus consistent statements, suggesting that the core intuitions both coexisted alongside and interfered with the acquired beliefs (Experiments 1 and 2). In Experiment 2 when responding under time pressure participants were disproportionately more likely to make errors on inconsistent versus consistent statements than when responding with no time pressure, suggesting that the resolution of interference requires cognitive resources the functioning of which decreases under cognitive load. In Experiment 3 a plausible alternative interpretation of these findings was ruled out by demonstrating that the response accuracy and time differences on consistent versus inconsistent statements occur for God-a supernatural religious entity-but not for a natural religious entity (a priest). Copyright © 2016 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Stress and depression among older residents in religious monasteries: do friends and God matter?

PubMed

Bishop, Alex J

2008-01-01

The purpose of this investigation was to explore how friendship and attach-0 ment to God provide protective benefits against stress and depression. Participants included 235 men and women, age 64 and older, residing in religious monasteries affiliated with the Order of St. Benedict. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were completed to assess main and moderating effects of friendship and attachment to God relative to the influence of stress on depressive symptomology. Lower degree of friendship closeness (beta = -.12, p < .10) and greater insecurity with God (beta = -.15, p < .01) were directly associated with greater depressive symptoms. A significant three-way interaction (Stress x Friendship x Attachment to God) also existed relative to depressive symptoms (beta = .14, p < .05). Three "stress-buffering" mechanisms emerged relative to the influence of stress on depressive symptomology. First, a greater degree of friendship closeness in combination with less secure attachment to God represented a greater risk for depressive symptoms. Second, greater friendship closeness in combination with greater secure attachment to God reduced the risk for depressive symptoms. Third, lower degree of friendship closeness combined with less secure attachment to God diminished the noxious effects of stress on depressive symptoms. This has implications relative to how social and spiritual resources can be used to reduce stress and improve quality of life for older adults residing in religious communities.

A Stimuli-Responsive Biosensor of Glucose on Layer-by-Layer Films Assembled through Specific Lectin-Glycoenzyme Recognition.

PubMed

Yao, Huiqin; Gan, Qianqian; Peng, Juan; Huang, Shan; Zhu, Meilin; Shi, Keren

2016-04-20

The research on intelligent bioelectrocatalysis based on stimuli-responsive materials or interfaces is of great significance for biosensors and other bioelectronic devices. In the present work, lectin protein concanavalin A (Con A) and glycoenzyme glucose oxidase (GOD) were assembled into {Con A/GOD}n layer-by-layer (LbL) films by taking advantage of the biospecific lectin-glycoenzyme affinity between them. These film electrodes possess stimuli-responsive properties toward electroactive probes such as ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (Fc(COOH)₂) by modulating the surrounding pH. The CV peak currents of Fc(COOH)₂ were quite large at pH 4.0 but significantly suppressed at pH 8.0, demonstrating reversible stimuli-responsive on-off behavior. The mechanism of stimuli-responsive property of the films was explored by comparative experiments and attributed to the different electrostatic interaction between the films and the probes at different pH. This stimuli-responsive films could be used to realize active/inactive electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose by GOD in the films and mediated by Fc(COOH)₂ in solution, which may establish a foundation for fabricating novel stimuli-responsive electrochemical biosensors based on bioelectrocatalysis with immobilized enzymes.

A Stimuli-Responsive Biosensor of Glucose on Layer-by-Layer Films Assembled through Specific Lectin-Glycoenzyme Recognition

PubMed Central

Yao, Huiqin; Gan, Qianqian; Peng, Juan; Huang, Shan; Zhu, Meilin; Shi, Keren

2016-01-01

The research on intelligent bioelectrocatalysis based on stimuli-responsive materials or interfaces is of great significance for biosensors and other bioelectronic devices. In the present work, lectin protein concanavalin A (Con A) and glycoenzyme glucose oxidase (GOD) were assembled into {Con A/GOD}n layer-by-layer (LbL) films by taking advantage of the biospecific lectin-glycoenzyme affinity between them. These film electrodes possess stimuli-responsive properties toward electroactive probes such as ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (Fc(COOH)2) by modulating the surrounding pH. The CV peak currents of Fc(COOH)2 were quite large at pH 4.0 but significantly suppressed at pH 8.0, demonstrating reversible stimuli-responsive on-off behavior. The mechanism of stimuli-responsive property of the films was explored by comparative experiments and attributed to the different electrostatic interaction between the films and the probes at different pH. This stimuli-responsive films could be used to realize active/inactive electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose by GOD in the films and mediated by Fc(COOH)2 in solution, which may establish a foundation for fabricating novel stimuli-responsive electrochemical biosensors based on bioelectrocatalysis with immobilized enzymes. PMID:27104542

Image of God: effect on coping and psychospiritual outcomes in early breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Schreiber, Judith A

2011-05-01

To examine the effect of breast cancer survivors' views of God on religious coping strategies, depression, anxiety, stress, concerns about recurrence, and psychological well-being. Exploratory, cross-sectional, comparative survey. Outpatients from community and university oncology practices in the southeastern United States. 130 early breast cancer survivors (6-30 months postdiagnosis). Self-report written survey packets were mailed to practice-identified survivors. Image of God, religious coping strategies, depression, anxiety, stress, concerns about recurrence, and psychological well-being. Women who viewed God as highly engaged used more coping strategies to promote spiritual conservation in proportion to coping strategies that reflect spiritual struggle. Women who viewed God as highly engaged maintained psychological well-being when either spiritual conservation or spiritual struggle coping styles were used. No differences in variables were noted for women who viewed God as more or less angry. The belief in an engaged God is significantly related to increased psychological well-being, decreased psychological distress, and decreased concern about recurrence. Addressing survivors' issues related to psychological adjustment and concern about recurrence within their world view would allow for more personalized and effective interventions. Future research should be conducted to establish how the view that God is engaged affects coping and psychological adjustment across diverse groups of cancer survivors and groups with monotheistic, polytheistic, and naturalistic world views. This could lead to a practical method for examining the influence of these world views on individuals' responses to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

General optical discrete z transform: design and application.

PubMed

Ngo, Nam Quoc

2016-12-20

This paper presents a generalization of the discrete z transform algorithm. It is shown that the GOD-ZT algorithm is a generalization of several important conventional discrete transforms. Based on the GOD-ZT algorithm, a tunable general optical discrete z transform (GOD-ZT) processor is synthesized using the silica-based finite impulse response transversal filter. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, the design and simulation of a tunable optical discrete Fourier transform (ODFT) processor as a special case of the synthesized GOD-ZT processor is presented. It is also shown that the ODFT processor can function as a real-time optical spectrum analyzer. The tunable ODFT has an important potential application as a tunable optical demultiplexer at the receiver end of an optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing transmission system.

Faith Pinnacle Moments: Stress, Miraculous Experiences, and Life Satisfaction in Young Adulthood

PubMed Central

Manglos, Nicolette D.

2013-01-01

Religious beliefs often persist among unaffiliated young adults, and certain beliefs about God have been shown to support subjective well-being. Yet we know much less about the persistence or psychological impact of religious experiences, specifically miracles from God. I conceive of such experiences as faith pinnacle moments which express and reinvigorate the individual's reciprocal bond with God, frequently occur in response to certain types of stress, and support well-being by solidifying one's sense of that bond. My results show that net of institutional religiosity, young adults who experience stress from traumas are more likely to report miracles. This suggests that these reports often refer to healings or similar interventions. Stress from family breakups, however, is negatively correlated with miracles, presumably since these disruptions damage the bond with God due to the established connection between parental relationships and perceived relationship with God. Finally, miracles are positively correlated with life satisfaction and partially protect against the negative effects of stress on life satisfaction. PMID:23990701

Bishops reaffirm Humanae Vitae as "the authentic and constant teaching of the Magisterium".

PubMed

1993-01-01

The US National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities reaffirm the 25-year old "Humanae Vitae." According to the secular world, sexual intercourse is a natural response to human instinct and need and contraception is a means to separate sexual intercourse from unwanted pregnancy and to free people from religious teachings. The true nature of human sexuality is understanding of human life and the human spirit. Sexual intercourse cannot be disconnected from the nature and dignity of human life and the means by which life is conveyed. The foundation of this encyclical is natural law as revealed by God. The Catholic church upholds this law through its teachings. Sexual intercourse is a couple's dignified expression of love for one another. Marital love reflects God's love, so marriage leads to union with God. Love between spouses stabilizes marriage and allows couples to make responsible decisions about birth spacing and family size. They celebrate their love via sexual intercourse and are open to life each time they have intercourse. There are 2 inseparable goods of marital intercourse: procreation and strengthening of interpersonal unity. Married couples want to share their life and love in creating new life and building a family . Parenthood is both a privilege and responsibility. Each child is a child of God with invaluable dignity who God calls to fulfill his/her human destiny and to be active in the Church's mission. Responsible parenthood intimates openness to life. Parents should be free to make family planning decisions while considering their duty to God, themselves, family, and society. Unproven claims about population growth and cultural attitudes debasing the value of children comprise the couple's freedom. Nonmarital cohabitation, abortion, illegitimate pregnancy, and divorce reflect confusion over human sexuality. The family is the basic unit of society. Natural family planning allows couples to have a richer appreciation of human sexuality and of their own relationship and enhances their openness to childbearing. The Bishops renew their commitment to respect for human life.

An electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin detection based on direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase using a functionalized graphene hybrid for amplification.

PubMed

Bai, Lijuan; Yan, Bin; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Ruo; Yuan, Yali; Xie, Shunbi; Jiang, Liping; He, Ying

2013-11-07

In this work, we reported a new label-free electrochemical aptasensor for highly sensitive detection of thrombin using direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOD) as a redox probe and a gold nanoparticle-polyaniline-graphene (Au-PANI-Gra) hybrid for amplification. The Au-PANI-Gra hybrid with large surface area provided a biocompatible sensing platform for the immobilization of GOD. GOD was encapsulated into the three-dimensional netlike (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPTS) to form the MPTS-GOD biocomposite, which not only retained the native functions and properties, but also exhibited tunable porosity, high thermal stability, and chemical inertness. With abundant thiol tail groups on MPTS, MPTS-GOD was able to chemisorb onto the surface of the Au-PANI-Gra modified electrode through the strong affinity of the Au-S bond. The electrochemical signal originated from GOD, avoiding the addition or labeling of other redox mediators. After immobilizing the thiolated thrombin binding aptamer through gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), GOD as a blocking reagent was employed to block the remaining active sites of the AuNPs and avoid the nonspecific adsorption. The proposed method avoided the labeling process of redox probes and increased the amount of electroactive GOD. The concentration of thrombin was monitored based on the decrease of current response through cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.1 M PBS (pH 7.4). With the excellent direct electron transfer of double layer GOD membranes, the resulting aptasensor exhibited high sensitivity for detection of thrombin with a wide linear range from 1.0 × 10(-12) to 3.0 × 10(-8) M. The proposed aptasensor also showed good stability, satisfactory reproducibility and high specificity, which provided a promising strategy for electrochemical aptamer-based detection of other biomolecules.

Direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase and glucose biosensing on a hydroxyl fullerenes modified glassy carbon electrode.

PubMed

Gao, Yun-Fei; Yang, Tian; Yang, Xiao-Lu; Zhang, Yu-Shuai; Xiao, Bao-Lin; Hong, Jun; Sheibani, Nader; Ghourchian, Hedayatollah; Hong, Tao; Moosavi-Movahedi, Ali Akbar

2014-10-15

Direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD) was achieved when GOD-hydroxyl fullerenes (HFs) nano-complex was immobilized on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode and protected with a chitosan (Chit) membrane. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrometry (UV-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and circular dichroism spectropolarimeter (CD) methods were utilized for additional characterization of the GOD, GOD-HFs and Chit/GOD-HFs. Chit/HFs may preserve the secondary structure and catalytic properties of GOD. The cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the modified GC electrode showed a pair of well-defined quasi-reversible redox peaks with the formal potential (E°') of 353 ± 2 mV versus Ag/AgCl at a scan rate of 0.05 V/s. The heterogeneous electron transfer constant (ks) was calculated to be 2.7 ± 0.2s(-1). The modified electrode response to glucose was linear in the concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 1.0mM, with a detection limit of 5 ± 1 μM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km(app)) was 694 ± 8 μM. Thus, the modified electrode could be applied as a third generation biosensor for glucose with high sensitivity, selectivity and low detection limit. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Representational coexistence in the God concept: Core knowledge intuitions of God as a person are not revised by Christian theology despite lifelong experience.

PubMed

Barlev, Michael; Mermelstein, Spencer; German, Tamsin C

2018-01-25

Previous research has shown that in the minds of young adult religious adherents, acquired theology about the extraordinary characteristics of God (e.g., omniscience) coexists with, rather than replaces, an initial concept of God formed by co-option of the person concept. We tested the hypothesis that representational coexistence holds even after extensive experience with Christian theology, as indexed by age. Christian religious adherents ranging in age from 18 to 87 years were asked to evaluate as true or false statements on which core knowledge intuitions about persons and Christian theology about God were consistent (both true or both false) or inconsistent (true on one and false on the other). Results showed, across adulthood, more theological errors in evaluating inconsistent versus consistent statements. Older adults also exhibited slower response times to inconsistent versus consistent statements. These findings show that despite extensive experience, indeed a lifetime of experience for some participants, the Christian theological God concept does not separate from the initial person concept from which it is formed. In fact, behavioral signatures of representational coexistence were not attenuated by experience. We discuss the broader implications of these findings to the acquisition of evolutionarily new concepts.

Reading the Bible for guidance, comfort, and strength during stressful life events.

PubMed

Hamilton, Jill B; Moore, Angelo D; Johnson, Khishaana A; Koenig, Harold G

2013-01-01

The use of religious practices to promote mental health among African Americans is well documented. African Americans are more likely to report strong religious affiliations and to use religion over prescribed medications for mental health problems. However, few studies have explored how African Americans use religious practices in response to stressful life events. The aim of this study is to examine how African American women and men find comfort in using scripture passages from The Bible. Fifty-four African American adults residing in the Southeastern United States participated in a qualitative descriptive study using open-ended semistructured interviews. Participants were asked to describe their use of scripture passages from The Bible and the personal meanings associated with these scriptures in the context of a family death or life-threatening illness. These participants used scripture passages categorized as God as Protector, God as Beneficent, Praise and Thanksgiving, God as Healer, Memory of Forefathers, Prayers to God, and Life after Death. Few gender differences were noted. However, women were more likely to use scripture passages of God as Protector and Life after Death, whereas men were more likely to use God as Beneficent and God as Healer. The religious practice of reading scripture passages from The Bible is a mental health-promoting strategy used during stressful life events. The findings of this study have practical uses for nurses and can be used to inform acceptable and sensitive approaches in addressing mental health issues and spiritual care needs in African American patients.

God-mother-baby: what children think they know.

PubMed

Kiessling, Florian; Perner, Josef

2014-01-01

This study tested one hundred and nine 3- to 6-year-old children on a knowledge-ignorance task about knowledge in humans (mother, baby) and God. In their responses, participants not reliably grasping that seeing leads to knowing in humans (pre-representational) were significantly influenced by own knowledge and marginally by question format. Moreover, knowledge was attributed significantly more often to mother than baby and explained by agent-based characteristics. Of participants mastering the task for humans (representational), God was largely conceived as ignorant "man in the sky" by younger and increasingly as "supernatural agent in the sky" by older children. Evidence for egocentrism and for anthropomorphizing God lends support to an anthropomorphism hypothesis. First-time evidence for an agent-based conception of others' knowledge in pre-representational children is presented. © 2013 The Authors. Child Development © 2013 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

Psychological responses to terminal illness and eventual death in Koreans with cancer.

PubMed

Kang, Kyung-Ah; Miller, Jean R; Lee, Won-Hee

2006-01-01

This qualitative study describes the psychological responses of Korean participants with terminal cancer (stages III-IV) from time of diagnosis to death. Eighteen participants, ages 48 to 73, were interviewed at various phases of dying. Using analytic induction, three categories (nonacceptance, resignation, submission), characteristic patterns of responses over the course of illness and typical responses within categories were generated. Nonaccepters denied the possibility of death while struggling to live; their typical response was resistance. Resigners displayed sorrow, thoughts about their destiny, and growing acceptance of their fate. Their typical response was nonresistance. Submitters were shocked initially, searched for God's will, and prepared for death with hope. Their typical response was hopeful that God would care for them and their families. Participants' ages, physical pain, burden to family, and beliefs played important roles in the patterns of responses.

Highly religious participants recruit areas of social cognition in personal prayer.

PubMed

Schjoedt, Uffe; Stødkilde-Jørgensen, Hans; Geertz, Armin W; Roepstorff, Andreas

2009-06-01

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate how performing formalized and improvised forms of praying changed the evoked BOLD response in a group of Danish Christians. Distinct from formalized praying and secular controls, improvised praying activated a strong response in the temporopolar region, the medial prefrontal cortex, the temporo-parietal junction and precuneus. This finding supports our hypothesis that religious subjects, who consider their God to be 'real' and capable of reciprocating requests, recruit areas of social cognition when they pray. We argue that praying to God is an intersubjective experience comparable to 'normal' interpersonal interaction.

Religious faith in Mexican-American families dealing with chronic childhood illness.

PubMed

Rehm, R S

1999-01-01

To explore Mexican-American family experiences with chronic childhood illness, from the perspective of parents, and report findings about the influence of religious faith on families' spiritual and secular responses to illness. Mexican-Americans are often characterized as religious, fatalistic, and passive, but families' perceptions of the consequences of their daily faith and its meaning in the face of chronic childhood illness is not well understood. Descriptive. The sample included 25 parents from 19 families living with children with a variety of chronic conditions. Data were collected in 1995-1996. Interpretive, using symbolic interaction as the framework, and in-depth interviewing for data collection. Parents professed a variety of beliefs and devotional practices. Six unifying dimensions of religious faith were related to parental caretaking and decision making for the family: (a) God determined the outcome of the child's illness, (b) God and health care for the child were closely linked, (c) parents took an active role in facilitating God's will, (d) families had obligations to God, (e) intercession with God by others was often sought by or offered to the family, and (f) faith encouraged optimism. Families were not fatalistic in the sense of feeling outcomes were predetermined and unalterable. Family members took spiritual and secular actions to assure the best possible familial and professional care for their child and sought to influence God's good will on behalf of the child and family.

Preparation of Glucose Sensor Using Polydimethylsiloxane / Polypyrrole Complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yasuzawa, Mikito; Inoue, Shigeru; Imai, Shinji

New glucose oxidase (GOD) immobilized glucose sensors were prepared by the electropolymerization of 1-(6-D-gluconamidohexyl) pyrrole (GHP) on the platinum wire electrode precoated with the mixture solution of pyrrole derivative GHP, polydimethylsiloxane (PDS) and Nafion. The addition of Nafion into the precoating mixture solution was essential to obtain suitable sensor sensitivity. However, the sensitivity was about the half of that of the electrode without PDS precoating. Although, the introduction of Nafion was effective to improve the long-term stability of the enzyme-immobilized electrode, the electrode prepared using Nafion, PDS and GHP performed excellent long-term stability even at the measurement and storage temperatures of 40°C. Relatively constant response current was obtained over 30 days under the condition of 40°C and over 9 months measured at 25°C. Moreover, the GOD-immobilized GHP polymer film prepared on the electrode precoated with GHP, PDS and Nafion solution, was found to have excellent hemocompatibility from the result of platelet rich plasma contacting test.

Immobilization and direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase on a tetragonal pyramid-shaped porous ZnO nanostructure for a glucose biosensor.

PubMed

Dai, Zhihui; Shao, Guojian; Hong, Jianmin; Bao, Jianchun; Shen, Jian

2009-01-01

A tetragonal pyramid-shaped porous ZnO (TPSP-ZnO) nanostructure is used for the immobilization, direct electrochemistry and biosensing of proteins. The prepared ZnO has a large surface area and good biocompatibility. Using glucose oxidase (GOD) as a model, this shaped ZnO is tested for immobilization of proteins and the construction of electrochemical biosensors with good electrochemical performances. The interaction between GOD and TPSP-ZnO is examined by using AFM, N(2) adsorption isotherms and electrochemical methods. The immobilized GOD at a TPSP-ZnO-modified glassy carbon electrode shows a good direct electrochemical behavior, which depends on the properties of the TPSP-ZnO. Based on a decrease of the electrocatalytic response of the reduced form of GOD to dissolved oxygen, the proposed biosensor exhibits a linear response to glucose concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 8.2mM with a detection limit of 0.01mM at an applied potential of -0.50V which has better biosensing properties than those from other morphological ZnO nanoparticles. The biosensor shows good stability, reproducibility, low interferences and can diagnose diabetes very fast and sensitively. Such the TPSP-ZnO nanostructure provides a good matrix for protein immobilization and biosensor preparation.

Glucose oxidase immobilization on different modified surfaces of platinum nanowire for application in glucose detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thanh Tuyen Le, Thi; Duy Tran, Phu; Pham, Xuan Tung; Hien Tong, Duy; Chien Dang, Mau

2010-09-01

In this work, the surface of platinum (Pt) nanowires was modified by using several chemicals, including a compound of gelatin gel with SiO2, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with Prussian blue (PB) mediator and cysteamine self-assembled monolayers (SAM). Then, glucose oxidase (GOD) enzyme was immobilized on the modified surfaces of Pt nanowire electrodes by using techniques of electrochemical adsorption and chemical binding. The GOD immobilized Pt nanowires were used for application in glucose detection by performing a cyclic voltammetry measurement. The detection results showed that GOD was immobilized on all of the tested surfaces and the highest glucose detection sensitivity of 60 μM was obtained when the Pt nanowires were modified by PVA with PB mediator. Moreover, the sensors showed very high current response when the Pt nanowires were modified with the cysteamine SAM. The stability and catalyst activity of GOD are also reported here. For instance, the catalyst activity of GOD retained about 60% of its initial value after it was stored at 4 °C in a 100 mM PBS buffer solution with a pH of 7.2 for a period of 30 days.

Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembling Gold Nanorods and Glucose Oxidase onto Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized Sol-Gel Matrix for an Amperometric Glucose Biosensor.

PubMed

Wu, Baoyan; Hou, Shihua; Miao, Zhiying; Zhang, Cong; Ji, Yanhong

2015-09-18

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor was fabricated by layer-by-layer self-assembly of gold nanorods (AuNRs) and glucose oxidase (GOD) onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-functionalized three-dimensional sol-gel matrix. A thiolated aqueous silica sol containing SWCNTs was first assembled on the surface of a cleaned Au electrode, and then the alternate self-assembly of AuNRs and GOD were repeated to assemble multilayer films of AuNRs-GOD onto SWCNTs-functionalized silica gel for optimizing the biosensor. Among the resulting glucose biosensors, the four layers of AuNRs-GOD-modified electrode showed the best performance. The sol-SWCNTs-(AuNRs- GOD)₄/Au biosensor exhibited a good linear range of 0.01-8 mM glucose, high sensitivity of 1.08 μA/mM, and fast amperometric response within 4 s. The good performance of the proposed glucose biosensor could be mainly attributed to the advantages of the three-dimensional sol-gel matrix and stereo self-assembly films, and the natural features of one-dimensional nanostructure SWCNTs and AuNRs. This study may provide a new facile way to fabricate the enzyme-based biosensor with high performance.

An aptamer-based biosensing platform for highly sensitive detection of platelet-derived growth factor via enzyme-mediated direct electrochemistry.

PubMed

Deng, Kun; Xiang, Yang; Zhang, Liqun; Chen, Qinghai; Fu, Weiling

2013-01-08

In this work, a new label-free electrochemical aptamer-based sensor (aptasensor) was constructed for detection of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) based on the direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD). For this proposed aptasensor, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-protected graphene-gold nanoparticles (P-Gra-GNPs) composite was firstly coated on electrode surface to form the interface with biocompatibility and huge surface area for the adsorption of GOD layer. Subsequently, gold nanoclusters (GNCs) were deposited on the surface of GOD to capture PDGF binding aptamer (PBA). Finally, GOD as a blocking reagent was employed to block the remaining active sites of the GNCs and avoid the nonspecific adsorption. With the direct electron transfer of double layer GOD membranes, the aptasensor showed excellent electrochemical response and the peak current decreased linearly with increasing logarithm of PDGF concentration from 0.005 nM to 60 nM with a relatively low limit of detection of 1.7 pM. The proposed aptasensor exhibited high specificity, good reproducibility and long-term stability, which provided a new promising technique for aptamer-based protein detection. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Amplified cathodic electrochemiluminescence of luminol based on Pd and Pt nanoparticles and glucose oxidase decorated graphene as trace label for ultrasensitive detection of protein.

PubMed

Cao, Yaling; Yuan, Ruo; Chai, Yaqin; Liu, Huijing; Liao, Yuhong; Zhuo, Ying

2013-09-15

An ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was constructed for ultrasensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) based on an amplified cathodic ECL of luminol at low potential. Firstly, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) were electrodeposited onto single walled carbon nanotube-graphene composites (CNTs-Gra) coated glass carbon electrode (GCE) with enhanced surface area and good biocompatibility to capture primary antibody (Ab1) and then bind the antigen analytes. Secondly, Pd and Pt nanoparticles (Pd&PtNPs) decorated reduced graphene oxide (Pd&PtNPs@rGO) and glucose oxidase (GOD) labeled secondary antibody (Pd&PtNPs@ rGO-GOD-Ab2) could be captured onto the electrode surface by a sandwich immunoassay protocol to generate amplified cathodic ECL signals of luminol in the presence of glucose. The Pd&PtNPs@rGO composites and loaded GOD promoted luminol cathodic ECL response by efficiently catalyzing glucose to in-situ produce amount of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) working as a coreactant of luminol. Then in turn Pd&PtNPs catalyzed H2O2 to generate various reactive oxygen species (ROSs), which accelerated the cathodic ECL reaction of luminol, enhanced the cathodic ECL intensity of luminol and improved the sensitivity of the immunosensor. The as-proposed ECL immunosensor exhibited sensitive response on the detection of CEA ranging from 0.0001 ng mL(-1) to 160 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.03 pg mL(-1) (S/N=3). Moreover, the stability, specificity, lifetime and reproducibility tests demonstrated the feasibility of the developed immunoassay, which can be further extended to the detection of other disease biomarkers. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Outsourcing punishment to God: beliefs in divine control reduce earthly punishment

PubMed Central

Laurin, Kristin; Shariff, Azim F.; Henrich, Joseph; Kay, Aaron C.

2012-01-01

The sanctioning of norm-transgressors is a necessary—though often costly—task for maintaining a well-functioning society. Prior to effective and reliable secular institutions for punishment, large-scale societies depended on individuals engaging in ‘altruistic punishment’—bearing the costs of punishment individually, for the benefit of society. Evolutionary approaches to religion suggest that beliefs in powerful, moralizing Gods, who can distribute rewards and punishments, emerged as a way to augment earthly punishment in large societies that could not effectively monitor norm violations. In five studies, we investigate whether such beliefs in God can replace people's motivation to engage in altruistic punishment, and their support for state-sponsored punishment. Results show that, although religiosity generally predicts higher levels of punishment, the specific belief in powerful, intervening Gods reduces altruistic punishment and support for state-sponsored punishment. Moreover, these effects are specifically owing to differences in people's perceptions that humans are responsible for punishing wrongdoers. PMID:22628465

Assessing the Relationships Among Forgiveness by God, God Images, and Death Anxiety.

PubMed

Krause, Neal; Hill, Peter C

2018-01-01

Previous research suggests that people who feel forgiven by God may experience lower levels of death anxiety. The purpose of the current study is to contribute to this work by assessing whether the relationship between forgiveness by God and death anxiety varies according to how people view God. Three images of God are assessed: a pantheistic view of God, a theistic view of God, and a deistic view of God. Data from nationwide survey that was conducted in 2014 ( N = 2,650) suggest that the relationship between forgiveness by God and death anxiety is strongest among people with a theistic view of God, significantly weaker among people with a pantheistic view of God, and not significant among individuals with a deistic view of God. The findings point to the importance of taking views of God into account when assessing the relationship between forgiveness by God and death anxiety.

Playing God in Frankenstein's Footsteps: Synthetic Biology and the Meaning of Life.

PubMed

van den Belt, Henk

2009-12-01

The emergent new science of synthetic biology is challenging entrenched distinctions between, amongst others, life and non-life, the natural and the artificial, the evolved and the designed, and even the material and the informational. Whenever such culturally sanctioned boundaries are breached, researchers are inevitably accused of playing God or treading in Frankenstein's footsteps. Bioethicists, theologians and editors of scientific journals feel obliged to provide an authoritative answer to the ambiguous question of the 'meaning' of life, both as a scientific definition and as an explication with wider existential connotations. This article analyses the arguments mooted in the emerging societal debates on synthetic biology and the way its practitioners respond to criticism, mostly by assuming a defiant posture or professing humility. It explores the relationship between the 'playing God' theme and the Frankenstein motif and examines the doctrinal status of the 'playing God' argument. One particularly interesting finding is that liberal theologians generally deny the religious character of the 'playing God' argument-a response which fits in with the curious fact that this argument is used mainly by secular organizations. Synthetic biology, it is therefore maintained, does not offend so much the God of the Bible as a deified Nature. While syntheses of artificial life forms cause some vague uneasiness that life may lose its special meaning, most concerns turn out to be narrowly anthropocentric. As long as synthetic biology creates only new microbial life and does not directly affect human life, it will in all likelihood be considered acceptable.

Highly religious participants recruit areas of social cognition in personal prayer

PubMed Central

Stødkilde-Jørgensen, Hans; Geertz, Armin W.; Roepstorff, Andreas

2009-01-01

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate how performing formalized and improvised forms of praying changed the evoked BOLD response in a group of Danish Christians. Distinct from formalized praying and secular controls, improvised praying activated a strong response in the temporopolar region, the medial prefrontal cortex, the temporo-parietal junction and precuneus. This finding supports our hypothesis that religious subjects, who consider their God to be ‘real’ and capable of reciprocating requests, recruit areas of social cognition when they pray. We argue that praying to God is an intersubjective experience comparable to ‘normal’ interpersonal interaction. PMID:19246473

The clash of Gods: changes in a patient's use of God representations.

PubMed

Lamothe, Ryan

2009-01-01

In this article, I argue that manifest and latent intrapsychic and interpersonal clashes of god representations, which are inextricably yoked to transference and countertransference communications, signify the patient's and therapist's personal realities and histories. More specifically, the therapist's conscious (relatively speaking) commitment to a god representation will not only shape his/her analytic attitude-as well as interpretations and noninterpretive interventions-it may also be implicated in a patient altering his/her use of god representations. I suggest further that one way to understand the process of psychoanalytic therapy is how both analyst and analysand tacitly face and answer the following questions: What God(s) orients my life and relationships? What God(s) represents subjugation, fear, and the loss of freedom? What God(s) have I repressed? What God(s) represents the possibility and experience of being alive and real with others? In the end, what God(s) will I choose to serve, to surrender to?

An integrated bienzyme glucose oxidase-fructose dehydrogenase-tetrathiafulvalene-3-mercaptopropionic acid-gold electrode for the simultaneous determination of glucose and fructose.

PubMed

Campuzano, Susana; Loaiza, Oscar A; Pedrero, María; de Villena, F Javier Manuel; Pingarrón, José M

2004-06-01

A bienzyme biosensor for the simultaneous determination of glucose and fructose was developed by coimmobilising glucose oxidase (GOD), fructose dehydrogenase (FDH), and the mediator, tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde atop a 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a gold disk electrode (AuE). The performance of this bienzyme electrode under batch and flow injection (FI) conditions, as well as an amperometric detection in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), are reported. The order of enzyme immobilisation atop the MPA-SAM affected the biosensor amperometric response in terms of sensitivity, with the immobilisation order GOD, FDH, TTF being selected. Similar analytical characteristics to those obtained with single GOD or FDH SAM-based biosensors for glucose and fructose were achieved with the bienzyme electrode, indicating that no noticeable changes in the biosensor responses to the analytes occurred as a consequence of the coimmobilisation of both enzymes on the same MPA-AuE. The suitability of the bienzyme biosensor for the analysis of real samples under flow injection conditions was tested by determining glucose in two certified serum samples. The simultaneous determination of glucose and fructose in the same sample cannot be performed without a separation step because at the detection potential used (+0.10 V), both sugars show amperometric response. Consequently, HPLC with amperometric detection at the TTF-FDH-GOD-MPA-AuE was accomplished. Glucose and fructose were simultaneously determined in honey, cola softdrink, and commercial apple juice, and the results were compared with those obtained by using other reference methods.

Chitosan coated on the layers' glucose oxidase immobilized on cysteamine/Au electrode for use as glucose biosensor.

PubMed

Zhang, Yawen; Li, Yunqiu; Wu, Wenjian; Jiang, Yuren; Hu, Biru

2014-10-15

A glucose biosensor was developed via direct immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) by self-assembled cysteamine monolayer on Au electrode surface followed by coating chitosan on the surface of electrode. In this work, chitosan film was coated on the surface of GOD as a protection film to ensure the stability and biocompatibility of the constructed glucose biosensor. The different application ranges of sensors were fabricated by immobilizing varied layers of GOD. The modified surface film was characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the fabrication process of the biosensor was confirmed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of ferrocyanide. The performance of cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the absence and presence of 25 mM glucose and ferrocenemethanol showed a diffusion-controlled electrode process and reflected the different maximum currents between the different GOD layers. With the developed glucose biosensor, the detection limits of the two linear responses are 49.96 μM and 316.8 μM with the sensitivities of 8.91 μA mM(-1)cm(-2) and 2.93 μA mM(-1)cm(-2), respectively. In addition, good stability (up to 30 days) of the developed biosensor was observed. The advantages of this new method for sensors construction was convenient and different width ranges of detection can be obtained by modified varied layers of GOD. The sensor with two layers of enzyme displayed two current linear responses of glucose. The present work provided a simplicity and novelty method for producing biosensors, which may help design enzyme reactors and biosensors in the future. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Glucose biosensor from covalent immobilization of chitosan-coupled carbon nanotubes on polyaniline-modified gold electrode.

PubMed

Wan, Dong; Yuan, Shaojun; Li, G L; Neoh, K G; Kang, E T

2010-11-01

An amperometric glucose biosensor was prepared using polyaniline (PANI) and chitosan-coupled carbon nanotubes (CS-CNTs) as the signal amplifiers and glucose oxidase (GOD) as the glucose detector on a gold electrode (the Au-g-PANI-c-(CS-CNTs)-GOD biosensor). The PANI layer was prepared via oxidative graft polymerization of aniline from the gold electrode surface premodified by self-assembled monolayer of 4-aminothiophenol. CS-CNTs were covalently coupled to the PANI-modified gold substrate using glutaradehyde as a bifunctional linker. GOD was then covalently bonded to the pendant hydroxyl groups of chitosan using 1,4-carbonyldiimidazole as the bifunctional linker. The surface functionalization processes were ascertained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images of the Au-g-PANI-c-(CS-CNTs) electrode revealed the formation of a three-dimensional surface network structure. The electrode could thus provide a more spatially biocompatible microenvironment to enhance the amount and biocatalytic activity of the immobilized enzyme and to better mediate the electron transfer. The resulting Au-g-PANI-c-(CS-CNTs)-GOD biosensor exhibited a linear response to glucose in the concentration range of 1-20 mM, good sensitivity (21 μA/(mM·cm(2))), good reproducibility, and retention of >80% of the initial response current after 2 months of storage.

Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembling Gold Nanorods and Glucose Oxidase onto Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized Sol-Gel Matrix for an Amperometric Glucose Biosensor

PubMed Central

Wu, Baoyan; Hou, Shihua; Miao, Zhiying; Zhang, Cong; Ji, Yanhong

2015-01-01

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor was fabricated by layer-by-layer self-assembly of gold nanorods (AuNRs) and glucose oxidase (GOD) onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-functionalized three-dimensional sol-gel matrix. A thiolated aqueous silica sol containing SWCNTs was first assembled on the surface of a cleaned Au electrode, and then the alternate self-assembly of AuNRs and GOD were repeated to assemble multilayer films of AuNRs-GOD onto SWCNTs-functionalized silica gel for optimizing the biosensor. Among the resulting glucose biosensors, the four layers of AuNRs-GOD-modified electrode showed the best performance. The sol-SWCNTs-(AuNRs-GOD)4/Au biosensor exhibited a good linear range of 0.01–8 mM glucose, high sensitivity of 1.08 μA/mM, and fast amperometric response within 4 s. The good performance of the proposed glucose biosensor could be mainly attributed to the advantages of the three-dimensional sol-gel matrix and stereo self-assembly films, and the natural features of one-dimensional nanostructure SWCNTs and AuNRs. This study may provide a new facile way to fabricate the enzyme-based biosensor with high performance. PMID:28347080

Images of God and attitudes towards death in relation to spiritual wellbeing: an exploratory side study of the EORTC QLQ-SWB32 validation study in palliative cancer patients.

PubMed

Kruizinga, Renske; Scherer-Rath, Michael; Schilderman, Johannes B A M; Weterman, Mariëtte; Young, Teresa; van Laarhoven, Hanneke W M

2017-12-08

When patients are facing the ends of their lives, spiritual concerns often become more important. It is argued that effective, integrated palliative care should include addressing patients' spiritual wellbeing. In 2002 the EORTC Quality of Life Group began an international study to develop an spiritual wellbeing measure for palliative patients (SWB). Spiritual wellbeing is a complex construct, which comprises multiple contributory components. While conducting the EORTC SWB validation study with Dutch palliative cancer patients we also conducted an exploratory side study to examine the relationship between their spiritual wellbeing, images of God, and attitudes towards death. Patients with incurable cancer who were able to understand Dutch and were well enough to participate, completed the provisional SWB measure and two scales assessing "Images of God" and "attitudes towards death and afterlife". Linear stepwise regression analysis was conducted to assess the relation between SWB and other factors. Fifty two Dutch patients, 28 females and 24 males, participated. The whole SWB measure validation identified four scoring scales: Existential (EX), Relationship with Self (RS), Relationships with Others (RO), Relationship with Something Greater (RSG) and Relationship with God (RG, for believers only). Adherence to an image of an Unknowable God and a worse WHO performance status were negatively associated with the EX scale. The image of an Unknowable God was also found to be negatively associated with the RS scale. Higher education correlated positively with the RO scale. Adherence to a Personal or Non-Personal Image of God was not found to be positively influencing any of the domains of SWB. For our participants, an Unknowable Image of God had a negative relationship with their SWB. Furthermore, specific images of God (Personal or Non Personal) are not associated with domains of SWB. Together, these findings suggest that spiritual wellbeing surpasses traditional religious views. The development of a new language which more naturally expresses different images of a higher being amongst patients in western late-modern societies may further aid our understanding and subsequently lead to an improvement in patients' spiritual wellbeing.

The need to belong can motivate belief in God.

PubMed

Gebauer, Jochen E; Maio, Gregory R

2012-04-01

The need to belong can motivate belief in God. In Study 1, 40 undergraduates read bogus astrophysics articles "proving" God's existence or not offering proof. Participants in the proof-for-God condition reported higher belief in God (compared to control) when they chronically imagined God as accepting but lower belief in God when they imagined God as rejecting. Additionally, in Study 2 (72 undergraduates), these effects did not occur when participants' belongingness need was satisfied by priming close others. Study 3 manipulated 79 Internet participants' image of God. Chronic believers in the God-is-rejecting condition reported lower religious behavioral intentions than chronic believers in the God-is-accepting condition, and this effect was mediated by lower desires for closeness with God. In Study 4 (106 Internet participants), chronic believers with an accepting image of God reported that their belief in God is motivated by belongingness needs. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Personality © 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on Effective Self-Assembly Technology for Preparation of Poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/Au Nanoparticles Multilayers.

PubMed

Ye, Yuhang; Xie, Hangqing; Shao, Xiaobao; Wei, Yuan; Liu, Yuhong; Zhao, Wenbo; Xia, Xinyi

2016-03-01

Novel nanomaterials and nanotechnology for use in bioassay applications represent a rapidly advancing field. This study developed a novel method to fabricate the glucose biosensor with good gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) fixed efficiency based on effective self-assembly technology for preparation of multilayers composed of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and AuNPs. The electrochemical properties of the biosensor based on (AuNPs/PAH)n/AuNPs/glucose oxide (GOD) with different multilayers were systematically investigated. Among the resulting glucose biosensors, electrochemical properties of the biosensor with three times self-assembly processes ((AuNPs/PAH)3/AuNPs/GOD) is best. The GOD biosensor exhibited a fast amperometric response (5 s) to glucose, a good linear current-time relation over a wide range of glucose concentrations from 0.05 to 162 mM, and a low detection limit of 0.029 mM. The GOD biosensor modified with (AuNPs/PAH)n layers will have essential significance and practical application in future owing to the simple method of fabrication and good performance.

Conjugation of glucose oxidase onto Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots for phosphorescent sensing of glucose in biological fluids.

PubMed

Wu, Peng; He, Yu; Wang, He-Fang; Yan, Xiu-Ping

2010-02-15

Integrating various enzymes with nanomaterials provides various nanohybrids with new possibilities in biosensor applications. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity and stability are also improved due to the large surface area of nanomaterials. Here we report the conjugation of glucose oxidase (GOD) onto phosphorescent Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropy)carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as coupling reagents for glucose biosensing based on the effective quenching of the room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of Mn-doped ZnS QDs by the H(2)O(2) generated from GOD-catalyzed oxidation of glucose. The obtained bioconjugate not only provided improved enzymatic performance with Michaelis-Menten constant of 0.70 mM but also favored biological applications because the phosphorescent detection mode avoided the interference from autofluorescence and scattering light from the biological matrix. In addition, the GOD-conjugated Mn-doped ZnS QDs showed better thermal stability in the temperature range of 20-80 degrees C. The GOD-Mn-doped ZnS QDs based RTP sensor for glucose gave a detection limit of 3 microM and two linear ranges from 10 microM to 0.1 mM and from 0.1 to 1 mM. The developed biosensor was successfully applied to the determination of glucose in real serum samples without the need for any complicated sample pretreatments.

Highly ordered mesoporous carbons as electrode material for the construction of electrochemical dehydrogenase- and oxidase-based biosensors.

PubMed

Zhou, Ming; Shang, Li; Li, Bingling; Huang, Lijian; Dong, Shaojun

2008-11-15

In this work, the excellent catalytic activity of highly ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) to the electrooxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was described for the construction of electrochemical alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and glucose oxidase (GOD)-based biosensors. The high density of edge-plane-like defective sites and high specific surface area of OMCs could be responsible for the electrocatalytic behavior at OMCs modified glassy carbon electrode (OMCs/GE), which induced a substantial decrease in the overpotential of NADH and H(2)O(2) oxidation reaction compared to carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (CNTs/GE). Such ability of OMCs permits effective low-potential amperometric biosensing of ethanol and glucose, respectively, at Nafion/ADH-OMCs/GE and Nafion/GOD-OMCs/GE. Especially, as an amperometric glucose biosensor, Nafion/GOD-OMCs/GE showed large determination range (500-15,000 micromoll(-1)), high sensitivity (0.053 nA micromol(-1)), fast (9+/-1s) and stable response (amperometric response retained 90% of the initial activity after 10h stirring of 2 mmoll(-1) glucose solution) to glucose as well as the effective discrimination to the possible interferences, which may make it to readily satisfy the need for the routine clinical diagnosis of diabetes. By comparing the electrochemical performance of OMCs with that of CNTs as electrode material for the construction of ADH- and GOD-biosensors in this work, we reveal that OMCs could be a favorable and promising carbon electrode material for constructing other electrochemical dehydrogenase- and oxidase-based biosensors, which may have wide potential applications in biocatalysis, bioelectronics and biofuel cells.

Direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase and dual hydrogen peroxide and glucose detection based on water-dispersible carbon nanotubes derivative.

PubMed

Chen, Hsiao-Chien; Tu, Yi-Ming; Hou, Chung-Che; Lin, Yu-Chen; Chen, Ching-Hsiang; Yang, Kuang-Hsuan

2015-03-31

A water-dispersible multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) derivative, MWCNTs-1-one-dihydroxypyridine (MWCNTs-Py) was synthesis via Friedel-Crafts chemical acylation. Raman spectra demonstrated the conjugated level of MWCNTs-Py was retained after this chemical modification. MWCNTs-Py showed dual hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glucose detections without mutual interference by adjusting pH value. It was sensitive to H2O2 in acidic solution and displayed the high performances of sensitivity, linear range, response time and stability; meanwhile it did not respond to H2O2 in neutral solution. In addition, this positively charged MWCNTs-Py could adsorb glucose oxidase (GOD) by electrostatic attraction. MWCNTs-Py-GOD/GC electrode showed the direct electron transfer (DET) of GOD with a pair of well-defined redox peaks, attesting the bioactivity of GOD was retained due to the non-destroyed immobilization. The high surface coverage of active GOD (3.5×10(-9) mol cm(-2)) resulted in exhibiting a good electrocatalytic activity toward glucose. This glucose sensor showed high sensitivity (68.1 μA mM(-1) cm(-2)) in a linear range from 3 μM to 7 mM in neutral buffer solution. The proposed sensor could distinguish H2O2 and glucose, thus owning high selectivity and reliability. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Does God Make it Real? Children's Belief in Religious Stories from the Judeo-Christian Tradition

PubMed Central

Vaden, Victoria Cox; Woolley, Jacqueline D.

2010-01-01

Four- to 6-year-old children heard religious or non-religious stories and were questioned about their belief in the reality status of the story characters and events. Children had low to moderate levels of belief in the story characters and events. Children in the religious story condition had higher levels of belief in the reality of the story characters and events than did children in the non-religious condition; this relationship strengthened with age. Children who used God as an explanation for the events showed higher levels of belief in the factuality of those events. Story familiarity and family religiosity also affected children's responses. We conclude that God's involvement in a story influences children's belief in the reality of the characters and events in that story. PMID:21466542

Ethical issues at the start of life.

PubMed

Sacks, J

2001-01-01

In this article the fundamentals of a Jewish ethic are set out, through which today's pressing medical ethical questions are then broached. Ethics derive from a basic view of humanity. The Bible teaches that man is created in God's image, and every life is therefore sacrosanct. Second, since life is God-given we are its guarantors, not its owners. Finally, monotheism sees God as above nature and not in it, so nature itself is not holy--man can, and indeed should, try to improve upon it. With reference to specific medical issues, the need to be wary of the erosion of the family unit and of personal identity is stressed. Concerning abortion and stem cell research, the point is made that an embryo is not a person but is a potentiality and therefore not an object to be used. Regarding genetic intervention, a line is drawn between the therapeutic and the eugenic. Every technology carries with it the possibility of diminishing or enhancing human dignity. What matters is how we use it. The way to use it is in a covenant with God, honouring his image that is mankind.

T'ao-t'ieh, a motif of Chinese funerary art as the iconographic counterpart of Cinnabar, an alchemical drug.

PubMed

Mahdihassan, S

1982-01-01

The agency conferring resurrection is soul or its emblem. The earliest conception of soul is blood. Its Redness penetrates subsoil and is taken up by serpent, from whence arises snake-soul, later snake-god. Blood vapours is the other fraction arising upwards. It becomes wraith bird, later soul bird, and finally bird god. Blood as whole gave snake-god plus bird-god. A winged-cobra became snake-god and bird-god or together, one-as-all. Red Cock was its equivalent. As substance came cinnabar, red like blood and sublimable like soul. Dragon was idealized snake-god. Then Dragon-god plus Bird-god became the equal of blood soul, the magical power. T'ao-t'ieh is Dragon-plus-Bird, snake-god plus bird-god, the equivalent of Cosmic soul. Then cinnabar as the equal of blood soul and T'ao-t'ieh, the emblem of Cosmic soul, each were capable of conferring resurrection and have been interred in Chinese graves.

Sound Heart: Spiritual Nursing Care Model from Religious Viewpoint.

PubMed

Asadzandi, Minoo

2017-12-01

Different methods of epistemology create different philosophical views. None of the nursing theories have employed the revelational epistemology and the philosophical views of Abrahamic religions. According to Abrahamic religions, the universe and human being have been created based on God's affection. Human being should deserve the position of God's representative on earth after achieving all ethical merits. Humans have willpower to shape their destiny by choosing manner of their relationship with God, people, themselves and the whole universe. They can adopt the right behavior by giving a divine color to their thoughts and intentions and thus attain peace and serenity in their heart. Health means having a sound heart (calm spirit with a sense of hope and love, security and happiness) that is achievable through faith and piety. Moral vices lead to diseases. Human beings are able to purge their inside (heart) through establishing a relationship with God and then take actions to reform the outside world. The worlds are run by God's will based on prudence and mercy. All events happen with God's authorization, and human beings have to respond to them. Nurses should try to recognize the patient's spiritual response to illness that can appear as symptoms of an unsound heart (fear, sadness, disappointment, anger, jealousy, cruelty, grudge, suspicion, etc.) due to the pains caused by illness and then alleviate the patient's suffering by appropriate approaches. Nurses help the patient to achieve the sound heart by hope in divine mercy and love, and they help the patient see good in any evil and relieve their fear and sadness by viewing their illness positively and then attain the status of calm, satisfaction, peace and serenity in their heart and being content with the divine fate. By invitation to religious morality, the model leads the patients to spiritual health.

DNA-templated synthesis of PtAu bimetallic nanoparticle/graphene nanocomposites and their application in glucose biosensor

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

In this paper, single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) is demonstrated to functionalize graphene (GR) and to further guide the growth of PtAu bimetallic nanoparticles (PtAuNPs) on GR with high densities and dispersion. The obtained nanocomposites (PtAuNPs/ss-DNA/GR) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and electrochemical techniques. Then, an enzyme nanoassembly was prepared by self-assembling glucose oxidase (GOD) on PtAuNP/ss-DNA/GR nanocomposites (GOD/PtAuNPs/ss-DNA/GR). The nanocomposites provided a suitable microenvironment for GOD to retain its biological activity. The direct and reversible electron transfer process between the active site of GOD and the modified electrode was realized without any extra electron mediator. Thus, the prepared GOD/PtAuNP/ss-DNA/GR electrode was proposed as a biosensor for the quantification of glucose. The effects of pH, applied potential, and temperature on the performance of the biosensor were discussed in detail and were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the biosensor showed a linearity with glucose concentration in the range of 1.0 to 1,800 μM with a detection limit of 0.3 μM (S/N = 3). The results demonstrate that the developed approach provides a promising strategy to improve the sensitivity and enzyme activity of electrochemical biosensors. PMID:24572068

Triply responsive films in bioelectrocatalysis with a binary architecture: combined layer-by-layer assembly and hydrogel polymerization.

PubMed

Yao, Huiqin; Hu, Naifei

2011-05-26

In this work, triply responsive films with a specific binary architecture combining layer-by-layer assembly (LbL) and hydrogel polymerization were successfully prepared. First, concanavalin A (Con A) and dextran (Dex) were assembled into {Con A/Dex}(5) LbL layers on electrode surface by the lectin-sugar biospecific interaction between them. The poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide) (PDEA) hydrogels with entrapped horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were then synthesized by polymerization on the surface of LbL inner layers, forming {Con A/Dex}(5)-(PDEA-HRP) films. The films demonstrated reversible pH-, thermo-, and salt-responsive on-off behavior toward electroactive probe Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in its cyclic voltammetric responses. This multiple stimuli-responsive films could be further used to realize triply switchable electrochemical reduction of H(2)O(2) catalyzed by HRP immobilized in the films and mediated by Fe(CN)(6)(3-) in solution. The responsive mechanism of the films was explored and discussed. The pH-sensitive property of the system was attributed to the electrostatic interaction between the {Con A/Dex}(5) inner layers and the probe at different pH, and the thermo- and salt-responsive behaviors should be ascribed to the structure change of PDEA hydrogels for the PDEA-HRP outermost layers under different conditions. The concept of binary architecture was also used to fabricate {Con A/Dex}(5)-(PDEA-GOD) films on electrodes, where GOD = glucose oxidase, which was applied to realize the triply switchable bioelectrocatalysis of glucose by GOD in the films with ferrocenedicarboxylic acid as the mediator in solution. This film system with the unique binary architecture may establish a foundation for fabricating a novel type of multicontrollable biosensors based on bioelectrocatalysis with immobilized enzymes.

Synergistic effect of Aspergillus tubingensis CTM 507 glucose oxidase in presence of ascorbic acid and alpha amylase on dough properties, baking quality and shelf life of bread.

PubMed

Kriaa, Mouna; Ouhibi, Rabeb; Graba, Héla; Besbes, Souhail; Jardak, Mohamed; Kammoun, Radhouane

2016-02-01

The impact of Aspergillus tubingensis glucose oxidase (GOD) in combination with α-amylase and ascorbic acid on dough properties, qualities and shelf life of bread was investigated. Regression models of alveograph and texture parameters of dough and bread were adjusted. Indeed, the mixture of GOD (44 %) and ascorbic acid (56 %) on flour containing basal improver showed its potential as a corrective action to get better functional and rheological properties of dough and bread texture. Furthermore, wheat flour containing basal additives and enriched with GOD (63.8 %), ascorbic acid (32 %) and α- amylase (4.2 %) led to high technological bread making parameters, to decrease the crumb firmness and chewiness and to improve elasticity, adhesion, cohesion and specific volume of bread. In addition to that, the optimized formulation addition significantly reduced water activity and therefore decreased bread susceptibility to microbial spoilage. These findings demonstrated that GOD could partially substitute not only ascorbic acid but also α-amylase. The generated models allowed to predict the behavior of wheat flour containing additives in the range of values tested and to define the additives formula that led to desired rheological and baking qualities of dough. This fact provides new perspectives to compensate flour quality deficiencies at the moment of selecting raw materials and technological parameters reducing the production costs and facilitating gluten free products development. Graphical abstractᅟ.

Comparing Landsat7 ETM+ and NAIP imagery for precision agriculture application in small scale farming: A case study in the south eastern part of Pittsylvania County, VA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bohon, Robert Kevin, Jr.

Problem. In Ezek 36:27, God foretells that he will put his Spirit within his people and he will "do" so that Israel will obey his laws. Ezekiel 36:27 indicates a close relationship between the Spirit of God and Israel in observing the statutes and judgments of God in the Babylonian exile among the nations and after the exile. In this text, every major phrase and clause has varied interpretations or calls for further investigation. We address the following questions: What is the identity of the Spirit of God? What is the nature of the statutes and judgments of God? What is the precise relationship between the Spirit of the Lord and the people in observing the divine laws? When is the bestowal of the Spirit of God and obedience to the laws of God realized by Israel? The purpose of this research was to conduct an exegetical, intratextual, intertextual, and theological study in order to investigate further the Spirit of God in relationship to Israel in keeping the laws of God in the context of restoration in Ezek 36. Methodology. This study uses the final form and close reading of the MT in its canonical text. The method entails analytical, inductive, synchronic, and diachronic approaches to v. 27, involving OT canonical and extra-canonical Hebrew selected texts. In chapter 1, various interpretive views by scholars regarding v. 27 are presented. The views differ concerning the identity of the Spirit of God, the precise relationship between the Spirit of God and Israel in obeying the laws of God, the concept of "within," what God "does," the nature of the statutes and judgments of God, and the role of Israel as God puts his Spirit within them. In chapter 2, an exegetical investigation is undertaken for the purpose of examining the identity of the Spirit of God and the nature of the statutes and judgments of God and their relationship. The structure of v. 27 is studied in order to analyze the logical progression of the thought and intent of the author. A semantic study of the meaning of words and phrases as well as the syntax of the text is examined. Chapter 3 deals with the intratextual analysis in order to examine the connection between Ezek 36:27 and selected texts with similar vocabulary within the book of Ezekiel. In chapter 4, an intertextual study is undertaken to compare v. 27 with other selected texts in the OT with similar vocabulary for the purpose of exploring how the OT texts highlight Ezek 36:27. Chapter 5 deals with the intertextuality of Ezek 36:27 in selected extra-canonical Qumran Hebrew texts to investigate how the Spirit of God and obedience to the laws of God inform the concept of the Spirit of God and obedience to the laws of God in Ezek 36:27. In chapter 6, a theology of Ezek 36:27 is constructed based on the exegetical analysis and intratextual and intertextual investigation stated above. Conclusions. The conclusions reached by exegeting Ezek 36:27 are that: 1. The Spirit of God is God's Holy Spirit, a personal being, whom God gives to the Israelites so that they can have abundant life, for they lament that they have no life. The Spirit of God empowers or strengthens Israel to obey the laws of God of life and maintain the life they have received from the Spirit of God. 2. The statutes and judgments of God are the praxis or practical aspects of the principles of the ten words or commandments of God through which God made a covenant with Israel. As Israel obeys the laws of God, they fulfill the principle of the ten commandments of love to God and humanity. 3. God influences the mind and motivation of his people by his Spirit through the word of God as proclaimed by the prophet Ezekiel. By his Spirit, God wants to renew and soften their stony heart to be a heart of flesh in order for them to have new desires, motives, and purposes of observing his divine laws. 4. God "does" or acts through his Spirit for the sake of his holy name, characterized by grace, mercy, forbearance, love, faithfulness, and forgiveness, in renewing the mind of Israel and giving back their land in the process of restoration. 5. Israel plays an active role in the process of responding to the grace, mercy, forbearance, love, faithfulness, and forgiveness of God and their willingness to obey the word of God to return to their land. 6. The bestowal of the Spirit of God is realized by Israel while in exile among the nations but particularly when they are restored to their land. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Does God make it real? Children's belief in religious stories from the Judeo-Christian tradition.

PubMed

Vaden, Victoria Cox; Woolley, Jacqueline D

2011-01-01

Four- to 6-year-old children (N = 131) heard religious or nonreligious stories and were questioned about their belief in the reality of the story characters and events. Children had low to moderate levels of belief in the characters and events. Children in the religious story condition had higher levels of belief in the reality of the characters and events than did children in the nonreligious condition; this relation strengthened with age. Children who used God as an explanation for the events showed higher levels of belief in the factuality of those events. Story familiarity and family religiosity also affected children's responses. The authors conclude that God's involvement in a story influences children's belief in the reality of the characters and events in that story. © 2011 The Authors. Child Development © 2011 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

Achieving direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase by one step electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide and its use in glucose sensing.

PubMed

Shamsipur, Mojtaba; Tabrizi, Mahmoud Amouzadeh

2014-12-01

In this paper, the direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD) was accomplished at a glassy carbon electrode modified with electrochemically reduced graphene oxide/sodium dodecyl sulfate (GCE/ERGO/SDS). A pair of reversible peaks is exhibited on GCE/ERGO/SDS/GOD by cyclic voltammetry. The peak-to-peak potential separation of immobilized GOD is 28 mV in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH7.0) with a scan rate of 50 mV/s. The average surface coverage is 2.62×10(-10) mol cm(-2). The resulting biosensor exhibited a good response to glucose with linear range from 1 to 8 mM (R(2)=0.9878), good reproducibility and detection limit of 40.8 μM. The results from the biosensor were similar (±5%) to those obtained from the clinical analyzer. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Functionalization of monolithic and porous three-dimensional graphene by one-step chitosan electrodeposition for enzymatic biosensor.

PubMed

Liu, Jiyang; Wang, Xiaohui; Wang, Tianshu; Li, Dan; Xi, Fengna; Wang, Jin; Wang, Erkang

2014-11-26

Biological modification of monolithic and porous 3D graphene is of great significance for extending its application in fabricating highly sensitive biosensors. The present work reports on the first biofunctionalization of monolithic and freestanding 3D graphene foam for one-step preparation of reagentless enzymatic biosensors by controllable chitosan (CS) electrodeposition technology. Using a homogeneous three-component electrodeposition solution containing a ferrocene (Fc) grafted CS hybrid (Fc-CS), glucose oxidase (GOD), and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), a homogeneous biocomposite film of Fc-CS/SWNTs/GOD was immobilized on the surface of 3D graphene foam by one-step electrodeposition. The Fc groups grafted on chitosan can be stably immobilized on the 3D graphene surface and keep their original electrochemical activity. The SWNTs doped into the Fc-CS matrix act as a nanowire to facilitate electron transfer and improve the conductivity of the biocomposite film. Combined with the extraordinary properties of 3D graphene foam including large active surface area, high conductivity, and fast mass transport dynamics, the 3D graphene based enzymatic biosensor achieved a large linear range (5.0 μM to 19.8 mM), a low detection limit (1.2 μM), and rapid response (reaching the 95% steady-state response within 8 s) for reagentless detection of glucose in the phosphate buffer solution.

Attachment to God, Images of God, and Psychological Distress in a Nationwide Sample of Presbyterians.

PubMed

Bradshaw, Matt; Ellison, Christopher G; Marcum, Jack P

2010-01-01

Drawing broadly on insights from attachment theory, the present study outlines a series of theoretical arguments linking styles of attachment to God, perceptions of the nature of God (i.e., God imagery), and stressful life events with psychological distress. Main effects and potential stress-moderator effects are then evaluated using data from a nationwide sample of elders and rank-and-file members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Key findings indicate that secure attachment to God is inversely associated with distress, whereas both anxious attachment to God and stressful life events are positively related to distress. Once variations in patterns of attachment to God are controlled, there are no net effects of God imagery on levels of distress. There is only modest support for the hypothesis that God images moderate the effects of stressful life events on psychological distress, but no stress-moderator effects were found for attachment to God. Study limitations are identified, and findings are discussed in terms of their implications for religion-health research, as well as recent extensions of attachment theory.

Attachment to God, Images of God, and Psychological Distress in a Nationwide Sample of Presbyterians

PubMed Central

Bradshaw, Matt; Ellison, Christopher G.; Marcum, Jack P.

2012-01-01

Drawing broadly on insights from attachment theory, the present study outlines a series of theoretical arguments linking styles of attachment to God, perceptions of the nature of God (i.e., God imagery), and stressful life events with psychological distress. Main effects and potential stress-moderator effects are then evaluated using data from a nationwide sample of elders and rank-and-file members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Key findings indicate that secure attachment to God is inversely associated with distress, whereas both anxious attachment to God and stressful life events are positively related to distress. Once variations in patterns of attachment to God are controlled, there are no net effects of God imagery on levels of distress. There is only modest support for the hypothesis that God images moderate the effects of stressful life events on psychological distress, but no stress-moderator effects were found for attachment to God. Study limitations are identified, and findings are discussed in terms of their implications for religion-health research, as well as recent extensions of attachment theory. PMID:23329878

Asthma medication adherence: the role of God and other health locus of control factors.

PubMed

Ahmedani, Brian K; Peterson, Edward L; Wells, Karen E; Rand, Cynthia S; Williams, L Keoki

2013-02-01

Medication adherence is an important determinant of disease outcomes, yet medication use on average tends to be low among patients with chronic conditions, including asthma. Although several predictors of non-adherence have been assessed, more research is needed on patients' beliefs about God and how these relate to medication use. To examine the relationship between perceptions about "God's" role in health and other locus of control factors with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) adherence among asthma patients. Participants were from a clinical trial to improve ICS adherence and were 5-56 years old, had a diagnosis of asthma, and were receiving ICS medication. Baseline adherence was estimated from electronic prescription and pharmacy fill records. Patients were considered to be adherent if ICS use was ≥80% of prescribed. A baseline survey with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale was used to assess five sources (God, doctors, other people, chance, and internal). Medication adherence was low (36%). Patients' who had a stronger belief that God determined asthma control were less likely to be adherent (odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-0.96). This relationship was stronger among African American (OR 0.68, 95% CI0.47-0.99) compared to white patients (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.75-1.04), and among adults (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.96) compared to children (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.58-1.22). Patients' belief in God's control of health appears to be a factor in asthma controller use, and therefore should be considered in physician-patient discussions concerning course of treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00459368. Copyright © 2013 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Beliefs about God and mental health among American adults.

PubMed

Silton, Nava R; Flannelly, Kevin J; Galek, Kathleen; Ellison, Christopher G

2014-10-01

This study examines the association between beliefs about God and psychiatric symptoms in the context of Evolutionary Threat Assessment System Theory, using data from the 2010 Baylor Religion Survey of US Adults (N = 1,426). Three beliefs about God were tested separately in ordinary least squares regression models to predict five classes of psychiatric symptoms: general anxiety, social anxiety, paranoia, obsession, and compulsion. Belief in a punitive God was positively associated with four psychiatric symptoms, while belief in a benevolent God was negatively associated with four psychiatric symptoms, controlling for demographic characteristics, religiousness, and strength of belief in God. Belief in a deistic God and one's overall belief in God were not significantly related to any psychiatric symptoms.

Divergent effects of activating thoughts of God on self-regulation.

PubMed

Laurin, Kristin; Kay, Aaron C; Fitzsimons, Gráinne M

2012-01-01

Despite the cultural ubiquity of ideas and images related to God, relatively little is known about the effects of exposure to God representations on behavior. Specific depictions of God differ across religions, but common to most is that God is (a) an omnipotent, controlling force and (b) an omniscient, all-knowing being. Given these 2 characteristic features, how might exposure to the concept of God influence behavior? Leveraging classic and recent theorizing on self-regulation and social cognition, we predict and test for 2 divergent effects of exposure to notions of God on self-regulatory processes. Specifically, we show that participants reminded of God (vs. neutral or positive concepts) demonstrate both decreased active goal pursuit (Studies 1, 2, and 5) and increased temptation resistance (Studies 3, 4, and 5). These findings provide the first experimental evidence that exposure to God influences goal pursuit and suggest that the ever-present cultural reminders of God can be both burden and benefit for self-regulation.

When god sanctions killing: effect of scriptural violence on aggression.

PubMed

Bushman, Brad J; Ridge, Robert D; Das, Enny; Key, Colin W; Busath, Gregory L

2007-03-01

Violent people often claim that God sanctions their actions. In two studies, participants read a violent passage said to come from either the Bible or an ancient scroll. For half the participants, the passage said that God sanctioned the violence. Next, participants competed with an ostensible partner on a task in which the winner could blast the loser with loud noise through headphones (the aggression measure). Study 1 involved Brigham Young University students; 99% believed in God and in the Bible. Study 2 involved Vrije Universiteit-Amsterdam students; 50% believed in God, and 27% believed in the Bible. In Study 1, aggression increased when the passage was from the Bible or mentioned God. In Study 2, aggression increased when the passage mentioned God, especially among participants who believed in God and in the Bible. These results suggest that scriptural violence sanctioned by God can increase aggression, especially in believers.

Forgiveness, Attachment to God, and Mental Health Outcomes in Older U.S. Adults: A Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Kent, Blake Victor; Bradshaw, Matt; Uecker, Jeremy E

2018-06-01

We analyze a sample of older U.S. adults with religious backgrounds in order to examine the relationships among two types of divine forgiveness and three indicators of psychological well-being (PWB) as well as the moderating role of attachment to God. Results suggest that (a) feeling forgiven by God and transactional forgiveness from God are not associated with changes in PWB over time, (b) secure attachment to God at baseline is associated with increased optimism and self-esteem, (c) feeling forgiven by God and transactional forgiveness from God are more strongly associated with increased PWB among the securely attached, and (d) among the avoidantly attached, PWB is associated with consistency in one's beliefs, that is, a decreased emphasis on forgiveness from God. Findings underscore the importance of subjective beliefs about God in the lives of many older adults in the United States.

Destroying False Images of God: The Experiences of LGBT Catholics.

PubMed

Deguara, Angele

2018-01-01

This article is about how lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) Catholics imagine God and how images of God change in parallel with their self-image. The study is based on qualitative research with LGBT Catholics, most of whom are members of Drachma LGBTI in Malta or Ali d'Aquila in Palermo, Sicily. LGBT Catholics' image of God changes as they struggle to reconcile their religious and sexual identities and as they go through a process of "conversion" from deviants and sinners to loved children of God. One study participant compares his faith in God to peeling an onion: "With every layer one peels off, one destroys false images of God." Most study participants have moved away from the image of God as a bearded old man and father of creation and moved more toward a conception of God as love once identity conflicts are resolved.

Is God just a big person? Children's conceptions of God across cultures and religious traditions.

PubMed

Nyhof, Melanie A; Johnson, Carl N

2017-03-01

The present research examines the influence of intuitive cognitive domain and religion on the God concepts of children growing up in religious traditions that present God in ways varying from abstract to concrete. In Study 1, we compared children from a Latter-Day Saints (LDS) background with those from mainstream Christian (MC) backgrounds in the United States. In contrast to MC theology that holds that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and disembodied, LDS theology depicts God as embodied. In Study 1, 3- to 7-year-olds from LDS and MC backgrounds were asked about supernatural mental and immaterial attributes of God, a ghost, a dad, and a bug. In Study 2, children ages 3-7 from Muslim and Catholic backgrounds in Indonesia were presented with a variant of Study 1. Taken together, the two studies examine the God concepts of children raised in three different religious traditions with God concepts that range from highly abstract to concrete. Overall, we find that the youngest children, regardless of religion, distinguish God from humans and hold similar ideas of God, attributing more supernatural psychological than physical properties. Older children's conceptions of God are more in line with the theological notions of their traditions. The results suggest that children are not simply anthropomorphic in their God concepts, but early on understand supernatural agents as having special mental properties and they continue to learn about differences between agents, influenced by their religious traditions. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject Research on children's God concepts has established that children begin to distinguish the mind of God from that of humans by around age 4-5. The main debate in the field is whether children start out thinking about God in anthropomorphic terms or whether they start out with an undifferentiated idea of agents' minds as all having access to knowledge. Research on children's understanding of immortality has demonstrated that around the same age that children begin differentiating God's mind from human minds, they also differentiate between the two in terms of life-cycle attributes, attributing immortality to God, but not to humans. What does this study add? The present research contributes to the field by examining the God concepts of children from different religious backgrounds. These religious backgrounds have theologies with God concepts that range from physically concrete (Latter-Day Saints or Mormonism) to highly abstract (Islam). We also include Christian samples for comparison. The present research examines children's attributions to different supernatural agents including God, but also a ghost and an angel. The present studies look at children's attribution of not only supernatural mental attributions, but also the supernatural physical attributions of immateriality and omnipresence that have been understudied. © 2017 The British Psychological Society.

Total Quality Management and Cost of Quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadjicostas, Evsevios

Before we start analysing the philosophy of Total Quality Management it is worthwhile going back to the early days of quality and the quality movement. In fact, the quality concept dates back to the creation of Adam and Eve: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good”. (Genesis A 31). It is remarkable that at the end of each day, looking at his creations God was saying, “This is good”. However, at the end of the sixth day, after he finished the creation of human beings, he said, “This is very good”. It is amazing that he did not say, “This is excellent”. This is because excellence is something that we gain after tireless effort. God left room for improvement in order to challenge us and make our life more attractive, which has really happened!

Y2K affiliation, immediate pedestrian density, and helping responses to lost letters.

PubMed

Bridges, F S; Thompson, P C

2001-06-01

Of 75 letters "lost" in Florida, 41 were returned in the mail (the helpful response). Immediate pedestrian density was significantly related to nonhelping responses. The greater the number of subjects passing by a lost letter, the less likely any one of them would respond to it. The rates of return did vary with the addressees' affiliations. Returned responses for the affiliates, Y2K Arkbuilders and the Believers of God's Judgement Against Homosexuals: Y2K Millennium Bug, were substantially lower than for the affiliate, Y2K Computer Repair & Programming, Inc. Returns for the Believers of God's Judgement Against Homosexuals: Y2K Millennium Bug affiliate were significantly lower than for the Y2K Arkbuilders affiliate. Variables such as sex, race, and estimated age of subjects were not associated with helping to return a lost letter. The rate of return of lost letters is not the only important measure to be examined in studies using lost letters.

Bi-enzyme functionlized hollow PtCo nanochains as labels for an electrochemical aptasensor.

PubMed

Bai, Lijuan; Yuan, Ruo; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Yali; Zhuo, Ying; Mao, Li

2011-07-15

In this work, a new signal amplification strategy based on hollow PtCo nanochains (HPtCoNCs) functionalized by bi-enzyme-horseradish peroxidase mimicking DNAzyme (HRP-DNAzyme) and glucose oxidase (GOD), as well as ferrocene-labeled secondary thrombin aptamer (Fc-TBA 2), is developed to construct a highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor. The HRP-DNAzyme contains a special G-quadruplex structure with an intercalated hemin. With the surface area enlarged by HPtCoNCs, the amount of immobilized Fc-TBA 2, hemin and GOD can be enhanced. Under the enzyme catalysis of GOD, d-glucose is rapidly oxidized into gluconic acid accompanying with the generation of H₂O₂, which is further electrocatalyzed by Pt nanoparticles and HPR-DNAzyme to improve the electrochemical signal of Fc. With several amplification factors mentioned above, a wide linear ranged from 0.001 to 30 nM is acquired with a relatively low detection limit of 0.39 pM for thrombin. The present work demonstrates that using HPtCoNCs as labels is a promising way to amplify the analysis signal and improve the sensitivity of aptasensors. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Beliefs in and About God and Attitudes Toward Voluntary Euthanasia.

PubMed

Sharp, Shane

2018-06-01

I use data from the General Social Survey to evaluate several hypotheses regarding how beliefs in and about God predict attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia. I find that certainty in the belief in God significantly predicts negative attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia. I also find that belief in a caring God and in a God that is the primary source of moral rules significantly predicts negative attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia. I also find that respondents' beliefs about the how close they are to God and how close they want to be with God predict negative attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia. These associations hold even after controlling for religious affiliation, religious attendance, views of the Bible, and sociodemographic factors. The findings indicate that to understand individuals' attitudes about voluntary euthanasia, one must pay attention to their beliefs in and about God.

Enhanced direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase and biosensing for glucose via synergy effect of graphene and CdS nanocrystals.

PubMed

Wang, Kun; Liu, Qian; Guan, Qing-Meng; Wu, Jun; Li, He-Nan; Yan, Jia-Jia

2011-01-15

Integrating graphene-based composites with enzyme provides a potent strategy to enhance biosensor performance due to their unique physicochemical properties. Herein we report on the utilization of graphene-CdS (G-CdS) nanocomposite as a novel immobilization matrix for the enzymes, which glucose oxidase (GOD) was chosen as model enzyme. In comparison with the graphene sheet and CdS nanocrystal, G-CdS nanocomposite exhibited excellent electron transfer properties for GOD with the rate constant (k(s)) of 5.9 s(-1) due to the synergy effect of graphene sheet and CdS nanocrystals. Further, based on the decrease of the electrocatalytic response of the reduced form of GOD to dissolved oxygen, the obtained glucose biosensor displays satisfactory analytical performance over an acceptable linear range from 2.0 to 16 mM with a detection limit of 0.7 mM, and also prevents the effects of interfering species, which is suitable for glucose determination by real samples. These results mean that this immobilization matrix not only can be used for immobilizing GOD, but also can be extended to other enzymes and bioactive molecules, thus providing a promising platform for the development of biosensors. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Perceived Perfectionism from God Scale: Development and Initial Evidence.

PubMed

Wang, Kenneth T; Allen, G E Kawika; Stokes, Hannah I; Suh, Han Na

2017-05-03

In this study, the Perceived Perfectionism from God Scale (PPGS) was developed with Latter-day Saints (Mormons) across two samples. Sample 1 (N = 421) was used for EFA to select items for the Perceived Standards from God (5 items) and the Perceived Discrepancy from God (5 items) subscales. Sample 2 (N = 420) was used for CFA and cross-validated the 2-factor oblique model as well as a bifactor model. Perceived Standards from God scores had Cronbach alphas ranging from .73 to .78, and Perceived Discrepancy from God scores had Cronbach alphas ranging from .82 to .84. Standards from God scores were positively correlated with positive affect, whereas Discrepancy from God scores was positively correlated with negative affect, shame and guilt. Moreover, these two PPGS subscale scores added significant incremental variances in predicting associated variables over and above corresponding personal perfectionism scores.

The social construction of infertility: the case of the matrilineal Nayars in south India.

PubMed

Neff, D L

1994-08-01

This paper explores the relationship between central Kerala Nayar social constructions of fertility and gender, and the Nayar institution of matrilineality, one of the most extreme cases of matrilineality documented in the anthropological literature. The article shows that social responsibility and consequence are implicated in central Kerala Nayar constructions of infertility and that these are traced matrilineally. It is the duty of matrilineal kin to attend to the family god of fertility and to the needs of females of the matrilineage to see that they foster progeny in the kin group's best interests. When this responsibility is violated, powerful forms of negative consequences may transpire for all lineage members, in the idiom of curses of family fertility gods. In the ritual of pampin tullal performed to propitiate these gods, concepts of fertility are extended to include other, 'auspicious' forms of prosperity. In ritual, unattached Nayar women serve as proxy for the well-being of the matrilineage. These unattached women--infertile, unmarried, 'separated', and widowed--are, for the natal kin group, symbolic virgins (kanya), the life force (sákti) of which lineage members seek to harness for their well-being. The concept of fertility is thus extended to include marriage proposals, job offers, and other health and economic concerns of lineage members.

Screening behaviors among African American women at high risk for breast cancer: do beliefs about god matter?

PubMed

Kinney, Anita Yeomans; Emery, Gwyn; Dudley, William N; Croyle, Robert T

2002-06-01

To examine the relationship between beliefs about God as a controlling force in health and adherence to breast cancer screening among high-risk African American women. Cross-sectional cohort. In-person interviews in rural, southeastern Louisiana and telephone interviews conducted at the University of Utah. 52 females who were members of a large kindred with a BRCA1 mutation; no subjects had breast cancer. Survey through in-person or telephone interviews. Belief in God as a controlling agent over health measured by the God Locus of Health Control (GLHC) scale; screening behaviors measured by self-report. Adherence was based on consensus-approved recommendations for BRCA1 carriers or women at risk of being carriers. Bivariate analysis indicated that presence of a primary care provider and low GLHC scores were associated with seeking clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography. With the variable "presence of a primary care provider" excluded, GLHC scores were inversely associated with seeking CBE and mammography. African American women at increased risk for breast cancer and with high GLHC scores may have a decreased inclination to adhere to CBE and mammography recommendations. Assessing religious and spiritual beliefs and incorporating belief systems into education and counseling sessions may improve understanding and acceptance of presented material.

A Christian faith-based recovery theory: understanding God as sponsor.

PubMed

Timmons, Shirley M

2012-12-01

This article reports the development of a substantive theory to explain an evangelical Christian-based process of recovery from addiction. Faith-based, 12-step, mutual aid programs can improve drug abstinence by offering: (a) an intervention option alone and/or in conjunction with secular programs and (b) an opportunity for religious involvement. Although literature on religion, spirituality, and addiction is voluminous, traditional 12-step programs fail to explain the mechanism that underpins the process of Christian-based recovery (CR). This pilot study used grounded theory to explore and describe the essence of recovery of 10 former crack cocaine-addicted persons voluntarily enrolled in a CR program. Data were collected from in-depth interviews during 4 months of 2008. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim, and the constant comparative method was used to analyze data resulting in the basic social process theory, understanding God as sponsor. The theory was determined through writing theoretical memos that generated key elements that allow persons to recover: acknowledging God-centered crises, communicating with God, and planning for the future. Findings from this preliminary study identifies important factors that can help persons in recovery to sustain sobriety and program administrators to benefit from theory that guides the development of evidence-based addiction interventions.

Reliability and validity of the perspectives of Support From God Scale.

PubMed

Hamilton, Jill B; Crandell, Jamie L; Carter, J Kameron; Lynn, Mary R

2010-01-01

Existing spiritual support scales for use with cancer survivors focus on the support believed to come from a religious community, clergy, or health care providers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a new measure of spiritual support believed to come from God in older Christian African American cancer survivors. The Perceived Support From God Scale was administered to 317 African American cancer survivors aged 55-89 years. Psychometric evaluation involved identifying underlying factors, conducting item analysis and estimating reliability, and obtaining evidence on the relationship to other variables or the extent to which the Perceived Support From God Scale correlates with religious involvement and depression. The Perceived Support From God Scale consists of 15 items in two subscales (Support From God and God's Purpose for Me). The two subscales explained 59% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were .94 and .86 for the Support From God and God's Purpose for Me subscales, respectively. Test-retest correlations were strong, supporting the temporal stability of the instrument. Pearson's correlations to an existing religious involvement and beliefs scale were moderate to strong. Subscale scores on Support From God were negatively correlated to depression. Initial support for reliability and validity was demonstrated for the Perceived Support From God Scale. The scale captures a facet of spirituality not emphasized in other measures. Further research is needed to evaluate the scale with persons of other racial/ethnic groups and to explore the relationship of spirituality to other outcome measures.

Glucose biosensing using glassy carbon electrode modified with polyhydroxy-C60, glucose oxidase and ionic-liquid.

PubMed

Yang, Tian; Yang, Xiao-Lu; Zhang, Yu-Shuai; Xiao, BaoLin; Hong, Jun

2014-01-01

Direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase (GOD) was achieved when an ionic liquid/GOD-Polyhydroxy-C60 functional membrane was confined on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The cyclic voltammograms (CVs) of the modified GCE showed a pair of redox peaks with a formal potential (E°') of - 329 ± 2 mV. The heterogeneous electron transfer constant (k(s)) was 1.43 s-1. The modified GCE response to glucose was linear in the range from 0.02 to 2.0 mM. The detection limit was 1 μM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)(app)) was 1.45 mM.

From Horus the child to Hephaestus who limps: a romp through history.

PubMed

Aterman, K

1999-03-05

The question of why Hephaestus, the Greek god of smiths, limped has been the subject of much debate, mainly on mythological grounds. This debate extended also into the field of medical diagnosis, with attempts at defining the nature of the deformity that made the crippled Hephaestus the buffoon of the other Olympic gods. One problem encountered in these debates was the changes to which the ugly young Hephaestus was subjected with the passing of time-from a limping deformed youth to the later dignified and normal man. While some authors, largely influenced by poetic Greek texts and vase paintings, attributed the limp to talipes (club-feet), others pointed to certain features suggestive of achondroplasia. Since the image of the early Hephaestus is based mainly on the much earlier concept of the Egyptian god Ptah, who as the triune god of the resurrection sometimes is depicted as an achondroplastic dwarf (Ptah-Pataikos), the suggestion of the possible achondroplastic dwarf-like nature of the early Hephaestus is not implausible. It is supported by similarities in the image of Hephaestus to some features in other Egyptian gods, such as the domestic god Bes, the guardian of the new-born, and the Horus the Child or Harpocrates (Greek), yet another protector of youth and "the symbol of everything that is young and vigorous" [Budge, 1969: The Gods of the Egyptians, or Studies in Egyptian Mythology. Volume I.]. The characteristic feature of this child-god is the "lock of Harpocrates" on the right side of his head. That this lock can sometimes also be seen not only on the head of Ptah-Pataikos and of Bes but also on the young Hephaestus is highly suggestive of the Egyptian influence on his image. Recently, however, another interesting explanation of Hephaestus's limp has been suggested that may explain why the Egyptian influenced image of the early achondroplastic Hephaestus changed to the later, more Grecian view of the smith-god who hobbled because of club-feet. Improvements in composition-analysis of samples from antique statues and various utensils have led to the suggestion that the introduction of new smelting techniques in antique times may have exposed ancient metal workers to the effects of various toxic metals causing, for instance, chronic lead poisoning or, more relevant here, chronic arsenic poisoning causing peripheral neuritis with weakness and lameness of one or both lower extremities. Later changes in smelting technique, and recognition or guess-work of a possible connection between these techniques and toxic effects, may explain the change from the buffoon-like achondroplastic walk to the club-footed limp and eventual normal behaviour of Hephaestus, the Smith. In other words: Did Hephaestus limp because of his arsen-neuritis?

Examining attachment to God and health risk-taking behaviors in college students.

PubMed

Horton, Karissa D; Ellison, Christopher G; Loukas, Alexandra; Downey, Darcy L; Barrett, Jennifer B

2012-06-01

Drawing on insights from attachment theory, this study examined whether three types of attachment to God--secure, avoidant, and anxious--were associated with health-risk behaviors, over and above the effects of religious attendance, peer support, and demographic covariates, in a sample of 328 undergraduate college students. Contrary to prior theory, secure attachment to God is not inversely associated with recent alcohol or marijuana use, or substance use prior to last sexual intercourse. Instead, avoidant and anxious attachment to God are associated with higher levels of drinking; anxious attachment to God is associated with marijuana use; and avoidant attachment to God is associated with substance use prior to last sexual intercourse. These patterns are gender-specific; problematic attachment to God is linked with negative outcomes solely among men.

Self-Assembled DNA Tetrahedral Scaffolds for the Construction of Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor with Programmable DNA Cyclic Amplification.

PubMed

Feng, Qiu-Mei; Guo, Yue-Hua; Xu, Jing-Juan; Chen, Hong-Yuan

2017-05-24

A novel DNA tetrahedron-structured electrochemiluminescence (ECL) platform for bioanalysis with programmable DNA cyclic amplification was developed. In this work, glucose oxidase (GOD) was labeled to a DNA sequence (S) as functional conjugation (GOD-S), which could hybridize with other DNA sequences (L and P) to form GOD-S:L:P probe. In the presence of target DNA and a help DNA (A), the programmable DNA cyclic amplification was activated and released GOD-S via toehold-mediated strand displacement. Then, the obtained GOD-S was further immobilized on the DNA tetrahedral scaffolds with a pendant capture DNA and Ru(bpy) 3 2+ -conjugated silica nanoparticles (RuSi NPs) decorated on the electrode surface. Thus, the amount of GOD-S assembled on the electrode surface depended on the concentration of target DNA and GOD could catalyze glucose to generate H 2 O 2 in situ. The ECL signal of Ru(bpy) 3 2+ -TPrA system was quenched by the presence of H 2 O 2 . By integrating the programmable DNA cyclic amplification and in situ generating H 2 O 2 as Ru(bpy) 3 2+ ECL quencher, a sensitive DNA tetrahedron-structured ECL sensing platform was proposed for DNA detection. Under optimized conditions, this biosensor showed a wide linear range from 100 aM to 10 pM with a detection limit of 40 aM, indicating a promising application in DNA analysis. Furthermore, by labeling GOD to different recognition elements, the proposed strategy could be used for the detection of various targets. Thus, this programmable cascade amplification strategy not only retains the high selectivity and good capturing efficiency of tetrahedral-decorated electrode surface but also provides potential applications in the construction of ECL biosensor.

Military Personnel Casualty Matters, Policies, and Procedures

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-27

CHURCHES IN THE USA GI AMERICAN BAPTIST CONVENTION CH BAPTIST BIBLE FEI.MSHIP BB BAPTIST GENERAL CONFERENCE DD BAPTIST MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION...FELLOWSHYP BC CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST JD FELLOWSHIP OF GRACE BRETHRFN CHURCHES EJ GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE BRETHREN CHURCH JS...CHRIST 18 CHURCH OF GOD 20 CHURCH OF GOD <ANDERSONIN) Dc CHURCH OF GOD (CLEVELAND,IN) JC CHURCH OF GOD GENERAL CONFERENCE PV CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST

What's "up" with God? Vertical space as a representation of the divine.

PubMed

Meier, Brian P; Hauser, David J; Robinson, Michael D; Friesen, Chris Kelland; Schjeldahl, Katie

2007-11-01

"God" and "Devil" are abstract concepts often linked to vertical metaphors (e.g., "glory to God in the highest," "the Devil lives down in hell"). It is unknown, however, whether these metaphors simply aid communication or implicate a deeper mode of concept representation. In 6 experiments, the authors examined the extent to which the vertical dimension is used in noncommunication contexts involving God and the Devil. Experiment 1 established that people have implicit associations between God-Devil and up-down. Experiment 2 revealed that people encode God-related concepts faster if presented in a high (vs. low) vertical position. Experiment 3 found that people's memory for the vertical location of God- and Devil-like images showed a metaphor-consistent bias (up for God; down for Devil). Experiments 4, 5a, and 5b revealed that people rated strangers as more likely to believe in God when their images appeared in a high versus low vertical position, and this effect was independent of inferences related to power and likability. These robust results reveal that vertical perceptions are invoked when people access divinity-related cognitions. (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved.

Astronomical Context of Georgian Folklore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jijelava1, Badri; Holbrook, Jarita; Simonia, Irakli

2016-10-01

Objectives: The religious Ancient megalithic monuments are accordingly o/riente to the ancient Gods - The Sun, Moon, luminaries. The aim of this work to research the ethnographic data, current folklore and based on the results, harmonize the ancient Gods and the orientations of the religious megalithic complexes. Methods/Statistical Analysis: We harmonized the ethnographical, folklore and historical information and restoration of ancient celestial sphere (using special astronomy application) and identified the correlations between the some acronychal or helical rising/set of luminaries and orientations of megalithic objects. Such connections are stored in a folklore. Findings: This technique of investigations gives us more clear understanding of ancient universe. Using this method, we can receive additional information about the ancient Gods - Luminaries, clarify current mythology, date the megalithic complex. Application/Improvements: This method of investigation - Harmonization cultural astronomy and archae or astronomy with the archeological investigations will be more fruitful, because it gives us reliable information concerning the ancient culture, ancient religion and ancient people.

God image and happiness in chronic pain patients: the mediating role of disease interpretation.

PubMed

Dezutter, Jessie; Luyckx, Koen; Schaap-Jonker, Hanneke; Büssing, Arndt; Corveleyn, Jozef; Hutsebaut, Dirk

2010-05-01

The present study explored the role of the emotional experience of God (i.e., positive and negative God images) in the happiness of chronic pain (CP) patients. Framed in the transactional model of stress, we tested a model in which God images would influence happiness partially through its influence on disease interpretation as a mediating mechanism. We expected God images to have both a direct and an indirect (through the interpretation of disease) effect on happiness. A cross-sectional questionnaire design was adopted in order to measure demographics, pain condition, God images, disease interpretation, and happiness. One hundred thirty-six CP patients, all members of a national patients' association, completed the questionnaires. Correlational analyses showed meaningful associations among God images, disease interpretation, and happiness. Path analyses from a structural equation modeling approach indicated that positive God images seemed to influence happiness, both directly and indirectly through the pathway of positive interpretation of the disease. Ancillary analyses showed that the negative influence of angry God images on happiness disappeared after controlling for pain severity. The results indicated that one's emotional experience of God has an influence on happiness in CP patients, both directly and indirectly through the pathway of positive disease interpretation. These findings can be framed within the transactional theory of stress and can stimulate further pain research investigating the possible effects of religion in the adaptation to CP.

Comments from physicsworld.com

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2010-10-01

Oh, God. Yes, the debate about science and religion has kicked off once again, this time thanks to Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow's new book The Grand Design (2 September "God and the god particle"; 3 September "Talking Hawking and God"; 8 September "M-theory, religion and science funding on the BBC").

32 CFR 644.465 - Physical restoration where stipulation not obtained.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (CONTINUED) REAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE HANDBOOK Disposal Disposal of Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements... reasonable and ordinary wear and tear, damage due to acts of God, or circumstances over which the Government...

32 CFR 644.465 - Physical restoration where stipulation not obtained.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (CONTINUED) REAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE HANDBOOK Disposal Disposal of Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements... reasonable and ordinary wear and tear, damage due to acts of God, or circumstances over which the Government...

32 CFR 644.465 - Physical restoration where stipulation not obtained.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (CONTINUED) REAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE HANDBOOK Disposal Disposal of Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements... reasonable and ordinary wear and tear, damage due to acts of God, or circumstances over which the Government...

A glucose biosensor based on glucose oxidase immobilized on three-dimensional porous carbon electrodes.

PubMed

Chen, Jingyi; Zhu, Rong; Huang, Jia; Zhang, Man; Liu, Hongyu; Sun, Min; Wang, Li; Song, Yonghai

2015-08-21

A novel glucose biosensor was developed by immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOD) on a three-dimensional (3D) porous kenaf stem-derived carbon (3D-KSC) which was firstly proposed as a novel supporting material to load biomolecules for electrochemical biosensing. Here, an integrated 3D-KSC electrode was prepared by using a whole piece of 3D-KSC to load the GOD molecules for glucose biosensing. The morphologies of integrated 3D-KSC and 3D-KSC/GOD electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SEM results revealed a 3D honeycomb macroporous structure of the integrated 3D-KSC electrode. The TEM results showed some microporosities and defects in the 3D-KSC electrode. The electrochemical behaviors and electrocatalytic performance of the integrated 3D-KSC/GOD electrode were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The effects of pH and scan rates on the electrochemical response of the biosensor have been studied in detail. The glucose biosensor showed a wide linear range from 0.1 mM to 14.0 mM with a high sensitivity of 1.73 μA mM(-1) and a low detection limit of 50.75 μM. Furthermore, the glucose biosensor exhibited high selectivity, good repeatability and reproducibility, and good stability.

The Prevalence and Antecedents of Religious Beliefs About Health Control in the US Population: Variations by Race and Religious Background.

PubMed

Hayward, R David; Krause, Neal; Pargament, Kenneth

2017-12-01

The ways in which religious beliefs influence beliefs about health have important implications for motivation to engage in positive health behaviors and comply with medical treatment. This study examines the prevalence of two health-related religious beliefs: belief in healing miracles and deferral of responsibility for health outcomes to God. Data came from a representative nationwide US survey of religion and health (N = 3010). Full-factorial ANOVA indicated that there were significant differences in both dimensions of belief by race, by religious background, and by the interaction between the two. Black people believed religion played the largest role in health regardless of religious background. Among White and Hispanic groups, Evangelical Protestants placed more responsibility for their health on God in comparison with other religious groups. ANCOVA controlling for background factors socioeconomic status, health, and religious involvement partially explained these group differences.

Benevolent Images of God, Gratitude, and Physical Health Status.

PubMed

Krause, Neal; Emmons, Robert A; Ironson, Gail

2015-08-01

This study has two goals. The first is to assess whether a benevolent image of God is associated with better physical health. The second goal is to examine the aspects of congregational life that is associated with a benevolent image of God. Data from a new nationwide survey (N = 1774) are used to test the following core hypotheses: (1) people who attend worship services more often and individuals who receive more spiritual support from fellow church members (i.e., informal assistance that is intended to increase the religious beliefs and behaviors of the recipient) will have more benevolent images of God, (2) individuals who believe that God is benevolent will feel more grateful to God, (3) study participants who are more grateful to God will be more hopeful about the future, and (4) greater hope will be associated with better health. The data provide support for each of these relationships.

Feeling Is Believing: Inspiration Encourages Belief in God.

PubMed

Critcher, Clayton R; Lee, Chan Jean

2018-05-01

Even without direct evidence of God's existence, about half of the world's population believes in God. Although previous research has found that people arrive at such beliefs intuitively instead of analytically, relatively little research has aimed to understand what experiences encourage or legitimate theistic belief systems. Using cross-cultural correlational and experimental methods, we investigated whether the experience of inspiration encourages a belief in God. Participants who dispositionally experience more inspiration, were randomly assigned to relive or have an inspirational experience, or reported such experiences to be more inspirational all showed stronger belief in God. These effects were specific to inspiration (instead of adjacent affective experiences) and a belief in God (instead of other empirically unverifiable claims). Being inspired by someone or something (but not inspired to do something) offers a spiritually transcendent experience that elevates belief in God, in part because it makes people feel connected to something beyond themselves.

Psychoanalytic Bases for One's Image of God: Fact or Artifact?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buri, John R.

As a result of Freud's seminal postulations of the psychoanalytic bases for one's God-concept, it is a frequently accepted hypothesis that an individual's image of God is largely a reflection of experiences with and feelings toward one's own father. While such speculations as to an individual's phenomenological conceptions of God have an…

The Mediational Role of Psychological Basic Needs in the Relation Between Conception of God and Psychological Outcomes.

PubMed

Costa, Sebastiano; Gugliandolo, Maria C; Barberis, Nadia; Larcan, Rosalba

2016-02-01

Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between conception of God and psychological outcomes in a self-determination theory (SDT) framework. The aim of this study was to examine the role of basic psychological needs as a mediator of the association between conception of God and psychological outcomes. In a sample of 210 religious young adults, we found that the concept of a controlling God was positively associated with feelings of need frustration and depression, whilst the concept of an autonomy-supporting God was positively associated with feelings of need satisfaction and vitality. In turn, need satisfaction promoted feelings of vitality, whereas need frustration led to feelings of depression. The satisfaction of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between autonomy-supporting God and vitality, whilst the frustration of needs was a full mediator of the relationship between controlling God and depression. These findings are discussed in terms of SDT. We also discuss how future research may further increase our understanding of the dynamics involved in concepts of God and psychological outcomes.

A sensitive glucose biosensor based on Ag@C core-shell matrix.

PubMed

Zhou, Xuan; Dai, Xingxin; Li, Jianguo; Long, Yumei; Li, Weifeng; Tu, Yifeng

2015-04-01

Nano-Ag particles were coated with colloidal carbon (Ag@C) to improve its biocompatibility and chemical stability for the preparation of biosensor. The core-shell structure was evidenced by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectra revealed that the carbon shell is rich of function groups such as -OH and -COOH. The as-prepared Ag@C core-shell structure can offer favorable microenvironment for immobilizing glucose oxidase and the direct electrochemistry process of glucose oxidase (GOD) at Ag@C modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was realized. The modified electrode exhibited good response to glucose. Under optimum experimental conditions the biosensor linearly responded to glucose concentration in the range of 0.05-2.5mM, with a detection limit of 0.02mM (S/N=3). The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (KM(app)) of the biosensor is calculated to be 1.7mM, suggesting high enzymatic activity and affinity toward glucose. In addition, the GOD-Ag@C/Nafion/GCE shows good reproducibility and long-term stability. These results suggested that core-shell structured Ag@C is an ideal matrix for the immobilization of the redox enzymes and further the construction of the sensitive enzyme biosensor. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enzyme-modified nanoporous gold-based electrochemical biosensors.

PubMed

Qiu, Huajun; Xue, Luyan; Ji, Guanglei; Zhou, Guiping; Huang, Xirong; Qu, Yinbo; Gao, Peiji

2009-06-15

On the basis of the unique physical and chemical properties of nanoporous gold (NPG), which was obtained simply by dealloying Ag from Au/Ag alloy, an attempt was made in the present study to develop NPG-based electrochemical biosensors. The NPG-modified glassy carbon electrode (NPG/GCE) exhibited high-electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), which resulted in a remarkable decrease in the overpotential of NADH and H(2)O(2) electro-oxidation when compared with the gold sheet electrode. The high density of edge-plane-like defective sites and large specific surface area of NPG should be responsible for the electrocatalytic behavior. Such electrocatalytic behavior of the NPG/GCE permitted effective low-potential amperometric biosensing of ethanol or glucose via the incorporation of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) or glucose oxidase (GOD) within the three-dimensional matrix of NPG. The ADH- and GOD-modified NPG-based biosensors showed good analytical performance for biosensing ethanol and glucose due to the clean, reproducible and uniformly distributed microstructure of NPG. The stabilization effect of NPG on the incorporated enzymes also made the constructed biosensors very stable. After 1 month storage at 4 degrees C, the ADH- and GOD-based biosensors lost only 5.0% and 4.2% of the original current response. All these indicated that NPG was a promising electrode material for biosensors construction.

Psychoanalytic theory and loving God concepts: parent referencing versus self-referencing.

PubMed

Buri, J R; Mueller, R A

1993-01-01

We investigated the relationship of college students' conceptions of the wrathfulness-kindliness of God to their parents' nurturance, their parents' permissiveness, authoritarianism, and authoritativeness, and the students' own self-esteem. Although parents' nurturance, authoritarianism, and authoritativeness were related to participants' conceptions of God (thus providing some support for psychoanalytic assertions), the variable of self-esteem far outweighed all other variables in accounting for the variance in God concepts. These results suggest that self-referencing explanations better account for individuals' conceptions of God than do parent referencing (i.e., psychoanalytic) explanations.

Illness theodicies in the New Testament.

PubMed

Price, R M

1986-12-01

The New Testament writers advocate or at least mention six different religious explanations for the origin of sickness. First, Satan may thus victimize the innocent. Second, God may send sickness as a punishment for the sufferer's sins. Third, God may send sickness to punish one's parents' sins. Fourth, God may so punish one's own sins committed in a previous life. Fifth, God may inflict illness in order to show his power by subsequent healing. Sixth, God may inflict illness in order to show his power by sustaining the sufferer through the illness instead of healing it.

God attachment, mother attachment, and father attachment in early and middle adolescence.

PubMed

Sim, Tick Ngee; Yow, Amanda Shixian

2011-06-01

The present study examined the interplay of attachment to God, attachment to mother, and attachment to father with respect to adjustment (hope, self-esteem, depression) for 130 early and 106 middle adolescents in Singapore. Results showed that the parental attachments were generally linked (in expected directions) to adjustment. God attachment, however, had unique results. At the bivariate level, God attachment was only linked to early adolescents' self-esteem. When considered together with parental attachments (including interactions), God attachment did not emerge as the key moderator in attachment interactions and yielded some unexpected results (e.g., being positively linked to depression). These results are discussed viz-a-viz the secure base and safe haven functions that God and parental attachments may play during adolescence.

Responsibility beyond Rationality: The Case for Rhizomatic Consequentialism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stables, Andrew

2004-01-01

A key challenge for education is to encourage children to act responsibly. If "spiritual literacy" does not involve an autonomous, rational soul capable of "reading and writing the world as God intended", it must refer to ethical (and perhaps religious) capacity in relation to contingent actions in a context free of moral absolutes. In relation to…

Role of religion in cancer coping among African Americans: a qualitative examination.

PubMed

Holt, Cheryl L; Caplan, Lee; Schulz, Emily; Blake, Victor; Southward, Penny; Buckner, Ayanna; Lawrence, Hope

2009-01-01

The present study used qualitative methods to examine if and how African Americans with cancer use religiosity in coping. Patients (N = 23) were recruited from physician offices and completed 1-1(1/2) hour interviews. Themes that emerged included but were not limited to control over one's illness, emotional response, importance of social support, role of God as a healer, relying on God, importance of faith for recovery, prayer and scripture study, and making sense of the illness. Participants had a great deal to say about the role of religion in coping. These themes may have utility for development of support interventions if they can be operationalized and intervened upon.

Role of religion in cancer coping among African Americans: A qualitative examination

PubMed Central

Holt, Cheryl L.; Caplan, Lee; Schulz, Emily; Blake, Victor; Southward, Penny; Buckner, Ayanna; Lawrence, Hope

2013-01-01

The present study used qualitative methods to examine if and how African Americans with cancer use religiosity in coping. Patients (N=23) were recruited from physician offices and completed 1–1.5 hour interviews. Themes that emerged included but were not limited to control over one’s illness, emotional response, importance of social support, role of God as a healer, relying on God, importance of faith for recovery, prayer and scripture study, and how one makes sense of the illness. Participants had a great deal to say about the role of religion in coping. These themes may have utility for development of support interventions if they can be operationalized and intervened upon. PMID:19337932

Of God and Psychotherapy.

PubMed

Karasu, T Byram

2015-01-01

Psychotherapy is an instrument for remediation of psychological deficits and conflict resolution, as well as an instrument for growth and self-cultivation. In fact, psychotherapy is the finest form of life education. All of this is done without psychotherapists' playing a teacher, a minister, a priest, a rabbi, an imam, or a Buddhist monk, but by being familiar with what they know and more. That "more" is about understanding "the attributes" of gods and religions as they serve the all-too-human needs of believing and belonging. It is about the distillation of common psychological, sociological, moral, and philosophical attributes of religions, and the recognition that the attributes themselves are faith and God. Attributes that serve the affiliative needs define faith, for example, belonging is faith; attributes that serve the divine needs define God, for example, compassion is God. Those who have recovered from their primitive innocence need to formulate their ideas of God and religion, regardless of their affiliation with a religious community. One may need to resonate emotionally with the God of his or her religion, but intellectually need to transcend all its dogma and cultivate a personal concept of divinity free from any theological structure. Such an enlightened person achieves enduring equanimity by striving to own the attributes of Gods--to be godly. This is equally true for psychotherapists as it is for their patients.

Authoritarian and benevolent god representations and the two sides of prosociality.

PubMed

Johnson, Kathryn A; Cohen, Adam B

2016-01-01

The Big Gods model focuses on belief in an authoritarian God as a psychological mechanism that inhibits antisocial behavior and facilitates the formation of tight, cohesive groups. Recent empirical evidence suggests, however, that belief in a benevolent God is more likely to inspire helping and inclusivity. Both kinds of beliefs are necessary to explain the development of large-scale societies.

Anticipating divine protection? Reminders of god can increase nonmoral risk taking.

PubMed

Kupor, Daniella M; Laurin, Kristin; Levav, Jonathan

2015-04-01

Religiosity and participation in religious activities have been linked with decreased risky behavior. In the current research, we hypothesized that exposure to the concept of God can actually increase people's willingness to engage in certain types of risks. Across seven studies, reminders of God increased risk taking in nonmoral domains. This effect was mediated by the perceived danger of a risky option and emerged more strongly among individuals who perceive God as a reliable source of safety and protection than among those who do not. Moreover, in an eighth study, when participants were first reminded of God and then took a risk that produced negative consequences (i.e., when divine protection failed to materialize), participants reported feeling more negatively toward God than did participants in the same situation who were not first reminded of God. This research contributes to an understanding of the divergent effects that distinct components of religion can exert on behavior. © The Author(s) 2015.

Assessing the relationships among stress, god-mediated control, and psychological distress/well-being: Does the level of education matter?

PubMed

Krause, Neal

2018-01-24

One of the primary functions of religion is to help people cope with stressful life events. The purpose of the current study is to see if God-mediated control beliefs perform this stress-buffering function. God-mediated control refers to the belief that people work together with God to reduce the effects of unwanted stressors in their lives. An effort is made to probe this relationship more deeply by seeing whether the stress moderating function of God-mediated control beliefs varies across levels of educational attainment. Findings from a recent nationwide survey suggest that strong God-mediated control beliefs reduce the magnitude of the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms, anxiety, happiness, and hope, but only among more highly educated study participants. In contrast, God-mediated control beliefs do not appear to influence the relationship between stress and distress/well-being among study participants with lower levels of educational attainment.

Trajectories of late-life change in God-mediated control.

PubMed

Hayward, R David; Krause, Neal

2013-01-01

To track within-individual change during late life in the sense of personal control and God-mediated control (the belief that one can work collaboratively with God to achieve one's goals and exercise control over life events) and to evaluate the hypothesis that this element of religion is related to declining personal control. A longitudinal survey representative of older White and Black adults in the United States tracked changes in personal and God-mediated control in four waves over the course of 7 years. Growth curve analysis found that the pattern of change differed by race. White adults had less sense of God-mediated control at younger ages, which increased among those who were highly religious but decreased among those who were less religious. Black adults had higher God-mediated control, which increased over time among those with low personal control. These results indicate that God-mediated control generally increases during older adulthood, but that its relationships with personal control and religious commitment are complex and differ between Black and White adults.

Spirituality among African American cancer survivors: having a personal relationship with God.

PubMed

Hamilton, Jill B; Powe, Barbara D; Pollard, Alton B; Lee, Karen J; Felton, Alexandria M

2007-01-01

African American breast and prostate cancer survivors describe their personal relationship with God as very real, close, and intimate. During their cancer trajectory, God was there with them, healing, protecting, and in control of their lives. Participants believed that God provided types of support not available from family members or friends. In return, these participants dedicated their lives to God through service in their churches or through helping others. Findings can help healthcare professionals and others in clinical practice to understand the reliance that many African American cancer survivors have on their spirituality. These findings also suggest that many African Americans perceive their survival from cancer as a gift from God. Therefore, for them, finding a way to give back is an important component of their spirituality.

Parental and God Representations Among Individuals with Psychosis: A Grounded Theory Analysis.

PubMed

Prout, Tracy A; Ottaviano, Patricia; Taveras, Alexa; Sepulveda, Carolyn; Torres, Julian

2016-12-01

Religiousness, spirituality, and social support have all been identified as having a positive impact on overall mental health outcomes. The current study describes quantitative and qualitative assessment of parental and God representations among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 46). Six salient themes emerged; participants described the importance of caregiver love and nurturance, need for God, loss of family members, love of God, concrete support provided by parents, and the ability to tolerate ambivalent feelings toward parents. Participants linked their relationships with parents and God to their process of recovery. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Talking about God with Trauma Survivors.

PubMed

Ross, Colin A

2016-12-31

Severe, chronic childhood trauma commonly results in a set of negative core self-beliefs. These include blaming the self for the abuse, feeling unworthy and unlovable, believing the world would be better off if one committed suicide, and believing that one does not deserve peace or happiness. Linked to these cognitive errors are beliefs that one is not worthy of God's love, that God wanted the person to be abused, and that the person can avoid God's judgment if she does not go to church. Strategies for dealing with these cognitive errors about God are presented within the context of a secular psychotherapy.

What now, Asclepius? Lessons from Olympus.

PubMed

Moore, M R

1996-10-01

Asclepius, the Greek and Roman god of healing, is called before a council of gods on Mount Olympus to account for the shortcomings of his mortal descendants, the present day physicians. Accusations by the gods and Asclepius' defense and explanation bring the gods an understanding of human history and what physicians must become if humanity is to triumph over disease. Asclepius hopes the modern medical profession will understand also.

Images of god in relation to coping strategies of palliative cancer patients.

PubMed

van Laarhoven, Hanneke W M; Schilderman, Johannes; Vissers, Kris C; Verhagen, Constans A H H V M; Prins, Judith

2010-10-01

Religious coping is important for end-of-life treatment preferences, advance care planning, adjustment to stress, and quality of life. The currently available religious coping instruments draw on a religious and spiritual background that presupposes a very specific image of God, namely God as someone who personally interacts with people. However, according to empirical research, people may have various images of God that may or may not exist simultaneously. It is unknown whether one's belief in a specific image of God is related to the way one copes with a life-threatening disease. To examine the relation between adherence to a personal, a nonpersonal, and/or an unknowable image of God and coping strategies in a group of Dutch palliative cancer patients who were no longer receiving antitumor treatments. In total, 68 palliative care patients completed and returned the questionnaires on Images of God and the COPE-Easy. In the regression analysis, a nonpersonal image of God was a significant positive predictor for the coping strategies seeking advice and information (β=0.339, P<0.01), seeking moral support (β=0.262, P<0.05), and denial (β=0.26, P<0.05), and a negative predictor for the coping strategy humor (β=-0.483, P<0.01). A personal image of God was a significant positive predictor for the coping strategy turning to religion (β=0.608, P<0.01). Age was the most important sociodemographic predictor for coping and had negative predictive value for seeking advice and information (β=-0.268, P<0.05) and seeking moral support (β=-0.247, P<0.05). A nonpersonal image of God is a more relevant predictor for different coping strategies in Dutch palliative cancer patients than a personal or an unknowable image of God. Copyright © 2010 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Closeness to God among those doing God's work: a spiritual well-being measure for clergy.

PubMed

Proeschold-Bell, Rae Jean; Yang, Chongming; Toth, Matthew; Corbitt Rivers, Monica; Carder, Kenneth

2014-06-01

Measuring spiritual well-being among clergy is particularly important given the high relevance of God to their lives, and yet its measurement is prone to problems such as ceiling effects and conflating religious behaviors with spiritual well-being. To create a measure of closeness to God for Christian clergy, we tested survey items at two time points with 1,513 United Methodist Church clergy. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated support for two, six-item factors: Presence and Power of God in Daily Life, and Presence and Power of God in Ministry. The data supported the predictive and concurrent validity of the two factors and evidenced high reliabilities without ceiling effects. This Clergy Spiritual Well-being Scale may be useful to elucidate the relationship among dimensions of health and well-being in clergy populations.

Acts of God, human influence and litigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marjanac, Sophie; Patton, Lindene; Thornton, James

2017-09-01

Developments in attribution science are improving our ability to detect human influence on extreme weather events. By implication, the legal duties of government, business and others to manage foreseeable harms are broadening, and may lead to more climate change litigation.

Did Indians of the Americas Preserve Linguistic Place-names Like Willimantic, CT, Indicating Some Islamic Interactions and Applied Physics Use, Before Columbus?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crory, Erica; Mc Leod, Roger D.

2007-10-01

Modern Peruvians document: ``Ñari Huallac is the name of the town in the north of Peru (Piura) where our families come from. The words Ñari Huallac mean Serpent God, [editorial emphasis by underlining script is added], and are some of the few words which remain from the ancient Tallan civilization.'' Tallan seems related to The God, Allah, of Islam, as are Alaska, Allagash, Illinois, Willimantic, CT, and, in Maine, Metallak, Mollocket and Millinocket, Allahpatah, of Florida, and Allegheny of Pennsylvania. With this significance lies the partially concealed evidence that all three monotheistic faiths, during the times indicated by the language, understood there was a fundamental connection between The God, and what we would call today the electromagnetic field, EMF, of Mother Earth. Metallak: Doctor (at) The God (Spirit-signal, EMF), an ecclesiastical title, like Willimantic, The God Spirit-signal (where there is a) doctor. Alaska: The God Jesus Christ Spirit-signal (EMF). Millinocket: Adherent of The God monk Cathar, provides a reference date of about 1250 A.D. Illinois: The God Spirit-signal (EMF-detecting) monk. Mollocket asserted ownership of western Maine, until 1816. What did she know of importance from her war-hostage days in Boston?

Miracles In, Creationism Out: "The Geophysics of God."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matsumura, Molleen

1997-01-01

Clarifies media reports that suggest that flood geology should be taught as part of the biology curriculum to provide support for the teaching of creationist theory. Analyzes the reports and provides support for response on the local level to these claims. (DDR)

Spiritual Struggle Among Patients Seeking Treatment for Chronic Headaches: Anger and Protest Behaviors Toward God.

PubMed

Exline, Julie J; Krause, Steven J; Broer, Karen A

2016-10-01

This study examined anger and protest behaviors toward God among 80 US adults seeking treatment for chronic headaches (66 women, 14 men; 71 completed treatment). Measures were administered before and after an intensive 3-week outpatient treatment program. At both times, anger and protest toward God correlated with lower pain acceptance, more emotional distress, and greater perceived disability. However, when considered simultaneously, anger predicted sustained distress, whereas protest behaviors (e.g., complaining, questioning, arguing) predicted both reduced distress and an increased sense of meaning. These findings suggest the utility of distinguishing between anger toward God and behaviors suggesting assertiveness toward God.

The Relationship Between Trust-in-God, Positive and Negative Affect, and Hope.

PubMed

Fadardi, Javad S; Azadi, Zeinab

2017-06-01

We aimed to test the relationships between Trust-in-God, positive and negative affect, and feelings of hope. A sample of university students (N = 282, 50 % female) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale, and a Persian measure of Trust-in-God for Muslims. The results of a series of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that Trust-in-God was positively associated with participants' scores for hope and positive affect but was negatively associated with their scores for negative affect. The results support the relationship between Trust-in-God and indices of mental health.

Trajectories of Late-Life Change in God-Mediated Control

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Objective. To track within-individual change during late life in the sense of personal control and God-mediated control (the belief that one can work collaboratively with God to achieve one’s goals and exercise control over life events) and to evaluate the hypothesis that this element of religion is related to declining personal control. Method A longitudinal survey representative of older White and Black adults in the United States tracked changes in personal and God-mediated control in four waves over the course of 7 years. Results. Growth curve analysis found that the pattern of change differed by race. White adults had less sense of God-mediated control at younger ages, which increased among those who were highly religious but decreased among those who were less religious. Black adults had higher God-mediated control, which increased over time among those with low personal control. Discussion These results indicate that God-mediated control generally increases during older adulthood, but that its relationships with personal control and religious commitment are complex and differ between Black and White adults. PMID:22865820

Uncertainty, God, and scrupulosity: Uncertainty salience and priming God concepts interact to cause greater fears of sin.

PubMed

Fergus, Thomas A; Rowatt, Wade C

2015-03-01

Difficulties tolerating uncertainty are considered central to scrupulosity, a moral/religious presentation of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We examined whether uncertainty salience (i.e., exposure to a state of uncertainty) caused fears of sin and fears of God, as well as whether priming God concepts affected the impact of uncertainty salience on those fears. An internet sample of community adults (N = 120) who endorsed holding a belief in God or a higher power were randomly assigned to an experimental manipulation of (1) salience (uncertainty or insecurity) and (2) prime (God concepts or neutral). As predicted, participants who received the uncertainty salience and God concept priming reported the greatest fears of sin. There were no mean-level differences in the other conditions. The effect was not attributable to religiosity and the manipulations did not cause negative affect. We used a nonclinical sample recruited from the internet. These results support cognitive-behavioral models suggesting that religious uncertainty is important to scrupulosity. Implications of these results for future research are discussed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Believers' estimates of God's beliefs are more egocentric than estimates of other people's beliefs

PubMed Central

Epley, Nicholas; Converse, Benjamin A.; Delbosc, Alexa; Monteleone, George A.; Cacioppo, John T.

2009-01-01

People often reason egocentrically about others' beliefs, using their own beliefs as an inductive guide. Correlational, experimental, and neuroimaging evidence suggests that people may be even more egocentric when reasoning about a religious agent's beliefs (e.g., God). In both nationally representative and more local samples, people's own beliefs on important social and ethical issues were consistently correlated more strongly with estimates of God's beliefs than with estimates of other people's beliefs (Studies 1–4). Manipulating people's beliefs similarly influenced estimates of God's beliefs but did not as consistently influence estimates of other people's beliefs (Studies 5 and 6). A final neuroimaging study demonstrated a clear convergence in neural activity when reasoning about one's own beliefs and God's beliefs, but clear divergences when reasoning about another person's beliefs (Study 7). In particular, reasoning about God's beliefs activated areas associated with self-referential thinking more so than did reasoning about another person's beliefs. Believers commonly use inferences about God's beliefs as a moral compass, but that compass appears especially dependent on one's own existing beliefs. PMID:19955414

Multi-input and -output logic circuits based on bioelectrocatalysis with horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase immobilized in multi-responsive copolymer films on electrodes.

PubMed

Yu, Xue; Lian, Wenjing; Zhang, Jiannan; Liu, Hongyun

2016-06-15

Herein, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N'-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate) copolymer films were polymerized on electrode surface with a simple one-step method, and the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was embedded in the films simultaneously, which were designated as P(NiPAAm-co-DMEM)-HRP. The films exhibited a reversible structure change with the external stimuli, such as pH, CO2, temperature and SO4(2-), causing the cyclic voltammetric (CV) response of electroactive K3Fe(CN)6 at the film electrodes to display the corresponding multi-stimuli sensitive ON-OFF behavior. Based on the switchable CV property of the system and the electrochemical reduction of H2O2 catalyzed by HRP in the films and mediated by Fe(CN)6(3-) in solution, a 5-input/3-output logic gate was established. To further increase the complexity of the logic system, another enzyme glucose oxidase (GOD) was added into the films, designated as P(NiPAAm-co-DMEM)-HRP-GOD. In the presence of oxygen, the oxidation of glucose in the solution was catalyzed by GOD in the films, and the produced H2O2 in situ was recognized and electrocatalytically reduced by HRP and mediated by Fe(CN)6(3-). Based on the bienzyme films, a cascaded or concatenated 4-input/3-output logic gate system was proposed. The present work combined the multi-responsive interface with bioelectrocatalysis to construct cascaded logic circuits, which might open a new avenue to develop biocomputing elements with more sophisticated functions and design novel glucose biosensors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

World History Workshop (1983).

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-01

if not downright pretentious. That makes me uneasy. Since you have all been or are *about to become teachers of world history, you know what that...maintained His relationship with men in history. Indeed, on particular occasions in history, God has intervened. The Jewish conception of God is of...recorded what God had done to them and for them. God made a covenant with Abraham. He blessed the Israelites and through them he blessed all the families of

Social Involvement in Religious Institutions and God-Mediated Control Beliefs: A Longitudinal Investigation.

PubMed

Krause, Neal M

2007-12-07

This study examines the relationships among race, education, formal as well as informal involvement in the church, and God-mediated control. Formal involvement in the church was assessed by the frequency of attendance at worship services, Bible study groups, and prayer groups. Informal involvement was measured with an index of spiritual support provided by fellow church members. Data from a nationwide longitudinal survey of older people suggest that both formal and informal church involvement tend to sustain feelings of God-mediated control over time. The findings further reveal that compared to older whites, older African Americans are more likely to have stronger feelings of God-mediated control at the baseline survey and older blacks are more likely to sustain their sense of God-mediated control over time. In contrast, the data suggest that education is not significantly related to feelings of God-mediated control.

Chitosan-induced Au/Ag nanoalloy dispersed in IL and application in fabricating an ultrasensitive glucose biosensor based on luminol-H₂O₂-Cu²⁺/IL chemiluminescence system.

PubMed

Chaichi, M J; Alijanpour, S O

2014-11-01

A novel glucose biosensor based on the chemiluminescence (CL) detection of enzymatically generated hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was constructed by one covalent immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD) in glutaraldehyde-functionalized glass cell. In following, chitosan-induced Au/Ag nanoparticles dispersed in ion liquid (IL) were synthesised and immobilized on it. Herein, chitosan molecules acted as both the reducing and stabilizing agent for the preparation of NPs and also, as a coupling agent GOD and Au/Ag alloy NPs. In addition to catalyze luminol CL reaction, these NPs offered excellent catalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide generation in enzymatic reaction between GOD and glucose. The used IL in fabrication of biosensor increased its stability. Also, IL alongside Cu(2+) accelerated enzymatic and CL reaction kinetic, and decreased luminol CL reaction optimum pH to 7.5 which would enable sensitive and precision determination of glucose. Under optimum condition, linear response range of glucose was found to be 1.0 × 10(-6)-7.5 × 10(-3)M, and detection limit was 4.0 × 10(-7)M. The CL biosensor exhibited good storage stability, i.e., 90% of its initial response was retained after 2 months storage at pH 7.0. The present CL biosensor has been applied satisfactory to analysis of glucose in real serum and urine samples. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reliability and Validity of the Perspectives of Support From God Scale

PubMed Central

Hamilton, Jill B.; Crandell, Jamie L.; Carter, J. Kameron; Lynn, Mary R.

2010-01-01

Background Existing spiritual support scales for use with cancer survivors focus on the support believed to come from a religious community, clergy, or health care providers. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a new measure of spiritual support believed to come from God in older Christian African American cancer survivors. Methods The Perceived Support From God Scale was administered to 317 African American cancer survivors aged 55–89 years. Psychometric evaluation involved identifying underlying factors, conducting item analysis and estimating reliability, and obtaining evidence on the relationship to other variables or the extent to which the Perceived Support From God Scale correlates with religious involvement and depression. Results The Perceived Support From God Scale consists of 15 items in two subscales (Support From God and God’s Purpose for Me). The two subscales explained 59% of the variance. Cronbach’s α coefficients were .94 and .86 for the Support From God and God’s Purpose for Me subscales, respectively. Test–retest correlations were strong, supporting the temporal stability of the instrument. Pearson’s correlations to an existing religious involvement and beliefs scale were moderate to strong. Subscale scores on Support From God were negatively correlated to depression. Discussion Initial support for reliability and validity was demonstrated for the Perceived Support From God Scale. The scale captures a facet of spirituality not emphasized in other measures. Further research is needed to evaluate the scale with persons of other racial/ethnic groups and to explore the relationship of spirituality to other outcome measures. PMID:20216012

God's Turnstile: The Work of John Wheeler and Stephen Hawking.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Overbye, Dennis

1991-01-01

Presents an excerpt from the book entitled "Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos." Provides narration of behind-the-scenes events in the lives, the scientific debates, and the intellectual triumphs of the two physicists responsible for inventing the concept of the black hole. (JJK)

The Languages of the Gods.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rojcewicz, Stephen

2001-01-01

Examines poems dealing with Yoruba, Greek, Christian, and other gods, finding that metaphor, transference, cancellation, transport, and justice are all intrinsic elements of the languages of the gods. Examines implications for poetry, for psychotherapy, and for the field of poetry therapy. (SR)

The minds of gods: a comparative study of supernatural agency.

PubMed

Purzycki, Benjamin Grant

2013-10-01

The present work is the first study to systematically compare the minds of gods by examining some of the intuitive processes that guide how people reason about them. By examining the Christian god and the spirit-masters of the Tyva Republic, it first confirms that the consensus view of the Christian god's mind is one of omniscience with acute concern for interpersonal social behavior (i.e., moral behaviors) and that Tyvan spirit-masters are not as readily attributed with knowledge or concern of moral information. Then, it reports evidence of a moralization bias of gods' minds; American Christians who believe that God is omniscient rate God as more knowledgeable of moral behaviors than nonmoral information. Additionally, Tyvans who do not readily report pro- or antisocial behavior among the things that spirit-masters care about will nevertheless rate spirit-masters' knowledge and concern of moral information higher than nonmoral information. However, this knowledge is distributed spatially; the farther away from spirits' place of governance a moral behavior takes place, the less they know and care about it. Finally, the wider the breadth of knowledge Tyvans attribute to spirit-masters, the more they attribute moral concern for behaviors that transpire beyond their jurisdiction. These results further demonstrate that there is a significant gulf between expressed beliefs and intuitive religious cognition and provides evidence for a moralization bias of gods' minds. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simultaneous immobilization of glucose oxidase on the surface and cavity of hollow gold nanospheres as labels for highly sensitive electrochemical immunoassay of tumor marker.

PubMed

Song, Zhongju; Yuan, Ruo; Chai, Yaqin; Jiang, Wen; Su, Huilan; Che, Xin; Ran, Xiaoqi

2011-01-15

A novel tracer, glucose oxidase (GOD)-functionalized hollow gold nanospheres encapsulating glucose oxidase (Au(shell)@GOD), was designed to label the ferrocenemonocarboxylic-grafted secondary antibodies (Fc@Ab(2)) for highly sensitive detection of tumor marker using carboxyl group functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes as platform. Initially, Au(shell)@GOD was synthesized specially by reverse micelle approach, and then the labeling of antibody and the preparation of GOD-functionalized Au(shell)@GOD were performed by one-pot assembly of Fc@Ab(2) and GOD on the surface of Au(shell)@GOD. The ferrocene used to label antibodies acted as a mediator of electron transfer between GOD and electrode surface. The high-content glucose oxidase in the tracer (on the surface and in the cavity) could significantly amplify the amperometric signal for sandwich-type immunoassay. Using carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as model analyte, the designed tracer showed linear range from 0.02 to 5.0 ng mL(-1) with the detection limit down to 6.7 pg mL(-1). The assay results of serum samples with the proposed method were in an acceptable agreement with the reference values. The new protocol showed acceptable stability and reproducibility, high sensitivity, and good precision, which could provide a promising potential for clinical screening and diagnosis of tumor disease. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[The God image in relation to autistic traits and religious denomination].

PubMed

Schaap-Jonker, H; van Schothorst-van Roekel, J; Sizoo, B

2012-01-01

Estimates of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) range from 0.6 to 1.0 per cent of the general population. Among the characteristic traits of ASD are qualitative impairments in social reciprocity and in abstract imagination. Not surprisingly, these traits can affect the personal religion of ASD patients, in the same manner as religious background does. To determine to what extent the religiousness of religious patients is associated with autistic traits and religious background. Dutch adults attending a Protestant mental healthcare institution as outpatients were asked to complete the 'Questionnaire God Image' (QGI) and the 'Autism Quotient' (AQNL). In this cross-sectional study various aspects of the God image were related to autistic traits and religious background. The more that respondents reported autistic traits, the greater was their fear of God and the less positive were their feelings. Respondents who were strict Calvinists experienced greater fear of God than did other respondents. Treatment of religious patients with asd needs to take into account these patients' greater fear of God and their less positive feelings. Those patients who had had a strict Calvinist upbringing had a more pronounced fear of God.

Values as Predictors of Religious Experience in the Lives of Seminary Students of Philosophy and Students of Physics.

PubMed

Głaz, Stanisław

2016-12-01

The aim of this study was to show the preferences of terminal values of personal and social character and the level of religious experience: God's presence and God's absence, as well as to examine the relationship between the two variables in the groups of seminary students of philosophy and students of physics. The following methods were applied in the study: Rokeach Value Survey and Głaz's Scale of Religious Experience. The study was conducted amongst university students in Kraków (Poland). The results of 100 correctly completed sets of questionnaires were analysed. The results analysis proves that seminary students of philosophy have a higher level of religious experience: God's presence and God's absence than students of physics. Seminary students of philosophy most preferred terminal values in personal and in social character. In the group of seminary students of philosophy, from amongst the four most preferred terminal values, two have a significant relation with the experience of God's presence and God's absence, whereas in the group of students of physics only one of them has a significant relation with the experience of God's absence.

Leibniz on the metaphysical foundation of physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Temple, Daniel R.

This thesis examines how and why Leibniz felt that physics must be grounded in metaphysics. I argue that one of the strongest motivation Leibniz had for attempting to ground physics in metaphysics was his concern over the problem of induction. Even in his early writings, Leibniz was well aware of the problem of induction and how this problem threatened the very possibility of physics. Both his early and later theories of truth are geared towards solving this deep problem in the philosophy of science. In his early theory of truth, all truths are ultimately grounded in (but not necessarily reducible to) an identity. Hence, all truths are ultimately based in logic. Consequently, the problem of induction is seemingly solved since everything that happens, happens with the force of logical necessity. Unfortunately, this theory is incompatible with Leibniz's theory of possible worlds and hence, jeopardizes the liberty of God. In Leibniz's later theory of truth, Leibniz tries to overcome this weakness by acknowledging truths that are grounded in the free but moral necessity of God's actions. Since God's benevolence is responsible for the actualization of this world, then this world must possess rational laws. Furthermore, since God's rationality ensures that everything obeys the principle of sufficient reason, then we can use this principle to determine the fundamental laws of the universe. Leibniz himself attempts to derive these laws using this principle. Kant attempted to continue this work of securing the possibility of science, and the problems he encountered helped to shape his critical philosophy. So I conclude by a comparative analysis of Leibniz and Kant on the foundations of physics.

Religiosity and Coping: Racial Stigma and Psychological Well-Being among African American Girls.

PubMed

Butler-Barnes, Sheretta T; Martin, Pamela P; Hope, Elan C; Copeland-Linder, Nikeea; Lawrence Scott, Marquisha

2018-06-02

This study examined how having a relationship with God served as a protective factor between racial stigma beliefs and psychological well-being. A church sample of African American adolescent girls (N = 117, M age = 15) completed measures on racial stigma, psychological well-being, and reports on having a relationship with God. After controlling for adolescent age, family income, and church attendance, positive racial beliefs and having a relationship with God were associated with a healthier psychological well-being. Findings also revealed that having a relationship with God and internalizing healthier racial beliefs were associated with a healthier psychological well-being, whereas reporting higher levels of having a relationship with God served as a protective factor for African American girls when internalizing moderate levels of racial stigma. Overall, results suggest that having a relationship with God can serve as a coping mechanism and promote a healthier psychological well-being for African American adolescent girls.

Experimental findings on God as an attachment figure: normative processes and moderating effects of internal working models.

PubMed

Granqvist, Pehr; Mikulincer, Mario; Gewirtz, Vered; Shaver, Phillip R

2012-11-01

Four studies examined implications of attachment theory for psychological aspects of religion among Israeli Jews. Study 1 replicated previous correlational findings indicating correspondence among interpersonal attachment orientations, attachment to God, and image of God. Studies 2-4 were subliminal priming experiments, which documented both normative and individual-difference effects. Regarding normative effects, findings indicated that threat priming heightened cognitive access to God-related concepts in a lexical decision task (Study 2); priming with "God" heightened cognitive access to positive, secure base-related concepts in the same task (Study 3); and priming with a religious symbol caused neutral material to be better liked (Study 4). Regarding individual differences, interpersonal attachment-related avoidance reduced the normative effects (i.e., avoidant participants had lower implicit access to God as a safe haven and secure base). Findings were mostly independent of level of religiousness. The present experiments considerably extend the psychological literature on connections between attachment constructs and aspects of religion. (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved.

The protective role of religious coping in adolescents’ responses to poverty and sexual decision-making in rural Kenya

PubMed Central

Watt, Melissa H.; Sikkema, Kathleen J.; Ogwang-Odhiambo, Rose A.; Broverman, Sherryl A.

2011-01-01

In this study, we explored how adolescents in rural Kenya apply religious coping in sexual decision-making in the context of high rates of poverty and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 adolescents. One-third (13) reported religious coping related to economic stress, HIV, or sexual decision-making; the majority (29) reported religious coping with these or other stressors. Adolescents reported praying for God to partner with them to engage in positive behaviors, praying for strength to resist unwanted behaviors, and passive strategies characterized by waiting for God to provide resources or protection from HIV. Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa may benefit from HIV prevention interventions that integrate and build upon their use of religious coping. PMID:22505794

78 FR 23636 - Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-19

... Church of God in Christ, 914 North Orleans Street, Chicago, IL; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., St. Luke Church of God.... In the evening, the Committee will hold a Veterans Town Hall meeting at the St. Luke Church of God in...

75 FR 51518 - Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: “Ballplayers, Gods, and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-20

... DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 7126] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ``Ballplayers, Gods, and Rainmaker Kings: Masterpieces From Ancient Mexico'' SUMMARY: Notice is..., I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition ``Ballplayers, Gods, and...

Young Children Manifest Spiritualities in Their Hip-Hop Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Norton, Nadjwa E. L.

2014-01-01

In this article, the author combines multicultural feminist critical theories with the voices of Black and Latina/Latino young spiritual children to extend culturally responsive teaching. The author illuminates how children use their hip-hop writing to construct themselves as people who communicate with God, choose spiritual content for their…

Experimenting with Spirituality: Analyzing The God Gene in a Nonmajors Laboratory Course

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

References linking genes to complex human traits, such as personality type or disease susceptibility, abound in the news media and popular culture. In his book The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired into Our Genes, Dean Hamer argues that a variation in the VMAT2 gene plays a role in one's openness to spiritual experiences. In a nonmajors class, we read and discussed The God Gene and conducted on a small scale an extension of the study it describes. Students used polymerase chain reaction to replicate a portion of their VMAT2 genes, and they analyzed three polymorphic sites in the sequence of these products. Associations between particular VMAT2 alleles and scores on a personality test were assessed by t test. The course, of which this project was a major part, stimulated student learning; scores on a test covering basic genetic concepts, causation/correlation, and laboratory methodology improved after completion of the course. In a survey, students reported the laboratory project aided their learning, especially in the areas of statistics and the linking of genes to behaviors. They reported high levels of engagement with the project, citing in particular its personal nature as motivating their interest. PMID:18316816

45 CFR 12.9 - General disposal terms and conditions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... acts of God or attributable to alterations completed by the transferee to adapt the property to the... of the property not due to reasonable wear and tear or acts of God or attributable to alterations... God excepted. Subsequent to the expiration or termination of the period of restricted use, the...

How Children and Adults Represent God's Mind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heiphetz, Larisa; Lane, Jonathan D.; Waytz, Adam; Young, Liane L.

2016-01-01

For centuries, humans have contemplated the minds of gods. Research on religious cognition is spread across sub-disciplines, making it difficult to gain a complete understanding of how people reason about gods' minds. We integrate approaches from cognitive, developmental, and social psychology and neuroscience to illuminate the origins of…

76 FR 63702 - Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: “Aphrodite and the Gods of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-13

... DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 7645] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ``Aphrodite and the Gods of Love'' SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the following... ``Aphrodite and the Gods of Love,'' imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States...

Man and His Gods, English, World Literature: 5114.58.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dade County Public Schools, Miami, FL.

This curriculum guide examines man's relation to his gods--his fear, love, obedience, worship, and imitation of God--as demonstrated in print and nonprint sources. Classical, Judaeo-Christian, and other outlooks are considered. Reading includes such works as "Oedipus Rex,""The Odyssey," selections from the New Testament,…

Proton gradients produced by glucose oxidase microcapsules containing motor F0F1-ATPase for continuous ATP biosynthesis.

PubMed

Duan, Li; Qi, Wei; Yan, Xuehai; He, Qiang; Cui, Yue; Wang, Kewei; Li, Dongxiang; Li, Junbai

2009-01-15

Glucose oxidase (GOD) microcapsules held together by cross-linker, glutaraldehyde (GA), are fabricated by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly technique. The lipid bilayer containing CF(0)F(1)-ATPase was coated on the outer shell of GOD microcapsules. Driven under the proton gradients produced by catalysis of GOD microcapsules for glucose, ATP is synthesized from ADP and inorganic phosphate catalyzed by the ATPase rotary catalysis. The results show here that ATPase reconstituted on the GOD microcapsules retains its catalytic activity.

A working theology of prison ministry.

PubMed

Hall, Stephen T

2004-01-01

Drawing upon experiences as a prison chaplain and a state director of prison chaplaincy services, the author proposes a working theology of prison ministry. Such a theology begins with an understanding of the inherent worth of humankind as created by God in God's own image, addresses the question of hope, embodies the incarnate presence of God by being present with people in their alienation, enables the giving and receiving of forgiveness, deals with issues of power and control, and respects the diverse paths that humans take in their walk toward and with God.

Attachment to God, religious tradition, and firm attributes in workplace commitment.

PubMed

Kent, Blake Victor

2017-01-01

Research on organizational commitment suggests there is an association between American theists' emotional attachment to God and their emotional commitment to the workplace. A sense of divine calling has been shown to partially mediate this association but, beyond that, little is known. The purpose of this study is to shed further light on the relationship between secure attachment to God and affective organizational commitment. I do so by testing whether the employee's religious tradition is associated with affective organizational commitment and whether the employee's firm attributes moderate the relationship between attachment to God and organizational commitment. Results suggest that: 1) Catholics evince higher levels of organizational commitment than Evangelicals, and 2) firm size significantly moderates the relationship between attachment to God and organizational commitment across religious affiliations.

"To see things as God sees them": theological reflections on pastoral care to persons with dementia.

PubMed

Sapp, S

1999-01-01

Although theology is often seen as impractical speculation on unimportant matters, it serves as a necessary foundation--and provides valuable guidance--for chaplains who must provide pastoral care to persons with dementia and their families. Theology can help us "to see things as God sees them." Among the theological doctrines found in the Hebrew-Christian scriptures and traditions that are particularly helpful are the following: human creation "in the image of God"; human nature as a psychophysical unity; the dependence of all persons upon God's mercy; the centrality of community; and God's judgment of personal worth by standards very different from those of "the world." A model for applying these concepts and some thoughts of the importance of chaplains are offered.

Psychometric properties of the Image of God Scale in breast cancer survivors.

PubMed

Schreiber, Judy A

2012-07-01

To examine the psychometric properties of the Image of God Scale (IGS) in a clinical population. Descriptive, cross-sectional. University and community oncology practices in the southeastern United States. 123 breast cancer survivors no more than two years from completion of treatment. Scale reliability was determined with the coefficient alpha. Instrument dimensionality was examined using principal component analysis. Construct validity was evaluated by examining correlations with other instruments used in the study. An individual's image of God. Internal consistency was strong (anger subscale = 0.8; engagement subscale = 0.89). The principle component analysis resulted in a two-factor solution with items loading uniquely on Factor 1-Engagement (8) and Factor 2-Anger (6). Significant correlations between the IGS and religious coping support convergence on a God concept. Correlations with psychological well-being, psychological distress, and concern about recurrence were nonsignificant (engagement) or inverse (anger), supporting discrimination between concepts of God and psychological adjustment. The IGS is a unique measure of how God is viewed by the depth and character of His involvement with the individual and the world. The IGS may be a measure that can transcend sects, denominations, and religions by identifying the image of God that underlies and defines an individuals' worldview, which influences their attitudes and behaviors.

Ancient cults of the sun (German Title: Antike Sonnenkulte)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, Rahlf

In ancient astronomy, the heliocentric system of Aristarchus of Samos did not meet universal approval. Contrary to that, the cult of the sun gained immense importance in the Roman Empire. Relics of this significance we still find e.g. in the meaning of the Sunday in the week and in the date of Christmas. The rise of the sun cults is characterised by the merging of different gods from various cultures. Already in classical Greece the god of the sun, Helios, almagated with the god of light, Apollo. The resulting entity was regarded as the harmonic guide of the visible universe, symbolized by Apoll. As well as he plays the lyre, he conducts the cosmos harmonically as the sun. Plato recommends to politicians to study musical harmonics and astronomy in order to get a feeling of the right way to rule the state. In consequence to the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Babylonian star religion was mingled with Greek cosmology and the concept of transmigration of souls. The astrology resulting therefrom spread out over the whole Hellenistic world and was very common in the Roman Empire. The calendar with its religious division of time as the days of the week, following the principle of the gods of the planets governing the hour, was well known. The god of the sun was graded up by the adoption of the calendar of the sun from Egypt by Caesar. Augustus chose Apoll as his guardian god and built with “his” sundial a symbol of the god of the sun, which was visible from a long distance. Augustus used more astral symbols as propaganda of leadership. During the competition with the Parthians, another large empire, for world domination the focus fell on an Iranian god: the Iranian god of light and contract - Mithras. Shortly before 100 A.D., a new cult of mysteries arose in the Roman Empire, called cult of Mithras, and spread quickly. It combined the attributes of a classical sun-god with a religion of salvation, guaranteed by baptism, communion and seven degrees to be passed. The introduction of the sun-god Elagabal from the Syrian town Emesa as the highest god of the empire, tried about 220 A.D. by the young emperor bearing the same name, failed. The introduction of sol invictus, however, the invincible god of the sun, by the emperor Aurelian in 274 A.D. succeeded. It was the begin of a development that led to the submission of the Roman pantheon to the sun-god. In the imperial propaganda, the emperor likened his own government to the ruling of the cosmos by Apoll. The cosmocrator, a symbol of the emperor as the sovereign of the world, turned into Christus in iconography. The cult of the sun, shaped by Helios - Apollo - Mithras sol invictus was very popular. For this reason, in the fourth century the christians took over the most important religious festival, the winter solstice, which was the birthday of Mithras, as Christmas and Christ became the “Sun of Justice”.

Conceptions of Parents, Conceptions of Self, and Conceptions of God.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buri, John R.; Mueller, Rebecca A.

Different theorists have suggested that an individual's view of God may be related to one's view of one's father, one's mother, or one's self. A study was conducted to examine the relationship of college students' conceptions of the wrathfulness-kindliness of God to their conceptions of their father's and mother's permissiveness, authoritarianism,…

Assessing God Locus of Control as a Factor in College Students' Alcohol Use and Sexual Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Erin W.

2014-01-01

Objectives: This study explored God locus of control beliefs (ie, God's control over behavior) regarding their influence on alcohol use and sexual behavior as an alternative religiosity measure to religious behaviors, which does not capture perceived influence of religiosity. Additionally, demographic differences in religious beliefs were…

Images of a Loving God and Sense of Meaning in Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stroope, Samuel; Draper, Scott; Whitehead, Andrew L.

2013-01-01

Although prior studies have documented a positive association between religiosity and sense of meaning in life, the role of specific religious beliefs is currently unclear. Past research on images of God suggests that loving images of God will positively correlate with a sense of meaning and purpose. Mechanisms for this hypothesized relationship…

Chinese Christians in America: Attachment to God, Stress, and Well-Being

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wei, Meifen; Ku, Tsun-Yao; Chen, Hwei-Jane; Wade, Nathaniel; Liao, Kelly Yu-Hsin; Guo, Gwo-Jen

2012-01-01

This study examined whether attachment to God moderated the relation between perceived stress and well-being (i.e., life satisfaction and positive affect) among 183 Chinese Christian international students and immigrants. Results showed significant main effects of (a) perceived stress on life satisfaction and (b) secure attachment to God and…

Concept Development and the Development of the God Concept in the Child: A Bibliography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pitts, V. Peter, Comp.

This is a 600-reference bibliography on the development of children's conceptions and artistic representations of God. References are presented in 12 categories: (1) The God Concept, (2) Concept Development, (3) Child Development and Developmental Child Psychology, (4) Religious Education, (5) Children's Religious Thought and Development, (6)…

Religious Socialization and Benevolence: A Study among American Pentecostals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cartledge, Mark J.

2013-01-01

This study explores benevolent action among Pentecostals in the USA using a congregational questionnaire survey of worshippers among the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) (N = 1522). The influence of religiosity and the socialization of a perceived relationship of love with God (Godly Love) are explored, while controlling for background variables. The…

75 FR 15764 - Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: “Gods of Angkor: Bronzes...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-30

... DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6936] Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ``Gods of Angkor: Bronzes From the National Museum of Cambodia'' SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given... objects to be included in the exhibition ``Gods of Angkor: Bronzes from the National Museum of Cambodia...

47 CFR 73.3598 - Period of construction.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... the control of the permittee: (1) Construction is prevented due to an act of God, defined in terms of... judicial review is resolved. Tolling resulting from an act of God will automatically cease six months from... additional notifications at six month intervals detailing how the act of God continues to cause delays in...

My Hero, My Friend: Exploring Honduran Youths' Lived Experience of the God-Individual Relationship

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mitchell, Monique B.; Silver, Christopher F.; Ross, Christopher F. J.

2012-01-01

Extensive social science research has focused on God image and God concept through the lens of attachment theory and the parental relationship. While vast theoretical frameworks exist, the authors suggest that more focused phenomenological research would shed light on adolescent lived experience within experiential descriptive language and…

Disappointment with God and Well-Being: The Mediating Influence of Relationship Quality and Dispositional Forgiveness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strelan, Peter; Acton, Collin; Patrick, Kent

2009-01-01

This study examined the extent to which disappointment with God influenced the psychological and spiritual well-being of 160 churchgoers, and the potential mediating influences of relationship quality (spiritual maturity and relationship commitment) and dispositional forgiveness. Disappointment with God was positively related to depression and…

Mask of Black God: The Pleiades in Navajo Cosmology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schulz, Teresa M.

2005-01-01

One Navajo legend attributes the creation of the primary stars and constellations to Black God. Today, a famous star cluster--the Pleiades--often appears on the traditional mask worn by chanters impersonating Black God during special ceremonies. In this case study, students learn about the Pleiades in Navajo cosmology while honing their…

Growing in Favor with God and Man: Attachment to God and Psychological Separation of Christian, Millennial College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gregory, David Allen

2017-01-01

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine whether Christian, Millennial college students' secure attachment to God relationship could contribute to their psychological separation. This question was addressed by examining (a) the correlation between attachment to parents and psychological separation, (b) the correlation…

The Problem of Evil and Religious Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Randolph C.

1989-01-01

Argues that children need assistance in dealing with the fundamental questions concerning evil and God. Discusses kinds of evil and God's omnipotence. Urges that the relationship of God to evil be dealt with in religious education so that both children and adults can be adequately prepared to deal with suffering and death. (KO)

View of God as benevolent and forgiving or punishing and judgmental predicts HIV disease progression.

PubMed

Ironson, Gail; Stuetzle, Rick; Ironson, Dale; Balbin, Elizabeth; Kremer, Heidemarie; George, Annie; Schneiderman, Neil; Fletcher, Mary Ann

2011-12-01

This study assessed the predictive relationship between View of God beliefs and change in CD4-cell and Viral Load (VL) in HIV positive people over an extended period. A diverse sample of HIVseropositive participants (N = 101) undergoing comprehensive psychological assessment and blood draws over the course of 4 years completed the View of God Inventory with subscales measuring Positive View (benevolent/forgiving) and Negative View of God (harsh/judgmental/punishing). Adjusting for initial disease status, age, gender, ethnicity, education, and antiretroviral medication (at every 6-month visit), a Positive View of God predicted significantly slower disease-progression (better preservation of CD4-cells, better control of VL), whereas a Negative View of God predicted faster disease-progression over 4 years. Effect sizes were greater than those previously demonstrated for psychosocial variables known to predict HIV-disease-progression, such as depression and coping. Results remained significant even after adjusting for church attendance and psychosocial variables (health behaviors, mood, and coping). These results provide good initial evidence that spiritual beliefs may predict health outcomes.

God put a thought into my mind: the charismatic Christian experience of receiving communications from God.

PubMed

Dein, Simon; Cook, Christopher C H

2015-02-07

The agentive aspects of communicative religious experiences remain somewhat neglected in the social sciences literature. There is a need for phenomenological descriptions of these experiences and the ways in which they differ from culturally defined psychopathological states. In this semi-structured interview study, eight congregants attending an evangelical church in London were asked to describe their experiences of God communicating with them. Communications from God were related to current events rather than to the prediction of future events. These communications were received as thoughts and do not generally reveal metaphysical insights, but rather they relate to the mundane world. They provided direction, consolation and empowerment in the lives of those receiving them. Individuals recounted that on occasion God sometimes speaks audibly, or accompanied by supernatural phenomena, but in the vast majority of cases, the way God speaks is through thoughts or impressions. In all instances, agency is maintained, individuals can choose to obey the thoughts/voices or not. The findings are discussed in relation to externalisation of agency and the phenomenon of thought insertion in schizophrenia.

God put a thought into my mind: the charismatic Christian experience of receiving communications from God

PubMed Central

Dein, Simon; Cook, Christopher C.H.

2015-01-01

The agentive aspects of communicative religious experiences remain somewhat neglected in the social sciences literature. There is a need for phenomenological descriptions of these experiences and the ways in which they differ from culturally defined psychopathological states. In this semi-structured interview study, eight congregants attending an evangelical church in London were asked to describe their experiences of God communicating with them. Communications from God were related to current events rather than to the prediction of future events. These communications were received as thoughts and do not generally reveal metaphysical insights, but rather they relate to the mundane world. They provided direction, consolation and empowerment in the lives of those receiving them. Individuals recounted that on occasion God sometimes speaks audibly, or accompanied by supernatural phenomena, but in the vast majority of cases, the way God speaks is through thoughts or impressions. In all instances, agency is maintained, individuals can choose to obey the thoughts/voices or not. The findings are discussed in relation to externalisation of agency and the phenomenon of thought insertion in schizophrenia. PMID:25999778

Calcium alginate gel as encapsulation matrix for coimmobilized enzyme systems.

PubMed

Blandino, A; Macías, M; Cantero, D

2003-07-01

Encapsulation within calcium alginate gel capsules was used to produce a coimmobilized enzyme system. Glucose oxidase (GOD) and catalase (CAT) were chosen as model enzymes. The same values of Vmax and Km app for the GOD encapsulated system and for the GOD-CAT coencapsulated system were calculated. When gel beads and capsules were compared, the same catalyst deactivation sequence for the two enzymes was observed. However, when capsules were employed as immobilization support, GOD efficiencies were higher than for the gel beads. These results were explained in terms of the structure of the capsules.

Novel glucose fiber sensor combining ThFBG with GOD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Mengmeng; Zhou, Ciming; Fan, Dian; Ou, Yiwen

2016-10-01

We propose a novel glucose fiber optic sensor combining a thinned cladding fiber Bragg grating (ThFBG) with glucose oxidase (GOD). By immobilizing GOD on the surface of a ThFBG, the fabricated sensor can obtain a high specificity to glucose. Because of the evanescent field, the sensor is very sensitive to the ambient refractive index change arising from the catalytic reaction between glucose and GOD. A four-level fiber model was simulated and verified the precision of the sensing principle. Two methods, glutaraldehyde crosslinking method (GCM) and 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane covalent coupling method (ATCCM), were experimentally utilized to immobilize GOD. And sensor fabricated with the method ATCCM shows a measurement range of 0-0.82 mg/mL which is better than the sensor fabricated with the method GCM with measurement range of 0-0.67 mg/mL under the same condition. By using ATCCM to immobilize GOD with different concentrations, three sensors were fabricated and used for glucose measurement by monitoring the Bragg wavelength (λb) shifts, the results indicate a good linear relationship between wavelength shift and glucose concentration within a specific range, and the measurement range increases as GOD concentration increases. The highest sensitivity of sensor reaches up to 0.0549 nm/(mg.mL-1). The proposed sensor has distinct advantages in sensing structure, cost and specificity.

Still Hoping for a Miracle: Parents' Experiences in Caring for their Child with Cancer Under Palliative Care

PubMed Central

Nafratilova, Mercy; Allenidekania, Allenidekania; Wanda, Dessie

2018-01-01

Context: Parents' despair and feelings of grief, as well as communication and coordination that is less than adequate between the parents and the palliative team, can affect the provision of a qualified palliative care plan for children and their families. Aims: This study aims to explore the parents' experience in caring for children with cancer under palliative care condition. Setting and Design: The research applied descriptive qualitative phenomenology design. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted at Jakarta, Bogor, and Bekasi. Parents who caring their child with cancer under palliative care were in-depth interviewed with open-ended question. Data were then analyzed using the Colaizzi method. Results: This study resulted in two themes, still hoping for a miracle of God and always being surrendered while under palliative care. Parents still hope for a miracle of God to keep having their children during palliative care. The forms of surrendering exhibited by the parents in this study are believing in God, praying to God, saying thanks to God, relying on God, and preparing to face the deaths of their children. Conclusion: This study shows that during palliative care, parents cannot be separated from their relationship with God. Therefore, nurses are vital to the continuous assessment of parents' spiritual needs and to the facilitation of need fulfillment involving family and religious figures. PMID:29736112

Smart Nanocomposites of Cu-Hemin Metal-Organic Frameworks for Electrochemical Glucose Biosensing

PubMed Central

He, Juan; Yang, Han; Zhang, Yayun; Yu, Jie; Miao, Longfei; Song, Yonghai; Wang, Li

2016-01-01

Herein, a smart porous material, Cu-hemin metal-organic-frameworks (Cu-hemin MOFs), was synthesized via assembling of Cu2+ with hemin to load glucose oxidase (GOD) for electrochemical glucose biosensing for the first time. The formation of the Cu-hemin MOFs was verified by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, thermal analysis and electrochemical techniques. The results indicated that the Cu-hemin MOFs showed a ball-flower-like hollow cage structure with a large specific surface area and a large number of mesopores. A large number of GOD molecules could be successfully loaded in the pores of Cu-hemin MOFs to keep their bioactivity just like in a solution. The GOD/Cu-hemin MOFs exhibited both good performance toward oxygen reduction reaction via Cu-hemin MOFs and catalytic oxidation of glucose via GOD, superior to other GOD/MOFs and GOD/nanomaterials. Accordingly, the performance of GOD/Cu-hemin MOFs-based electrochemical glucose sensor was enhanced greatly, showing a wide linear range from 9.10 μM to 36.0 mM and a low detection limit of 2.73 μM. Moreover, the sensor showed satisfactory results in detection of glucose in human serum. This work provides a practical design of new electrochemical sensing platform based on MOFs and biomolecules. PMID:27811998

What Would I Know About Mercy? Faith and Optimistic Expectancies Among African Americans

PubMed Central

Mattis, Jacqueline S.; Powell, Wizdom; Grayman, Nyasha A.; Murray, Yohance; Cole-Lewis, Yasmin C.; Goodwill, Janelle R.

2017-01-01

A small body of research has begun to explore the association between faith and optimism among African Americans. However, missing from the extant work is an examination of the extent to which traditional indices of religious commitment work together with beliefs about God to shape optimism. The present study examines the utility of indices of social location, religious commitment (i.e., early and current religious service attendance, subjective religiosity), belief about the quality of one’s relationship with God (i.e., a belief that one is connected to a loving God), and beliefs about being the recipient of divine forgiveness for predicting dispositional optimism among a sample of community residing African American adults (N = 241). Age, subjective religiosity, and organizational religiosity were positively related to optimism in bivariate analyses. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated a significant association between age, subjective religiosity, and optimism; however, those associations were eliminated once relationship with God and belief in one’s forgiveness by God were entered into the model. Only belief in God’s love predicted optimism in multivariate analyses. Serial mediation analyses revealed that beliefs about the quality of one’s relationship with God and belief in divine forgiveness fully mediated the relationship between subjective religiosity and optimism, but that the relationship is driven largely by relationship with God. Implications of these findings are discussed. PMID:29057016

"Neither Dewey nor Dubya": An Alternative

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carpenter, Wade A.

2005-01-01

As amply documented by "evangelical/liberal" Jim Wallis in his new "God's Politics", any country can be profoundly improved by voices of faith, hope, and love whose appeals are to reason, conscience, and civility, and who have avoided the entrapments of partisanship. Among such voices have been those of Martin Luther King,…

48 CFR 52.249-10 - Default (Fixed-Price Construction).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... God or of the public enemy, (ii) acts of the Government in either its sovereign or contractual.... Examples of such causes include (i) acts of God or of the public enemy, (ii) acts of the Government in... of such causes include (i) acts of God or of the public enemy, (ii) acts of the Government in either...

Worldly and Otherworldly Virtue: Likeness to God as Educational Ideal in Plato, Plotinus, and Today

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zovko, Marie-Élise

2018-01-01

In Plato, 'Becoming like God' constitutes the "telos" of the philosophical life. Our 'likeness to God' is rooted in the relationship of the divine paradeigma to its image established in the generation of the Cosmos. This relationship makes knowledge and virtue possible, and informs Plato's theory of education. Related concepts preexist…

Children's Image of God and Their Parents: Explorations in Children's Spirituality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baring, Rito

2012-01-01

Exploring children's image of God and parents has invited interest among program preparers for children's spirituality in the Philippines. This research seeks to find out the fundamental orientation of children's image of God as well as their perceptions of father and mother from 241 fifth graders in three selected government primary schools in…

Divine Intuition: Cognitive Style Influences Belief in God

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shenhav, Amitai; Rand, David G.; Greene, Joshua D.

2012-01-01

Some have argued that belief in God is intuitive, a natural (by-)product of the human mind given its cognitive structure and social context. If this is true, the extent to which one believes in God may be influenced by one's more general tendency to rely on intuition versus reflection. Three studies support this hypothesis, linking intuitive…

78 FR 5251 - National Day of Hope and Resolve, 2013

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-24

... fought for a future where everyone has an equal chance at opportunity. Millions of men, women, and children have made service their mission, reaffirming that America's greatest strength lies not in might or... humbled by the responsibilities entrusted to me by our people, and I pray God's grace will see us through...

The Space-Age Source of Spiritual Nurturing. Spotlight: Montessori Potpourri.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolf, Aline

2001-01-01

Explores Montessori's concept of cosmic education and recommends expanding it in school curricula. Suggests integration of science about the universe and earth with intuitions about the meaning of life and humans' role in the universe. Discusses God versus chance as the source of life, and emphasizes developing cosmic values and responsibilities.…

Celastrol: Molecular targets of Thunder God Vine.

PubMed

Salminen, Antero; Lehtonen, Marko; Paimela, Tuomas; Kaarniranta, Kai

2010-04-09

Celastrol, a quinone methide triterpene, is a pharmacologically active compound present in Thunder God Vine root extracts used as a remedy of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis. Celastrol is one of the most promising medicinal molecules isolated from the plant extracts of traditional medicines. Molecular studies have identified several molecular targets which are mostly centered on the inhibition of IKK-NF-kappaB signaling. Celastrol (i) inhibits directly the IKKalpha and beta kinases, (ii) inactivates the Cdc37 and p23 proteins which are co-chaperones of HSP90, (iii) inhibits the function of proteasomes, and (iv) activates the HSF1 and subsequently triggers the heat shock response. It seems that the quinone methide structure present in celastrol can react with the thiol groups of cysteine residues, forming covalent protein adducts. In laboratory experiments, celastrol has proved to be a potent inhibitor of inflammatory responses and cancer formation as well as alleviating diseases of proteostasis deficiency. Celastrol needs still to pass several hurdles, e.g. ADMET assays, before it can enter the armoury of western drugs. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Good God?!? Lamentations as a model for mourning the loss of the good God.

PubMed

Houck-Loomis, Tiffany

2012-09-01

This article will address the devastating psychological and social effects due to the loss of one's primary love-object, namely God in the case of faith communities and religious individuals. By using Melanie Klein's Object Relations Theory (Klein in Envy and gratitude and other works 1946/1963. The Free Press, New York, 1975a) as a way to enter the text of Lamentations, I will articulate an alternative reading that can serve as a model for Pastors and Educators to use when walking with individuals and communities through unspeakable losses. I will argue that Lamentations may be used as a tool for naming confounding depression and anxiety that stems from a damaged introjected object (one's personal God). This tool may provide individuals and communities a framework for placing anger and contempt upon God in order to re-assimilate this loved yet hated object, eventually leading toward healing and restoration of the self.

Religious views on suicide among the Baganda, Uganda: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Mugisha, James; Hjelmeland, Heidi; Kinyanda, Eugene; Knizek, Birthe Loa

2013-04-01

Relatively little research has been conducted on religion and suicide in Africa, yet religion has a lot of influence on people's way of life in Africa. To study religious views on suicide among the Baganda, Uganda, we used grounded theory and discourse analysis on a total of 28 focus groups and 30 key informant interviews. Suicide is largely seen as a breach of God's doctrine life is sacred, God's commandment thou shall not kill, and God's rule of agape. The study also focuses on the consequences of breaching God's divine providence: punishment from God and the Church. Religion still has a lot of influence on people's views on suicide in Uganda despite the challenges highlighted in the study. A recommendation from these results is that suicide prevention should cater to divergent views on religion and suicide. More qualitative research should be conducted in this area to facilitate theoretical comparison with this study.

God and the search for meaning among hospice caregivers.

PubMed

Mickley, J R; Pargament, K I; Brant, C R; Hipp, K M

1998-01-01

The purposes of this study were (1) to describe both religious and nonreligious appraisals of caregiving for a terminally ill patient and (2) to explore the relationship between these appraisals with situational outcomes, mental health outcomes, and spiritual health outcomes in the caregivers. Ninety-two caregivers completed a questionnaire consisting of religious and nonreligious appraisals, general and religious outcomes, depression, anxiety, and purpose in life. Caregivers who appraised their situation as part of God's plan or as a means of gaining strength or understanding from God reported positive outcomes while caregivers who viewed their situation as unjust, as unfair punishment from God, or as desertion from God had low scores on mental and spiritual health outcomes. Religious appraisals made a significant and unique contribution to the prediction of situational outcomes and mental and spiritual health outcomes above and beyond the effects of nonreligious appraisals.

Conscientizacion of the Oppressed Language and the Politics of Humor in Ana Castillo's "So Far from God"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thananopavarn, Susan

2012-01-01

This essay explores the relationship between Ana Castillo's novel "So Far from God" (1993) and her development of an activist poetics inspired by Paulo Freire's influential 1970 treatise "Pedagogy of the Oppressed." "So Far from God" may be understood as the practical application of Castillo's theory of "conscienticized poetics"; that is, the…

Exploring God: Using the Arts as a Way to Engage Secondary Students in Discussions about God

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reingold, Matt

2016-01-01

The article presents research from a practitioner research study conducted in a non-denominational Jewish secondary school. As part of the study, students created artistic works based on chapter 12 of the biblical book of Numbers. Four of the twelve student groups created works that directly engaged with their conceptions of God as represented in…

A Revised Semantic Differential Scale Distinguishing between Negative and Positive God Images

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Francis, Leslie J.; Robbins, Mandy; Gibson, Harry M.

2006-01-01

A sample of 755 school pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 years completed the Benson and Spilka semantic differential measure of God images. Factor analysis indicated the advantages of re-scoring the measure as an eight item unidimensional index, defining semantic space relating to God images ranging from negative affect to positive affect.…

Children and God in the Multicultural Society

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Torstenson-Ed, Tullie

2006-01-01

What kind of perceptions of God do children have? Do they believe in God? Does change take place over time and is there a connection with changes in society? These questions are answered on the basis of texts and surveys involving children between 8 and 12 years of age in Sweden during 2002 and similar material from the years 1969, 1979 and…

God-Mediated Control and Change in Self-Rated Health

PubMed Central

Krause, Neal

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to see if feelings of God-mediated control are associated with change in self-rated health over time. In the process, an effort was made to see if a sense of meaning in life and optimism mediated the relationship between God-mediated control and change in health. The following hypothesized relationships were contained in the conceptual model that was developed to evaluate these issues: (1) people who go to church more often tend to have stronger God-mediated control beliefs than individuals who do not attend worship services as often; (2) people with a strong sense of God-mediated control are more likely to find a sense of meaning in life and be more optimistic than individuals who do not have a strong sense of God-mediated control; (3) people who are optimistic and who have a strong sense of meaning in life will rate their health more favorably over time than individuals who are not optimistic, as well as individuals who have not found a sense of meaning in life. Data from a longitudinal nationwide survey of older adults provided support for each of these hypotheses. PMID:21057586

The relationship between core self-evaluations, views of god, and intrinsic/extrinsic religious motivation.

PubMed

Smither, James W; Walker, Alan G

2015-04-01

Core self-evaluations refer to a higher-order construct that subsumes four well-established traits in the personality literature: self-esteem, generalized self-efficacy, (low) neuroticism, and (internal) locus of control. Studies that have examined the relationship between various measures of religiosity and individual components of core self-evaluations show no clear pattern of relationships. The absence of a clear pattern may be due to the failure of most previous studies in this area to use theory to guide research. Therefore, theories related to core self-evaluations, religious motivation, and views of God were used to develop and test four hypotheses. 220 adults completed measures of four religious attitudes (intrinsic religious motivation, extrinsic religious motivation, viewing God as loving, and viewing God as punitive), general religiosity, and core self-evaluations, separated by 6 weeks (with the order of measures counterbalanced). Multivariate multiple regression, controlling for general religiosity, showed that core self-evaluations were positively related to viewing God as loving, negatively related to viewing God as punitive, and negatively related to extrinsic religious motivation. The hypothesis that core self-evaluations would be positively related to intrinsic religious motivation was not supported.

God-Mediated Control and Change in Self-Rated Health.

PubMed

Krause, Neal

2010-10-01

The purpose of this study was to see if feelings of God-mediated control are associated with change in self-rated health over time. In the process, an effort was made to see if a sense of meaning in life and optimism mediated the relationship between God-mediated control and change in health. The following hypothesized relationships were contained in the conceptual model that was developed to evaluate these issues: (1) people who go to church more often tend to have stronger God-mediated control beliefs than individuals who do not attend worship services as often; (2) people with a strong sense of God-mediated control are more likely to find a sense of meaning in life and be more optimistic than individuals who do not have a strong sense of God-mediated control; (3) people who are optimistic and who have a strong sense of meaning in life will rate their health more favorably over time than individuals who are not optimistic, as well as individuals who have not found a sense of meaning in life. Data from a longitudinal nationwide survey of older adults provided support for each of these hypotheses.

A Paradigm to Assess Implicit Attitudes towards God: The Positive/Negative God Associations Task.

PubMed

Pirutinsky, Steven; Carp, Sean; Rosmarin, David H

2017-02-01

Psychological research on the relationship between spirituality/religion and mental health has grown considerably over the past several decades and now constitutes a sizable body of scholarship. Among dimensions of S/R, positive beliefs about God have been significantly related to better mental health outcomes, and conversely negative beliefs about God are generally associated with more distress. However, prior research on this topic has relied heavily upon self-report Likert-type scales, which are vulnerable to self-report biases and measure only explicit cognitive processes. In this study, we developed and validated an implicit social cognition task, the Positive/Negative God Go/No-go Association Task (PNG-GNAT), for use in psychological research on spirituality and religion (S/R). Preliminary evidence in a large sample (N = 381) suggests that the PNG-GNAT demonstrates internal consistency, test-retest and split-half reliability, and concurrent evidence of validity. Further, our results suggest that PNG-GNAT scores represent different underlying dimensions of S/R than explicit self-report measures, and incrementally predict mental health above and beyond self-report assessment. The PNG-GNAT appears to be an effective tool for measuring implicit positive/negative beliefs about God.

Nietzche's echo--a dialogue with Thomas Altizer.

PubMed

Moss, David M

2010-03-01

Prophets provoke psychological unrest, especially when exposing accepted beliefs as profound deceptions. The biblical prophets exemplify such confrontation as do certain atheists ardently opposed to the images of God created by those seers. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche dramatically illustrates this type of counterforce to the Judeo-Christian tradition. His prophet Zarathustra is intended to be a model for the modern mind, one free of superstitions inflicted by antiquated religious dogma. Nietzsche's credo "God is dead" served as a declaration for the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century, it became a theological diagnosis. As a "movement," or "tenor," the death of God or radical theology was spearheaded by Thomas Altizer, a well-published young professor center-staged during the turbulent 1960s. His work foreshadows a new strain of atheism currently represented by biologist Richard Dawkins (2006, The God delusion. New York: Houghton Mifflin), philosopher Daniel Dennett (2006, Breaking the spell. New York: Penquin), neuroscientist Sam Harris (2004, The end of faith. New York: W.W. Norton; 2008, Letter to a Christian nation. New York: Vintage), journalist Christopher Hitchens (2007, God is not great. New York: Twelve), and mathematician John Allen Paulos (Paulos 2008, Irreligion. New York: Hill & Wang). This twenty-first century crusade against belief in God is best understood as a psychodynamic ignited by Altizer's Christian atheism. The present dialogue reflects that dynamic while the prologue and epilogue reveal evidence of Providence amidst claims of God's demise in contemporary history.

Attributes of God: Conceptual Foundations of a Foundational Belief.

PubMed

Shtulman, Andrew; Lindeman, Marjaana

2016-04-01

Anthropomorphism, or the attribution of human properties to nonhuman entities, is often posited as an explanation for the origin and nature of God concepts, but it remains unclear which human properties we tend to attribute to God and under what conditions. In three studies, participants decided whether two types of human properties-psychological (mind-dependent) properties and physiological (body-dependent) properties-could or could not be attributed to God. In Study 1 (n = 1,525), participants made significantly more psychological attributions than physiological attributions, and the frequency of those attributions was correlated both with participants' religiosity and with their attribution of abstract, theological properties. In Study 2 (n = 99) and Study 3 (n = 138), participants not only showed the same preference for psychological properties but were also significantly faster, more consistent, and more confident when attributing psychological properties to God than when attributing physiological properties. And when denying properties to God, they showed the reverse pattern-that is, they were slower, less consistent, and less confident when denying psychological properties than when denying physiological properties. These patterns were observed both in a predominantly Christian population (Study 2) and a predominantly Hindu population (Study 3). Overall, we argue that God is conceptualized not as a person in general but as an agent in particular, attributed a mind by default but attributed a body only upon further consideration. Copyright © 2015 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Atheists, agnostics and Alcoholics Anonymous.

PubMed

Tonigan, J Scott; Miller, W R; Schermer, Carol

2002-09-01

In spite of the strong emphasis in AA on spiritual beliefs and practices, findings are mixed about the importance of such beliefs in predicting AA affiliation. This study of the Project MATCH outpatient (N = 952) and aftercare (N = 774) samples tested three hypotheses about the role of client God belief and subsequent AA attendance and benefit, taking into account that some individuals may, in fact, deny the existence of a God. Longitudinal analyses were conducted (N = 1,526) investigating client God beliefs, AA attendance, patterns of AA attendance and alcohol use. Assessments were conducted at intake and in 3-month intervals using the Form 90, Religious Behaviors and Background, and the Alcoholics Anonymous Inventory. 12-Step treatment was significantly more likely to promote pre-post shifts in client God beliefs, and atheist and agnostic clients attended AA significantly less often throughout follow-up relative to clients self-labeled as spiritual and religious. AA attendance, however, was significantly associated with increased abstinence and reductions in drinking intensity regardless of God belief. Finally, no differences in percent days abstinence and drinking intensity were found between atheist and agnostic versus spiritual and religious clients, but clients unsure about their God belief reported significantly higher drinking frequency relative to the other groups. God belief appears to be relatively unimportant in deriving AA-related benefit, but atheist and agnostic clients are less likely to initiate and sustain AA attendance relative to spiritual and religious clients. This apparent reticence to affiliate with AA ought to be clinically recognized when encouraging AA participation.

Assessing the Role of Attachment to God, Meaning, and Religious Coping as Mediators in the Grief Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelley, Melissa M.; Chan, Keith T.

2012-01-01

Research has examined the relationship of styles of attachment to others and meaning with grief and the stress-related growth process. Less has been written on styles of attachment to God and patterns of religious coping and how these constructs may impact adjustment in persons dealing with loss. This study examines the roles of attachment to God,…

God Loves Us All: Helping Christians Know and Name God in a Post-Holocaust Context

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nienhaus, Cyndi

2011-01-01

Reflection on the Holocaust is still critical today to help all educators teach their students about good and evil in the world today. In particular, reflection on the Holocaust is crucial for religious educators to help people know and name God, as well as help them deal with questions of theodicy, within their everyday life experiences. This…

God will forgive: reflecting on God’s love decreases neurophysiological responses to errors

PubMed Central

Inzlicht, Michael; Larson, Michael J.

2015-01-01

In religions where God is portrayed as both loving and wrathful, religious beliefs may be a source of fear as well as comfort. Here, we consider if God’s love may be more effective, relative to God’s wrath, for soothing distress, but less effective for helping control behavior. Specifically, we assess whether contemplating God’s love reduces our ability to detect and emotionally react to conflict between one’s behavior and overarching religious standards. We do so within a neurophysiological framework, by observing the effects of exposure to concepts of God’s love vs punishment on the error-related negativity (ERN)—a neural signal originating in the anterior cingulate cortex that is associated with performance monitoring and affective responses to errors. Participants included 123 students at Brigham Young University, who completed a Go/No-Go task where they made ‘religious’ errors (i.e. ostensibly exhibited pro-alcohol tendencies). Reflecting on God’s love caused dampened ERNs and worse performance on the Go/No-Go task. Thinking about God’s punishment did not affect performance or ERNs. Results suggest that one possible reason religiosity is generally linked to positive well-being may be because of a decreased affective response to errors that occurs when God’s love is prominent in the minds of believers. PMID:25062839

Exposure to the Eyes of God: Monitorial Schools and Evangelicals in Early Nineteenth-Century England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sedra, Paul

2011-01-01

Through a close analysis of the links between nineteenth-century Protestant missionary thought and the British and Foreign School Society (BFSS) this article suggests that to distinguish Enlightenment educational and social reform from evangelism is mistaken. Emblematic of the social reform projects which emerged in England as responses to the…

A Cross-Cultural Study of Children's Perceptions of Selected Religious Concepts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nazar, Fatima; Kouzekanani, Kamiar

2003-01-01

A survey of 219 children from a kindergarten in the United States and a Kuwaiti kindergarten and Indian private preschool in Kuwait examined children's perceptions of God, death, and the afterlife. The common responses of the children suggest that although different views of Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism may appear contradictory, they are all…

Personal Responsibility versus God's Will: Religious and Non-religious Attributions for the Death of a Friend.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Crystal L.; Cohen, Lawrence H.

Attributions, attempts to link an event with its causes, enable people to understand and react to their surroundings. Because attributions are directly related to understanding events, and because this understanding influences how individuals then deal with events, attributions play a vital role in the coping process. To explore the nature of…

Does the perception that God controls health outcomes matter for health behaviors?

PubMed

Karvinen, Kristina H; Carr, Lucas J

2014-04-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between God Locus of Health Control, health behaviors, and beliefs utilizing a cross-sectional online survey (N = 549). Results indicated that God Locus of Health Control was correlated with alcohol use, physical activity, perceived risk of chronic disease, and beliefs that poor health behaviors contribute to chronic disease (all p values < .05). Multiple regression analyses including covariates and other locus of control variables revealed that God Locus of Health Control was only an independent correlate of the belief that physical inactivity contributed to chronic disease. Insights from this study may be important for future faith-based health behavior change interventions.

Different effects of religion and God on prosociality with the ingroup and outgroup.

PubMed

Preston, Jesse Lee; Ritter, Ryan S

2013-11-01

Recent studies have found that activating religious cognition by priming techniques can enhance prosocial behavior, arguably because religious concepts carry prosocial associations. But many of these studies have primed multiple concepts simultaneously related to the sacred. We argue here that religion and God are distinct concepts that activate distinct associations. In particular, we examine the effect of God and religion on prosociality toward the ingroup and outgroup. In three studies, we found that religion primes enhanced prosociality toward ingroup members, consistent with ingroup affiliation, whereas, God primes enhanced prosociality toward outgroup member, consistent with concerns of moral impression management. Implications for theory and methodology in religious cognition are discussed.

What does God know? Supernatural agents' access to socially strategic and non-strategic information.

PubMed

Purzycki, Benjamin G; Finkel, Daniel N; Shaver, John; Wales, Nathan; Cohen, Adam B; Sosis, Richard

2012-07-01

Current evolutionary and cognitive theories of religion posit that supernatural agent concepts emerge from cognitive systems such as theory of mind and social cognition. Some argue that these concepts evolved to maintain social order by minimizing antisocial behavior. If these theories are correct, then people should process information about supernatural agents' socially strategic knowledge more quickly than non-strategic knowledge. Furthermore, agents' knowledge of immoral and uncooperative social behaviors should be especially accessible to people. To examine these hypotheses, we measured response-times to questions about the knowledge attributed to four different agents--God, Santa Claus, a fictional surveillance government, and omniscient but non-interfering aliens--that vary in their omniscience, moral concern, ability to punish, and how supernatural they are. As anticipated, participants respond more quickly to questions about agents' socially strategic knowledge than non-strategic knowledge, but only when agents are able to punish. Copyright © 2012 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

A Puzzle Unsolved: Failure to Observe Different Effects of God and Religion Primes on Intergroup Attitudes.

PubMed

Ramsay, Jonathan E; Tong, Eddie M W; Pang, Joyce S; Chowdhury, Avijit

2016-01-01

Religious priming has been found to have both positive and negative consequences, and recent research suggests that the activation of God-related and community-related religious cognitions may cause outgroup prosociality and outgroup derogation respectively. The present research sought to examine whether reminders of God and religion have different effects on attitudes towards ingroup and outgroup members. Over two studies, little evidence was found for different effects of these two types of religious primes. In study 1, individuals primed with the words "religion", "God" and a neutral control word evaluated both ingroup and outgroup members similarly, although a marginal tendency towards more negative evaluations of outgroup members by females exposed to religion primes was observed. In study 2, no significant differences in attitudes towards an outgroup member were observed between the God, religion, and neutral priming conditions. Furthermore, the gender effect observed in study 1 did not replicate in this second study. Possible explanations for these null effects are discussed.

[Impact of attachment to God and religious coping on life satisfaction].

PubMed

Láng, András

2013-11-17

Effects of religiosity on satisfaction with life, mental and physical health are highly favored topics of psychology. At the same time, less attention has been directed to how individual differences in religiosity affect believers' satisfaction with life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between attachment to God, religious coping and satisfaction with life. A group of Roman Catholics (n = 94; 49 women and 45 men; age, 30.8±6.2 years) filled in our the survey package. The survey package contained the following measures: Attachment to God Inventory, Brief Religious Coping Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Negative religious coping and anxious attachment to God predicted lower satisfaction with life, even if demographic variables were controlled for. These results indicate that negative image of God is an important predictor of low satisfaction with life, which in turn can have negative impact on believers' mental and physical health. Orv. Hetil., 154(46), 1843-1847.

Mind perception of God in Japanese children.

PubMed

Moriguchi, Yusuke; Takahashi, Hideyuki; Nakamata, Tomoko; Todo, Naoya

2018-03-05

There is a theoretical debate regarding whether children represent God with reference to a human. Most previous studies have assessed this issue focusing on knowledge/omniscience in western children. This study used a theoretical framework characterising mental capacities in terms of motivational/emotional (experience) and cognitive (agency) mental capacities and tested whether Japanese children discriminated between God, a human, a baby and an invisible agent according to these capacities. Three- to 6-year-old children were asked about the experience and agency of the agents. The results revealed that children discriminated God from a human in terms of mental capacities including experience and agency in 3-year-old children. On the other hand, 4- to 6-year-old children, but not 3-year-old children, discriminated a human from a baby and an invisible person. The results suggest that the Japanese children's representations of God differed from their representation of a human during preschool years. © 2018 International Union of Psychological Science.

Exploring the existential function of religion and supernatural agent beliefs among Christians, Muslims, atheists, and agnostics.

PubMed

Vail, Kenneth E; Arndt, Jamie; Abdollahi, Abdolhossein

2012-10-01

Building on research suggesting one primary function of religion is the management of death awareness, the present research explored how supernatural beliefs are influenced by the awareness of death, for whom, and how individuals' extant beliefs determine which god(s), if any, are eligible to fulfill that function. In Study 1, death reminders had no effect among Atheists, but enhanced Christians' religiosity, belief in a higher power, and belief in God/Jesus and enhanced denial of Allah and Buddha. Similarly, death reminders increased Muslims' religiosity and belief in a higher power, and led to greater belief in Allah and denial of God/Jesus and Buddha (Study 2). Finally, in Study 3, death reminders motivated Agnostics to increase their religiosity, belief in a higher power, and their faith in God/Jesus, Buddha, and Allah. The studies tested three potential theoretical explanations and were consistent with terror management theory's worldview defense hypothesis. Theoretical implications are discussed.

God's will, God's punishment, or God's limitations? Religious coping strategies reported by young adults living with serious mental illness.

PubMed

Phillips, Russell E; Stein, Catherine H

2007-06-01

Qualitative research has demonstrated that religious meaning-making coping, defined as attributions of a stressful life event that involve the sacred, is particularly relevant to persons with serious mental illness. However, recent research advances in the study of religious coping have yet to be employed in clinical samples. This longitudinal study examines religious meaning-making coping in a sample of 48 young adults diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder over a one-year period. Young adults with mental illness generally reported using religious meaning-making coping in levels comparable to nonpsychiatric samples. Reports of benevolent religious reappraisals were associated with perceptions of positive mental health, whereas punishing God reappraisals and reappraisals of God's power were associated with self-reported distress and personal loss. Religious coping variables accounted for variation in adults' reports of psychiatric symptoms and personal loss one year later over and above demographic and global religious variables. Implications of findings for clinical practice are discussed.

Meteor Beliefs Project: Spears of GodSpears of God

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendrix, Howard V.; McBeath, Alastair; Gheorghe, Andrei Dorian

2012-04-01

A selection of genuine or supposedly sky-fallen objects from real-world sources, a mixture of weapons, tools and "magical" objects of heavenly provenance, are drawn from their re-use in the near-future science-fiction novel Spears of God by author Howard V Hendrix, with additional discussion. The book includes other meteoric and meteoritic items too, some of which have been the subject of previous Meteor Beliefs Project examinations.

Caesarean section in Ancient Greek mythology.

PubMed

Lurie, Samuel

2015-01-01

The narrative of caesarean birth appears on several occasions in Greek mythology: in the birth of Dionysus is the God of the grape harvest and winemaking and wine; in the birth of Asclepius the God of medicine and healing; and in the birth of Adonis the God of beauty and desire. It is possible, however not obligatory, that it was not solely a fantasy but also reflected a contemporary medical practice.

God imagery and affective outcomes in a spiritually integrative inpatient program.

PubMed

Currier, Joseph M; Foster, Joshua D; Abernethy, Alexis D; Witvliet, Charlotte V O; Root Luna, Lindsey M; Putman, Katharine M; Schnitker, Sarah A; VanHarn, Karl; Carter, Janet

2017-08-01

Religion and/or spirituality (R/S) can play a vital, multifaceted role in mental health. While beliefs about God represent the core of many psychiatric patients' meaning systems, research has not examined how internalized images of the divine might contribute to outcomes in treatment programs/settings that emphasize multicultural sensitivity with R/S. Drawing on a combination of qualitative and quantitative information with a religiously heterogeneous sample of 241 adults who completed a spiritually integrative inpatient program over a two-year period, this study tested direct/indirect associations between imagery of how God views oneself, religious comforts and strains, and affective outcomes (positive and negative). When accounting for patients' demographic and religious backgrounds, structural equation modeling results revealed: (1) overall effects for God imagery at pre-treatment on post-treatment levels of both positive and negative affect; and (2) religious comforts and strains fully mediated these links. Secondary analyses also revealed that patients' generally experienced reductions in negative emotion in God imagery over the course of their admission. These findings support attachment models of the R/S-mental health link and suggest that religious comforts and strains represent distinct pathways to positive and negative domains of affect for psychiatric patients with varying experiences of God. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessing the role of attachment to God, meaning, and religious coping as mediators in the grief experience.

PubMed

Kelley, Melissa M; Chan, Keith T

2012-03-01

Research has examined the relationship of styles of attachment to others and meaning with grief and the stress-related growth process. Less has been written on styles of attachment to God and patterns of religious coping and how these constructs may impact adjustment in persons dealing with loss. This study examines the roles of attachment to God, meaning, and religious coping as mediators in the grief experience for a sample of 93 individuals who experienced a significant death in the prior year. Results suggest that a more secure style of attachment to God was directly and indirectly associated with lower depression and grief and increased stress-related growth for this sample. Meaning, defined as a sense of purpose and coherence, also emerged as an important construct in this process. Overall goodness-of fit statistics were examined for competing models using structural equation modeling. Secure attachment to God, meaning, and positive religious coping were found to have significant direct and indirect effects on grief and stress-related growth. For some individuals, attachment to God may be an important construct in the experience of meaning following a significant death and may have tremendous potential in its direct and indirect effects on overall outcomes.

Developing concepts of ordinary and extraordinary communication.

PubMed

Lane, Jonathan D; Evans, E Margaret; Brink, Kimberly A; Wellman, Henry M

2016-01-01

We examine how understandings of ordinary and extraordinary communication develop. Three- to 10-year-old children and adults (N = 183) were given scenarios in which a protagonist wanted help from a human (their parent) or from God. Scenarios varied in whether protagonists expressed their desires aloud (by asking) or silently (by hoping), whether (for human scenarios) parents were nearby or far away, and whether (for God scenarios) protagonists expressed desires through ordinary means (asking or hoping) or more extraordinary means (praying). Following each scenario, participants were asked whether the recipient (either the parent or God) was aware of the protagonist's desire. Children as young as 3 to 4 years old understood that both loudness and distance limit the effectiveness of human communication, reporting that humans would most likely be aware of desires when they were expressed both aloud and nearby. As well, by this age children reported that God would more often be aware of desires than would humans, but children of all ages often reported that God (like humans) would be more aware of desires expressed aloud (rather than silently). These concepts of ordinary and extraordinary communication continued to be refined through middle childhood. Children's performance on standard theory-of-mind tasks and participants' religious background predicted whether they attributed awareness to God. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Health benefits achieved through the Seventh-Day Adventist Wellness Challenge program.

PubMed

Kamieneski, R; Brown, C M; Mitchell, C; Perrin, K M; Dindial, K

2000-11-01

The Wellness Challenge program introduces the philosophy of the healing power of God and stresses the importance of developing a sense of spirituality in conjunction with the promotion of good health. To employ scientific rigor to the outcome measures of the Seventh-Day Adventist Wellness Challenge program. A 2-tailed, paired sample t test. East Pasco Medical Center in Zephyrhills, Fla. 165 participants. Presurvey, 21-day outpatient wellness intervention; postsurvey, 6 weeks after completion of the program. Changes in behaviors related to cigarette smoking, alcohol use, eating patterns, exercise, water consumption, rest, relaxation, and time spent outdoors, as well as demographic data. Statistically significant differences were found between the pre- and postprogram clinical and laboratory test results for the participants' blood pressure, weight, glucose levels, and cholesterol at .05 alpha. Furthermore, self-health improvements measured by a pre- and postsurvey response confirmed statistically significant improvement in participants' willingness to improve their lifestyle behaviors for a potentially greater quality of life. The Wellness Challenge program offers ways to reduce risk factors related to chronic disease while improving the quality of life within an adult population by allowing people to slowly incorporate newly acquired tools into their everyday life.

Prayer as therapeutic process toward transforming destructiveness within a spiritual direction relationship.

PubMed

Kuchan, Karen L

2011-03-01

This article will expand previous conceptualizations (Kuchan, Presence Int J Spiritual Dir 12(4):22-34, 2006; J Religion Health 47(2):263-275, 2008; J Pastoral Care Counsel, forthcoming) of what might be occurring during a prayer practice that creates space within a spiritual direction relationship for the creation of inner images that reveal a person's unconscious relational longings and co-created representations of God that seem to facilitate therapeutic process toward aliveness. In previous articles, I suggest one way to understand the prayer experience is through a lens of Winnicottian notions of transitional space, illusion, and co-creation of God images. This article expands on these ideas to include an understanding of God as Objective Other (Lewis, The four loves, 1960) interacting with a part of a person's self (Jung, in: The structure and dynamics of the psyche, collected works 8, 1934; Symington, Narcissism, a new theory, 1993) that has capacity for subjectivity (Benjamin, Like subjects, love objects: Essays on recognition and sexual difference, 1995) and co-creation (Winnicott, Home is where we start from: Essays by a psychoanalyst, 1990), of inner representations of God (Ulanov, Winnicott, god and psychic reality, 2001). I also expand on a notion of God as "Source of aliveness" by integrating an aspect of how Symington (Narcissism, a new theory, 1993) thinks about "the lifegiver," which he understands to be a mental object. After offering this theoretical expansion of the prayer practice/experience, one woman's inner representations of self and God are reflected upon in terms of a therapeutic process toward transforming destructiveness, utilizing ideas from Winnicott, Kohut, and Benjamin.

Enzymatic reactivity of glucose oxidase confined in nanochannels.

PubMed

Yu, Jiachao; Zhang, Yuanjian; Liu, Songqin

2014-05-15

The construction of nanodevices coupled with an integrated real-time detection system for evaluation of the function of biomolecules in biological processes, and enzymatic reaction kinetics occurring at the confined space or interface is a significant challenge. In this work, a nanochannel-enzyme system in which the enzymatic reaction could be investigated with an electrochemical method was constructed. The model system was established by covalently linking glucose oxidase (GOD) onto the inner wall of the nanochannels of the porous anodic alumina (PAA) membrane. An Au disc was attached at the end of the nanochannels of the PAA membrane as the working electrode for detection of H2O2 product of enzymatic reaction. The effects of ionic strength, amount of immobilized enzyme and pore diameter of the nanochannels on the enzymatic reaction kinetics were illustrated. The GOD confined in nanochannels showed high stability and reactivity. Upon addition of glucose to the nanochannel-enzyme system, the current response had a calibration range span from 0.005 to 2 mM of glucose concentration. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)(app)) of GOD confined in nanochannel was 0.4 mM. The presented work provided a platform for real-time monitoring of the enzyme reaction kinetics confined in nanospaces. Such a nanochannel-enzyme system could also help design future biosensors and enzyme reactors with high sensitivity and efficiency. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The god within and the god without.

PubMed

Grossman, Teddi

2013-09-01

Spirituality enables the direct experience of connection between the individual and God, and can exist with or without an intermediary such as a religious institution. Via meditation or spiritual practice one can find God within oneself. Seeing oneself as a little Christ or Buddha affirms that one is sacred, and worthy of self-love and self-respect. This self-image is incongruent with violence to the self, such as substance misuse. Through spirituality we learn to see ourselves as parts of a whole, and worthy of the love and respect of others. This love is sustainable, and can fulfill what was unconsciously or consciously sought through the misuse of substances. From the point of view of the therapist, this is the beginning of healing.

Do People Who Believe in God Report More Meaning in Their Lives? The Existential Effects of Belief.

PubMed

Cranney, Stephen

2013-09-01

I conduct the first large-N study explicitly exploring the association between belief in God and sense of purpose in life. This relationship, while often discussed informally, has received little empirical attention. Here I use the General Social Survey to investigate how form of and confidence in belief in God is related to sense of purpose in life, as measured by a Likert item level of agreement with the statement "In my opinion, life does not serve any purpose." Using logistic regression analysis, I find that those who indicate that they are confident in God's existence report a higher sense of purpose compared to nonbelievers, believers in a higher power, and those who believe but occasionally doubt.

Improving Relative Combat Power Estimation: The Road to Victory

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-13

said, “ God is on the side of the big battalions.”10 He presented a point of view that was based preferably on a favorable imbalance in numbers and...CHAPTER 4 ANALYSIS We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. — Albert Einstein The purpose of this

India Culture Box. Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminar Abroad 1994 (India).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benedict, Edward S.

This packet describes how a culture kit can be used to engage students in active learning. While using the kit and poster lessons, students will improve their skills of observation, valuing and analysis. Activities include: (1) a "What is it?" game of exploration of cultural items; (2) poster lessons depicting Indian food, gods and…

The Elementary Forms of Educational Life: Understanding the Meaning of Education from the Concept of "Social Responsivity"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aspelin, Jonas

2015-01-01

This article makes a theoretical contribution to social psychology of education by applying Johan Asplund's social psychological theory to the educational context. More specifically, the article discusses how the question of purpose of education (Biesta in "Educ Assess Eval Account" 21(1):33-46, 2009; "God utbildning i mätningens…

3 CFR 8812 - Proclamation 8812 of May 1, 2012. National Day of Prayer, 2012

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... beliefs and protects the religious freedom of all people to pray, worship, or abstain according to the... are sick, mourning, or without hope, and ask God for the sustenance to meet the challenges we face as a Nation. May we embrace the responsibility we have to each other, and rely on the better angels of...

Theology links Christian ministry with God's call.

PubMed

O'Connell, L J

1984-03-01

Catholic health care ministry originates in and is shaped by the theme of call in the Old and New Testaments. To be specifically Catholic, health professionals and facilities must define their ministries according to the values expressed in this theological tradition. Sponsorship. The opportunity to provide health care enables religious communities to contribute to God's ongoing creation process and to reiterate Christ's call to minister to others. Although health care facility sponsorship thrusts religious communities into the arena of big business, the abandonment of the health care mission could be considered a betrayal of evangelical values. Quality of life. The implicit concern for human dignity that distinguishes Catholic health care facilities should be evident in personalized patient care, just working conditions, and a commitment to healing in the civic community. Stewardship in ethics. The development of business policies and procedures and institutional responses to social change should be carefully considered in light of the Catholic understanding of loving covenant and the Christian way of life. Shared ministry. Health care facilities have played a leading role in implementing the Second Vatican Council's vision of ministry. Sponsoring communities' continued willingness to share responsibilities with laity will be imperative in meeting the health care demands of the future.

Combatant Commander Challenges and the Role of Religion and History

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

a primary role religion often plays in war. Given it is a battle between good and evil, then God “clearly” must be on “our side” and we must seek...the favor of God to ensure America is victorious. America’s leaders have 5 traditionally called upon the country’s Judeo-Christian religious...juxtaposed against the God -fearing and abiding United States.7 President Dwight D. Eisenhower drew this distinction while clearly delivering it in

The Association Between Belief in God and Fertility Desires in Slovenia and the Czech Republic

PubMed Central

Cranney, Stephen

2016-01-01

Context Research on the association between religiosity and fertility—and, particularly, on the effects of secularization on fertility desires and outcomes—has been concerned primarily with mechanisms that are fundamentally institutional and are embedded in formal religious structures. Supplementary explanations focused on noninstitutional dimensions of religiosity have never been tested. Methods Conventional ordinary least-squares regression was used to test the association between belief in God (i.e., a personal God or some sort of life force) and fertility desires among 2,251 women aged 18–45 in Slovenia and 951 women aged 15–44 in the Czech Republic who participated in the European Family and Fertility Survey in the mid-1990s. Results In both samples, substantial proportions of women either were nonbelievers or believed in God but were not institutionally religious. Belief in God was independently associated with fertility desires even in analyses controlling for self-reported religiosity. Women who believed in a personal God wanted approximately 0.2 more children, and those who believed in a life force wanted approximately 0.1 more children, than nonbelievers. Results were similar across several alternative measures of religiosity. Conclusions At least some of the connection between religiosity and fertility apparently is attributable to metaphysical beliefs. Future research on the effect of secularization on fertility decline should investigate the potentially distinct effects of different dimensions of religiosity. PMID:25682844

The association between belief in God and fertility desires in Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

PubMed

Cranney, Stephen

2015-06-01

Research on the association between religiosity and fertility-and, particularly, on the effects of secularization on fertility desires and outcomes-has been concerned primarily with mechanisms that are fundamentally institutional and are embedded in formal religious structures. Supplementary explanations focused on noninstitutional dimensions of religiosity have never been tested. Conventional ordinary least-squares regression was used to test the association between belief in God (i.e., a personal God or some sort of life force) and fertility desires among 2,251 women aged 18-45 in Slovenia and 951 women aged 15-44 in the Czech Republic who participated in the European Family and Fertility Survey in the mid-1990s. In both samples, substantial proportions of women either were nonbelievers or believed in God but were not institutionally religious. Belief in God was independently associated with fertility desires even in analyses controlling for self-reported religiosity. Women who believed in a personal God wanted approximately 0.2 more children, and those who believed in a life force wanted approximately 0.1 more children, than nonbelievers. Results were similar across several alternative measures of religiosity. At least some of the connection between religiosity and fertility apparently is attributable to metaphysical beliefs. Future research on the effect of secularization on fertility decline should investigate the potentially distinct effects of different dimensions of religiosity. Copyright © 2015 by the Guttmacher Institute.

Enhanced Thermostability of Glucose Oxidase through Computer-Aided Molecular Design.

PubMed

Ning, Xiaoyan; Zhang, Yanli; Yuan, Tiantian; Li, Qingbin; Tian, Jian; Guan, Weishi; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Wei; Xu, Xinxin; Zhang, Yuhong

2018-01-31

Glucose oxidase (GOD, EC.1.1.3.4) specifically catalyzes the reaction of β-d-glucose to gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of oxygen, which has become widely used in the food industry, gluconic acid production and the feed industry. However, the poor thermostability of the current commercial GOD is a key limiting factor preventing its widespread application. In the present study, amino acids closely related to the thermostability of glucose oxidase from Penicillium notatum were predicted with a computer-aided molecular simulation analysis, and mutant libraries were established following a saturation mutagenesis strategy. Two mutants with significantly improved thermostabilities, S100A and D408W, were subsequently obtained. Their protein denaturing temperatures were enhanced by about 4.4 °C and 1.2 °C, respectively, compared with the wild-type enzyme. Treated at 55 °C for 3 h, the residual activities of the mutants were greater than 72%, while that of the wild-type enzyme was only 20%. The half-lives of S100A and D408W were 5.13- and 4.41-fold greater, respectively, than that of the wild-type enzyme at the same temperature. This work provides novel and efficient approaches for enhancing the thermostability of GOD by reducing the protein free unfolding energy or increasing the interaction of amino acids with the coenzyme.

Enhanced Thermostability of Glucose Oxidase through Computer-Aided Molecular Design

PubMed Central

Ning, Xiaoyan; Zhang, Yanli; Yuan, Tiantian; Li, Qingbin; Tian, Jian; Guan, Weishi; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Wei; Xu, Xinxin

2018-01-01

Glucose oxidase (GOD, EC.1.1.3.4) specifically catalyzes the reaction of β-d-glucose to gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of oxygen, which has become widely used in the food industry, gluconic acid production and the feed industry. However, the poor thermostability of the current commercial GOD is a key limiting factor preventing its widespread application. In the present study, amino acids closely related to the thermostability of glucose oxidase from Penicillium notatum were predicted with a computer-aided molecular simulation analysis, and mutant libraries were established following a saturation mutagenesis strategy. Two mutants with significantly improved thermostabilities, S100A and D408W, were subsequently obtained. Their protein denaturing temperatures were enhanced by about 4.4 °C and 1.2 °C, respectively, compared with the wild-type enzyme. Treated at 55 °C for 3 h, the residual activities of the mutants were greater than 72%, while that of the wild-type enzyme was only 20%. The half-lives of S100A and D408W were 5.13- and 4.41-fold greater, respectively, than that of the wild-type enzyme at the same temperature. This work provides novel and efficient approaches for enhancing the thermostability of GOD by reducing the protein free unfolding energy or increasing the interaction of amino acids with the coenzyme. PMID:29385094

Adolescents' relationship with God and internalizing adjustment over time: the moderating role of maternal religious coping.

PubMed

Goeke-Morey, Marcie C; Taylor, Laura K; Merrilees, Christine E; Shirlow, Peter; Cummings, E Mark

2014-12-01

A growing literature supports the importance of understanding the link between religiosity and youths' adjustment and development, but in the absence of rigorous, longitudinal designs, questions remain about the direction of effect and the role of family factors. This paper investigates the bidirectional association between adolescents' relationship with God and their internalizing adjustment. Results from 2-wave, SEM cross-lag analyses of data from 667 mother/adolescent dyads in Belfast, Northern Ireland (50% male, M age = 15.75 years old) supports a risk model suggesting that greater internalizing problems predict a weaker relationship with God 1 year later. Significant moderation analyses suggest that a stronger relationship with God predicted fewer depression and anxiety symptoms for youth whose mothers used more religious coping.

Unanswered prayers: religiosity and the god-serving bias.

PubMed

Riggio, Heidi R; Uhalt, Joshua; Matthies, Brigitte K

2014-01-01

Two self-report experiments examined how religiosity affects attributions made for a target person's death. Online adults (Study 1, N = 427) and undergraduate students (Study 2, N = 326) read about Chris who had a heart attack, used religious or health behaviors, and lived or died. Participants made attributions to Chris and God (both studies), and reported their emotions (Study 2). Participants made more attributions to Chris when he lived than when he died, but only when he used health behaviors. The highly religious made more attributions to God, but not when Chris used religious behaviors and died (the God-serving bias); they reported the most positive emotions when Chris lived after using religious behaviors (the Hallelujah effect). Directions for future research in terms of implicit religious beliefs and normative evaluations of religion are discussed.

Adolescents’ relationship with God and internalizing adjustment over time: The moderating role of maternal religious coping

PubMed Central

Goeke-Morey, Marcie C.; Taylor, Laura K.; Merrilees, Christine E.; Shirlow, Peter; Cummings, E. Mark

2015-01-01

A growing literature supports the importance of understanding the link between religiosity and youths’ adjustment and development, but in the absence of rigorous, longitudinal designs, questions remain about the direction of effect and the role of family factors. This paper investigates the bi-directional association between adolescents’ relationship with God and their internalizing adjustment. Results from two-wave, SEM cross-lag analyses of data from 667 mother/adolescent dyads in Belfast, Northern Ireland (50% male, M age = 15.75 years old) supports a risk model suggesting that greater internalizing problems predicts a weaker relationship with God one year later. Significant moderation analyses suggest that a stronger relationship with God predicted fewer depression and anxiety symptoms for youth whose mothers used more religious coping. PMID:24955590

Do People Who Believe in God Report More Meaning in Their Lives? The Existential Effects of Belief

PubMed Central

Cranney, Stephen

2014-01-01

I conduct the first large-N study explicitly exploring the association between belief in God and sense of purpose in life. This relationship, while often discussed informally, has received little empirical attention. Here I use the General Social Survey to investigate how form of and confidence in belief in God is related to sense of purpose in life, as measured by a Likert item level of agreement with the statement “In my opinion, life does not serve any purpose.” Using logistic regression analysis, I find that those who indicate that they are confident in God's existence report a higher sense of purpose compared to nonbelievers, believers in a higher power, and those who believe but occasionally doubt. PMID:24729632

The Influence of God and Providence on Happiness and the Quality of Life of Patients Benefiting from Aesthetic Medicine Treatments in Poland.

PubMed

Galęba, Anna; Bajurna, Beata

2015-08-01

The research reveals the impact of a belief in god and god's Providence on the happiness and quality of life of patients benefiting from aesthetic medicine treatments in Poland (country where over 90 % of society declare to be deeply devout). The work also examines age and sex of the patients benefiting from beauty treatments (botulinum toxin, fillers, medical peels and needle mesotherapy), their quality of life and also the impact of various factors, including God and Divine Providence on their happiness. The research shows the analysis of factors influencing the successes or failures in the past year and presents the comparison of patients who have benefited from the aesthetic medicine treatments (cosmetic medicine) to the common average Polish citizens.

Sacred Choices: Adolescent Relationships and Sexual Ethics--The Reform Movement's Response to the Need for Faith-Based Sexuality Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winer, Rabbi Laura Novak

2011-01-01

"Sacred Choices: Adolescent Relationships and Sexual Ethics" is a sexual ethics curriculum for middle school and high school students developed by the Union for Reform Judaism. Sacred Choices strives to teach Reform Jewish teens that their bodies are gifts from God and that Judaism provides relevant guidance on how to use and care for that gift…

Job Satisfaction in Pharmacies Staffed Predominantly with Technicians.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-01-01

educational experience a reality. I thank God for giving me the ability and opportunity to grow as a professional and as a person . I thank my classmate...1980). Hygines . Factors that prevent the development of job dissatisfaction. Hygiene factors include salary, status, and job security, quality of work...self-expression and self- actualization. Includes responsibility, variety, skill, autonomy, opportunities for personal growth and development, and

Pulpit Responses to Contemporary Issues: The On-Going Rhetoric of Dr. Martin Luther King.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fadely, Dean; Greene, Ronald W.

Many theoreticians have indicated that a major task of the nonpresumptive rhetor is to gain presumption, thereby shifting the burden of proof to the opposition. Rhetorically, Martin Luther King, Jr., sought to effect this shift in the burden of proof through the use of hierarchies of values. At the top of his value system was the love of God. The…

Effects of acoustic wave resonance oscillation on immobilized enzyme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishiyama, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Tomoya; Inoue, Yasunobu

2014-03-01

In aiming at developing a new method to artificially activate enzyme catalysts immobilized on surface, the effects of resonance oscillation of bulk acoustic waves were studied. Glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized by a covalent coupling method on a ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) device that was able to generate thickness-extensional resonance oscillation (TERO). Glucose oxidation by the GOD enzyme was studied in a microreactor. The generation of TERO immediately increased the catalytic activity of immobilized GOD by a factor of 2-3. With turn-off of TERO, no significant activity decrease occurred, and 80-90% of the enhanced activity was maintained while the reaction proceeded. The almost complete reversion of the activity to the original low level before TERO generation was observed when the immobilized GOD was exposed to a glucose substrate-free solution. These results indicated that the presence of glucose substrate was essential for TERO-induced GOD activation and preservation of the increased activity level. The influences of reaction temperature, glucose concentration, pH, and rf electric power on the TERO activation showed that TERO strengthened the interactions of the immobilized enzyme with glucose substrate and hence promoted the formation of an activation complex.

27 CFR 70.413 - Claims.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... rendered unmerchantable by fire, casualty, or act of God. If the claim is allowed, a check for the amount... of God; (4) Denatured spirits lost or destroyed in bond, or lost on the premises of a qualified...

How Much Did Maine's Molocket and Metallak Know about Rapid Climate Change? Did They Utilize Psychological Strategies and Cover Stories to Conceal Their Impact Communities, Observational Sites and Data Collection?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bates, Tiffany R.; Mc Leod, Roger D.; Mc Leod, David M.

2003-10-01

The Pequakets Molocket (adherent of God La[ngued]oc Christ Cathar Spirit-signal) and Metallak operated in NH and the western border area of ME, during the early 1800s. Molocket requested shelter in South Paris, ME during a powerful thunderstorm. Denied access, she cursed that area. Our interests have led us to recognize that there may be psychological reasons that deception is good strategic procedure for concealing valuable activities associated with impact power groups striving to protect their operating turf. Many sites associated with tradition-respecting Native Americans are quite electromagnetically responsive to climate change. Metallak (mathematician-applied astronomer God Spirit-signal) is purported to have driven off his son over purloined furs; that elder son then operated among the MiKmaw/Micmacs of ME and the Canadian Maritimes. They are purported to make the weather. Information protection and surreptitious data collection may indicate an impact groups concealed interests.

Chasing the Shadow of the Sun: The Batammaliba's Binary System of Time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ségla, D. A.

2016-01-01

For the Batammaliba from northern Benin and Togo, the sky is the domain of their Supreme God, commonly called Kuiyé, or Kouyié, and literally translated as “the sun.” They believe Kuiyé is the “sky owner” who communicates through its two sons, the first humans on earth. These two men, originally created by Kuiyé on earth, returned to stay at their father's side in the sky and are said to be responsible for the daily motion of the Supreme God's solar disk, pulling it along the east-west passage. Using foundational archaeology of the Batammaliba's cosmological concepts, we will show how time zone naming and the spatial division in Batammaliba villages allude to Kuiyé's metaphor of original creation in relation to formal and logical reasoning, and how it sheds light on historical memory. We demonstrate that the cosmos has inspired these communities and cultures in a way that is logically reminiscent of human practices in ancient and modern cultural astronomy.

Drowning in the bible and contemporary society: responsibilities of religious caregivers.

PubMed

Avramidis, Stathis

2010-06-01

The aim of this study was to research drowning incidents and rescues that are included in the Bible and provide recommendations for how religious caregivers can support psychologically affected victims. Results confirm that the Bible contains six aquatic emergencies. Persons threatened with drowning were saved by an act of God, a human act and acts of human/divine interaction, when, for example, a person was ordered by God to perform an action which resulted in saving people on the threshold of drowning. The drowning casualties were largely individual males and some cases with multiple victims (male and female) as well. The outcomes of the drowning incidents were the survival of most of the casualties whose stories are told in the Bible. One person is reported to have drowned. Drowning incidents occurred at sea and on earth. The types of rescues used were reach-rescue and rescue and survival. The drowning casualties were rescued from land and from ships and boats by human rescuers. Some rescues were achieved by divine miracles.

Media, risk, and absence of blame for "acts of God": attenuation of the European volcanic ash cloud of 2010.

PubMed

Burgess, Adam

2012-10-01

This article analyzes the character, extent, and patterns of media coverage of the 2010 volcanic ash cloud, comparing it with coverage of other major natural hazards, such as Deepwater Horizon. It does so drawing upon sociological themes and concludes that the ash cloud was reported largely in its own terms rather than being amplified as a wider, uncertain threat. As well as the absence of major incident and casualties two interrelated factors are highlighted to explain this result. Emphasizing the importance of hazard duration, the unexpected arrival and short-lived character of the ash cloud was one important factor that limited the potential for sustained media amplification. More broadly, this was an "act of God" with no clear responsible agents. This preliminary study suggests that contemporary media risk narrative requires a focus for institutional blame attribution, and without a plausible candidate amplification may not acquire momentum. © 2012 Society for Risk Analysis.

Theodicies and professional quality of life in a nationally representative sample of chaplains in the veterans' health administration.

PubMed

Currier, Joseph M; Drescher, Kent D; Nieuwsma, Jason A; McCormick, Wesley H

2017-01-01

This study examined the role of theodicies or theological/philosophic attempts to resolve existential dilemmas related to evil and human suffering in chaplains' professional quality of life (ProQOL). A nationally representative sample of 298 VHA chaplains completed the recently developed Views of Suffering Scale (Hale-Smith, Park, & Edmondson, 2012 ) and ProQOL-5 (Stamm, 2010 ). Descriptive results revealed that 20-50% endorsed strong theistic beliefs in a compassionate deity who reciprocally suffers with hurting people, God ultimately being responsible for suffering, and that suffering can provide opportunities for intimate encounters with God and personal growth. Other results indicated that chaplains' beliefs about human suffering were differentially linked with their sense of enjoyment/purpose in working with veterans. These results suggest that theodicies might serve as a pathway to resilience for individuals in spiritual communities and traditions in USA, particularly for clinicians and ministry professionals who are committed to serving the needs of traumatized persons.

Iranian nurses' perception of spirituality and spiritual care: a qualitative content analysis study.

PubMed

Mahmoodishan, Gholamreza; Alhani, Fatemeh; Ahmadi, Fazlollah; Kazemnejad, Anoshirvan

2010-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to explore nurses' perception about spirituality and spiritual care. A qualitative content analysis approach was conducted on 20 registered nurses interviewed using unstructured strategy in 2009. Three themes emerged from the data analysis: 1) "meaning and purpose of work and life" including 'spiritualistic view to profession', 'commitment and professional responsibility', and 'positive attitude'; 2) "religious attitude" including 'God approval', 'spiritual reward', 'taking advice', 'inner belief in the Supreme Being', 'faith-based interactions and altruism'; 3) "transcendence-seeking" including 'need for respect' and 'personal-professional transcendence'. Therefore, the spirituality produces maintenance, harmony and balance in nurses in relation to God. Spiritual care focuses on respecting patients, friendly and sympathetic interactions, sharing in rituals and strengthening patients and nurses' inner energy. This type of spirituality gives a positive perspective to life and profession, peaceful interactions, a harmonious state of mind, and acts as a motivator among nurses to promote nursing care and spirituality.

ZnS nanoparticles electrodeposited onto ITO electrode as a platform for fabrication of enzyme-based biosensors of glucose.

PubMed

Du, Jian; Yu, Xiuping; Wu, Ying; Di, Junwei

2013-05-01

The electrochemical and photoelectrochemical biosensors based on glucose oxidase (GOD) and ZnS nanoparticles modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode were investigated. The ZnS nanoparticles were electrodeposited directly on the surface of ITO electrode. The enzyme was immobilized on ZnS/ITO electrode surface by sol-gel method to fabricate glucose biosensor. GOD could electrocatalyze the reduction of dissolved oxygen, which resulted in a great increase of the reduction peak current. The reduction peak current decreased linearly with the addition of glucose, which could be used for glucose detection. Moreover, ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO electrode surface showed good photocurrent response under illumination. A photoelectrochemical biosensor for the detection of glucose was also developed by monitoring the decreases in the cathodic peak photocurrent. The results indicated that ZnS nanoparticles deposited on ITO substrate were a good candidate material for the immobilization of enzyme in glucose biosensor construction. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationships between God and people in the Bible, part III: When the other is an outsider.

PubMed

Popp, Carol; Luborsky, Lester; Descôteaux, Jean; Diguer, Louis; Andrusyna, Tomasz P; Kirk, Dan; Cotsonis, George

2004-01-01

This study considers intergroup attitudes in the Bible and compares relationships between God or Jesus and (a) Torah non-Israelites; (b) New Testament people who were not followers of Jesus; and (c) New Testament people who were not Jewish. Torah non-Israelites belonged to an out-group with respect to the Hebrew Torah, New Testament people who were not followers of Jesus belonged to an out-group with respect to the Christian New Testament, and New Testament people who were not Jewish were an in-group with respect to Christians. Results were that God or Jesus' relationships were very negative with people in the Torah who were non-Israelites and with people in the New Testament who were not followers, while relationships were positive with people in the New Testament who were not Jewish. Thus, in conclusion, results indicate that both the New Testament and the Torah portray negative relationships between God or Jesus and members of out-groups. Relationships portrayed in New Testament narratives about God and people who were not followers were sometimes more negative than observed for other groups in the New Testament and the Torah; for people who were viewed as outsiders, the New Testament could sometimes be more negative than the Torah. An aim of this study was to identify patterns of relationships between God or Jesus and different types of people in narratives of the Torah and in the New Testament. One of the characteristics of different types of people, including people described in biblical narratives, is whether they are members of in-groups or out-groups. Our focus in this report is on biblical narratives about people who are members of out-groups. The results contribute a clinical-quantitative assessment of out-groups in the Torah and New Testament that is focused on relationship with God, a central issue in the psychology of religion and the Bible.

Feelings of Gratitude Toward God Among Older Whites, Older African Americans, and Older Mexican Americans

PubMed Central

Krause, Neal

2011-01-01

The first goal of this study is to see if social relationships in the church influence feelings of gratitude toward God. The second goal is to assess the impact of race and ethnicity on this relationship. The data support the following hypotheses: (1) older people who go to church more often tend to receive more spiritual support from fellow church members; (2) older adults who receive more spiritual support at church will derive a deeper understanding of themselves and others; (3) older people who develop greater insight into themselves and others will derive a greater sense of religious meaning in life; and (4) older adults who develop a deeper sense of religious meaning in life will feel more grateful to God. The results also indicate that the study model explains how feelings of gratitude toward God arise among older blacks and whites, but not older Mexican Americans. PMID:23543840

Unbelievable?! Theistic/Epistemological Viewpoint Affects Religion-Health Relationship.

PubMed

Speed, David

2017-02-01

Research suggests that Religion/Spirituality promotes a variety of positive health outcomes. However, despite reporting lower levels of Religion/Spirituality, non-believers report comparable levels of health to believers. The current study tested the hypothesis that Religion/Spirituality does not have a uniform effect on health for all persons, and tested theological/epistemological categories as moderators. Using the 2012 and 2014 General Social Survey (N = 2670), the relationship between Religion/Spirituality and happiness and self-rated health was investigated. Results indicated that Gnostic Theists experienced Religion/Spirituality more positively than their peers did; Agnostic Theists experienced Religion/Spirituality less positively than their peers did; and Negative Atheists experienced Religion/Spirituality less positively than their peers did. These findings suggested that Religion/Spirituality is not associated with salutary effects for all persons, and that whether a person believes in god(s) and how confident he/she was in god(s)' existence, influenced his/her experience with Religion/Spirituality.

The natural theology of Victorian industry.

PubMed

Fisher, Nick

2015-03-01

As clergymen in Britain celebrated the Great Exhibition in the summer of 1851 and drew appropriate moral lessons, there was widespread agreement that the triumphs of industry on display represented the fulfilment of God's will. The basic assumption was that overcoming God's curse on Adam had been possible only through sustained hard work - industry in the early Victorian sense - and that this imperative work ethic had always been God's intention for mankind. In elaborating the details, preachers combined the British tradition of natural theology with the Scottish Enlightenment's progressive science of man to paint a picture of the slow recovery of man from the Fall through his own industry. This was the very story of civilization itself, with God the driving force. The celebrants were quite clear that it was divine providence that had ordained the greatness of Great Britain. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

BH3-only protein Bim is upregulated and mediates the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes under glucose and oxygen-deprivation conditions.

PubMed

Huang, Chahua; Li, Juxiang; Hong, Kui; Xia, Zhen; Xu, Yan; Cheng, Xiaoshu

2015-03-01

Bim is a potent pro-apoptotic BH3-only Bcl-2 member. However, the expression of Bim and its role in cardiac injury induced by ischemia remain unclear. H9c2 cells were subjected to a glucose and oxygen-deprived (GOD) condition in vitro, mimicking ischemia environment in vivo. GOD treatment augmented the expression of Bim and induced the apoptosis of H9c2 cells. Silencing of Bim by RNAi significantly attenuated GOD-induced cytotoxicity, suppressed mitochondrial membrane potential △Ψm loss, inhibited caspase 3 activation and reduced apoptosis. The data demonstrate that Bim is upregulated by GOD in a time-dependent manner in H9c2 cells, and enhances mitochondrial apoptosis dependent on the activation of caspase 3. Silencing of Bim may be a promising therapeutic strategy in ischemia related heart diseases. © 2014 International Federation for Cell Biology.

Spirituality: a cultural strength for African American mothers with HIV.

PubMed

Polzer Casarez, Rebecca L; Miles, Margaret Shandor

2008-05-01

The purpose of this study was to describe how spirituality affected the lives of African American mothers with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the context of coping. This qualitative descriptive study used secondary data of interviews from a larger longitudinal study of parental caregiving of infants seropositive for HIV. Participants were 38 African American mothers with HIV. Data from longitudinal semi-structured interviews were analyzed using content analysis. The women dealt with the stresses of HIV through a relationship with God. Two domains explain this relationship: God in control and God requires participation. The benefits of their relationship with God were a decrease in stress and worry about their own health and that of their infants. It is important for nurses working with mothers with HIV to acknowledge their spirituality and assess how spirituality helps them cope with and manage their illness.

Thinking of God moves attention.

PubMed

Chasteen, Alison L; Burdzy, Donna C; Pratt, Jay

2010-01-01

The concepts of God and Devil are well known across many cultures and religions, and often involve spatial metaphors, but it is not well known if our mental representations of these concepts affect visual cognition. To examine if exposure to divine concepts produces shifts of attention, participants completed a target detection task in which they were first presented with God- and Devil-related words. We found faster RTs when targets appeared at compatible locations with the concepts of God (up/right locations) or Devil (down/left locations), and also found that these results do not vary by participants' religiosity. These results indicate that metaphors associated with the divine have strong spatial components that can produce shifts of attention, and add to the growing evidence for an extremely robust connection between internal spatial representations and where attention is allocated in the external environment. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Galileo's Religion Versus the Church's Science? Rethinking the History of Science and Religion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, D. B.

Galileo's conflict with the Catholic Church is well recognized as a key episode in the history of physics and in the history of science and religion. This paper applies a new, historiographical approach to that specific episode. It advocates eliminating the science and religion. The Church concluded that the plainest facts of human experience agreed perfectly with an omniscient God's revealed word to proclaim the earth at rest. Supported by the Bible, Galileo, God-like, linked the elegance of mathematics to truths about nature. The Church, in effect, resisted Galileo's claim to be able to think like God, instead listening to God himself - and paying close attention to what man himself observed. We can thus see that the phrase ``Galileo's religion versus the Church's science'' is as meaningful (or meaningless) as the usual designation ``Galileo's science versus the Church's religion.''

[The cult of Asklepios and the doctors in Greek epigraphical evidence].

PubMed

Nissen, Cécile

2007-01-01

Greek inscriptions afford several examples of the relationship between Asklepios, the god of medicine, and human doctors in Graeco-Roman Antiquity. Many dedications of steles, statues, altars and even sanctuaries were consecrated to Asklepios by physicians. Other physicians have undertaken the offices of zacorate or priesthood in the worship of Asklepios. In some cities, notably at Athens and Ephesos, the doctors sacrificed collectively to the physician-god. The aim of this paper is to explain these cult relations between Asklepios and the doctors. After the Asklepiads, doctors at Kos and Knidos, who were believed to be the descendants of Asklepios, all the ancient doctors were connected with Asklepios by their techne; the physician-god was the divine patron of the physicians. Furthermore although the doctors rejected the divine origin of the diseases, they acknowledged the healing power of the gods, especially Asklepios, and could seek his help.

African American Elders' Serious Illness Experiences: Narratives of "God Did," "God Will," and "Life Is Better".

PubMed

Coats, Heather; Crist, Janice D; Berger, Ann; Sternberg, Esther; Rosenfeld, Anne G

2017-04-01

The foundation of culturally sensitive patient-centered palliative care is formed from one's social, spiritual, psychological, and physical experiences of serious illness. The purpose of this study was to describe categories and patterns of psychological, social, and spiritual healing from the perspectives of aging seriously ill African American (AA) elders. Using narrative analysis methodology, 13 open-ended interviews were collected. Three main patterns were "prior experiences," "I changed," and "across past, present experiences and future expectations." Themes were categorized within each pattern: been through it . . . made me strong, I thought about . . . others, went down little hills . . . got me down, I grew stronger, changed priorities, do things I never would have done, quit doing, God did and will take care of me, close-knit relationships, and life is better. "Faith" in God helped the aging seriously ill AA elders "overcome things," whether their current illness or other life difficulties.

Feelings of Gratitude Toward God Among Older Whites, Older African Americans, and Older Mexican Americans.

PubMed

Krause, Neal

2012-03-01

The first goal of this study is to see if social relationships in the church influence feelings of gratitude toward God. The second goal is to assess the impact of race and ethnicity on this relationship. The data support the following hypotheses: (1) older people who go to church more often tend to receive more spiritual support from fellow church members; (2) older adults who receive more spiritual support at church will derive a deeper understanding of themselves and others; (3) older people who develop greater insight into themselves and others will derive a greater sense of religious meaning in life; and (4) older adults who develop a deeper sense of religious meaning in life will feel more grateful to God. The results also indicate that the study model explains how feelings of gratitude toward God arise among older blacks and whites, but not older Mexican Americans.

Mentalizing Deficits Constrain Belief in a Personal God

PubMed Central

Norenzayan, Ara; Gervais, Will M.; Trzesniewski, Kali H.

2012-01-01

Religious believers intuitively conceptualize deities as intentional agents with mental states who anticipate and respond to human beliefs, desires and concerns. It follows that mentalizing deficits, associated with the autistic spectrum and also commonly found in men more than in women, may undermine this intuitive support and reduce belief in a personal God. Autistic adolescents expressed less belief in God than did matched neuro-typical controls (Study 1). In a Canadian student sample (Study 2), and two American national samples that controlled for demographic characteristics and other correlates of autism and religiosity (Study 3 and 4), the autism spectrum predicted reduced belief in God, and mentalizing mediated this relationship. Systemizing (Studies 2 and 3) and two personality dimensions related to religious belief, Conscientiousness and Agreeableness (Study 3), failed as mediators. Mentalizing also explained the robust and well-known, but theoretically debated, gender gap in religious belief wherein men show reduced religious belief (Studies 2–4). PMID:22666332

"I honestly believe god keeps me healthy so i can take care of my child": parental use of faith related to treatment adherence.

PubMed

Grossoehme, Daniel H; Cotton, Sian; Ragsdale, Judy; Quittner, Alexandra L; McPhail, Gary; Seid, Michael

2013-01-01

A limited number of studies address parental faith and its relationship to their children's health. Using cystic fibrosis as a disease exemplar in which religion/spirituality have been shown to play a role and parental health behaviors (adherence to their child's daily recommended home treatments) are important, this study explored whether parents with different levels of adherence would describe use of faith differently. Twenty-five interviews were completed and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Some parents described no relationship between faith and treatment adherence. However, of those who did, higher-adherence parents believed God empowered them to care for their child and they used prayer to change themselves, while lower-adherence parents described trusting God to care for their child and used prayer to change God. Clinical implications for chaplains' differential engagement with parents are presented.

It is out of my hands: how deferring control to God can decrease quality of life for breast cancer patients.

PubMed

McLaughlin, Bryan; Yoo, Woohyun; D'Angelo, Jonathan; Tsang, Stephanie; Shaw, Bret; Shah, Dhavan; Baker, Timothy; Gustafson, David

2013-12-01

This paper seeks to contribute to the understanding of how and why religion affects psychosocial health outcomes. We propose a theoretical model predicting that when women with breast cancer defer control to God they will experience fewer breast cancer related concerns. Deferring control to God, however, should also reduce the likelihood that they take a proactive coping approach, which will be exacerbated by lowered breast cancer concerns. We therefore predict that this passive coping style will ultimately result in lower levels of quality of life. Data were collected as part of a randomized clinical trial funded by the National Cancer Institute. A total of 192 women with breast cancer participated in a computer-mediated social support group. Deferring control to God statements were captured by using computer-aided content analysis of discussion posts. Psychosocial outcomes were measured using longitudinal survey data. Analysis was performed using structural equation modeling. The results of our analysis largely confirm our mediation model for which we find significant model fit. As predicted, deferring control to God leads to lower levels of breast cancer concerns but also to more passive coping styles. Ultimately, deferring control to God can lead to lower levels of quality of life. Our study demonstrates how and why religious coping can lead to both positive and negative psychosocial health outcomes. Health care practitioners should encourage patients who are relying on religion to keep their end of the bargain and maintain an active coping style. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Twelve-year history of late-life depression and subsequent feelings to God.

PubMed

Braam, Arjan W; Schaap-Jonker, Hanneke; van der Horst, Marleen H L; Steunenberg, Bas; Beekman, Aartjan T F; van Tilburg, Willem; Deeg, Dorly J H

2014-11-01

Growing evidence shows several possible relations between religiousness and late-life depression. Emotional aspects of religiousness such as facets of the perceived relationship with God can be crucial in this connection. The aim of the current study was to examine the association between the course of late-life depression and feelings about God and religious coping. Longitudinal survey study; naturalistic; 12-year follow-up. Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam; population-based, in three regions in The Netherlands. A subsample of 343 respondents (mean age: 77.2 years), including all respondents with high levels of depressive symptoms at any measurement cycle between 1992 and 2003 (assessed by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule) and a random sample of nondepressed respondents who completed a postal questionnaire in 2005. Scales on God Image and Religious Coping. Twelve-year depression course trajectories serve as predicting variables and are specified according to recency and seriousness. Persistent and emergent depression are significantly associated with fear of God, feeling wronged by God, and negative religious coping. In terms of negative religious coping, significant associations were observed after adjustment for concurrent depression with a history of repeated minor depression and previous major depression. Late-life depression seems to maintain a pervasive relationship over time with affective aspects of religiousness. Religious feelings may parallel the symptoms of anhedonia or a dysphoric mood and could represent the experience of an existential void. Copyright © 2014 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Playing God: the rock opera that endeavors to become a bioethics education tool.

PubMed

Takala, Tuija; Häyry, Matti; Laing, Laurence

2014-04-01

This article describes and introduces a new innovative tool for bioethics education: a rock opera on the ethics of genetics written by two academics and a drummer legend. The origin of the idea, the characters and their development, and the themes and approaches as well as initial responses to the music and the show are described, and the various educational usages are explored.

Removing the Stigma: For God and Country

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

Virginians to the Puritans. George Washington exemplified the sentiments of our founding fathers in his response to the address from the Hebrew Congregation...distribution of Bibles 18 to the Japanese people. He declared, “We must have ten thousand Christian missionaries and a million bibles to complete the...crosses and Christian messages were painted on military vehicles driving through Iraq; images of U.S. soldiers holding rifles and bibles were posted on

Leveraging Insights from Mainstream Gameplay to Inform STEM Game Design: Great Idea, but What Comes Next?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biles, Melissa

2012-01-01

This response to Leah A. Bricker and Phillip Bell's paper, "GodMode is his video game name", examines their assertion that the social nexus of gaming practices is an important factor to consider for those looking to design STEM video games. I propose that we need to go beyond the investigation into which aspects of games play a role in learning,…

Molecular targets of celastrol derived from Thunder of God Vine: potential role in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and cancer.

PubMed

Kannaiyan, Radhamani; Shanmugam, Muthu K; Sethi, Gautam

2011-04-01

Identification of active constituents and their molecular targets from traditional medicine is an enormous opportunity for modern pharmacology. Celastrol is one such compound that was originally identified from traditional Chinese medicine (Thunder of God Vine) almost three decades ago and generally used for the treatment of inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. Celastrol has attracted great interest recently, especially for its potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. The anti-inflammatory effects of this triterpene have been demonstrated in animal models of different inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, and systemic lupus erythematosus. This triterpene has also been found to inhibit the proliferation of a variety of tumor cells and suppress tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis in various cancer models in vivo. Celastrol's ability to modulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, MHC II, HO-1, iNOS, NF-κB, Notch-1, AKT/mTOR, CXCR4, TRAIL receptors DR4 and DR5, CHOP, JNK, VEGF, adhesion molecules, proteasome activity, topoisomerase II, potassium channels, and heat shock response has been reported. This review describes the various molecular targets of celastrol, cellular responses to celastrol, and animal studies with celastrol in cancer and other inflammatory disorders. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

75 FR 36537 - Express Mail Next Day Delivery Postage Refund Amendment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-28

... the control of USPS; or acts of God. g. The shipment contained live animals and was delivered or... acts of God. g. The shipment contained live animals and was delivered or delivery was attempted within...

[An essay on science, cosmogenesis and religion].

PubMed

Cugini, P

2012-11-01

The relationships between science and religion are not easy from both the parts. But, the major controversy deals with the cosmogenesis and, thus, the existence of God. Science excludes the hypothesis of a divine creation, while theology assumes the origin of universe as a mere supernatural act. In my opinion, the scientific negation of the existence of God is a merely fideistic position, being founded on the hypothesis that the Bing Bang was an episode governed by casuality. An hypothesis that is more dogmatic that the Plato's idea of a demiurge as the creator of universe. As a matter of fact, nobody, among the scientists, has never explained how something of concrete can be created from Nothingness, i.e., 1. how the primitive Black Hole could have had its origin; 2. how the primordial Black Hole was physically filled up by raw matter, energy, space and time; 3. in which space and time the black hole was located assuming that the both the physical space and time were resident inside its context; 4. why the physical time is immaterial in its essence. All these interrogatives can be better explained by assuming the existence of a divine Creator, existing in a metaphysical spatial and temporal setting, whose omnipotence only can be effective in giving origin to a novel physical matter, energy, space and time. Additionally, the epistemology of science pretends that the scientific negation of something has to be derived by undisputable observational or experimental or theoretic evidences. Finally, it is important to stress that the modern science has its base of knowledge in the statistical probabilistic certainty. With respect to this the fideistic probability that God really exists, is only apparently equivalent to the fideistic probability that God does not exist. Blaise Pascal has clearly demonstrated that is more logical to believe in God than the opposite, because it is important to remember that in the presence of equivalent probabilities, the choice has to be conceived to the existence of God which is more apologetically convincing and intellectually convenient. Affirming the existence of God means to gain the eternal life in a transcendental reality. The atheistic negation of God means nothing and implies the conclusion that the life of human beings has no meaning, as no meaning has the nature as well as the universe. It is, thus, more confortable that the theological positivism should prevail on the scientific negativism.

Leading God's People: Perceptions of Influence Among African-American Pastors.

PubMed

Harmon, Brook E; Strayhorn, Shaila; Webb, Benjamin L; Hébert, James R

2018-01-31

Religious leaders, particularly African-American pastors, are believed to play a key role in addressing health disparities. Despite the role African-American pastors may play in improving health, there is limited research on pastoral influence. The purpose of this study was to examine African-American pastors' perceptions of their influence in their churches and communities. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 African-American pastors and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Three themes emerged: the historical role of the church; influence as contextual, with pastors using comparisons with other pastors to describe their ability to be influential; and a reciprocal relationship existing such that pastors are influenced by factors such as God and their community while these factors also aid them in influencing others. A conceptual model of pastoral influence was created using data from this study and others to highlight factors that influence pastors, potential outcomes and moderators as well as the reciprocal nature of pastoral influence.

Spiritual Development and Death Attitude in Female Patients With Type II Diabetes

PubMed Central

Nozari, Masoumeh; Khalilian, Alireza; Dousti, Yarali

2014-01-01

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the differences regarding spiritual development dimensions and death attitude profiles, and also to determinate association between them, in patients suffering from type II diabetes. Methods: In a cross-sectional design study, 100 female outpatients who were suffering from type II diabetes were recruited in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Sari, Iran. Data were collected through two questionnaires including the Spiritual Assessment Inventory (SAI) and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAPR). Analysis of the data involved analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with the Fisher's Least Significant Difference (LSD) as post-hoc test plus the Pearson correlation. Results: There was a statistical significant difference in spiritual development dimensions and death attitude profile. The results showed that spiritual development were significantly associated with some items of death attitude profiles. Conclusion: Awareness of God was suitable in diabetic patients, but the quality of relationship with God indicated spiritually immature. It is necessary to provide instruction to improve patient's death attitude and following health behavior. PMID:25780376

Writing a Condolence Note

MedlinePlus

... into the scheme of things. “It’s part of God’s plan.” What plan? God planned to have a little girl fall down ... is already feeling some anger and disappointment toward God. “Call if you need anything.” It becomes obvious ...

Beyond the dichotomy: six religious views of homosexuality.

PubMed

Moon, Dawne

2014-01-01

Using published theological and scholarly evidence, this article disrupts the stereotypical "born gay"/"sinful choice" dichotomy widely assumed to characterize religious views of homosexuality in the United States. It argues that we need to keep moral questions separate from questions about the fixity or fluidity of sexual orientation. Rather than two, American Christian and Jewish views of homosexuality can been seen on a range from the "God Hates Fags" view through "Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin," "We Don't Talk About That," "They Can't Help It," "God's Good Gift," and a queer-theological view of the "Godly Calling."

Morality is real, objective, and supernatural.

PubMed

Miller, Christian B

2016-11-01

The goal of this paper is to briefly introduce and defend the idea that God is the source of our moral obligations. In contrast to Michael Shermer's paper, which defends a naturalistic position about the foundations of morality, this approach is explicitly supernaturalistic. The paper begins by defining how "God" will be understood, and then spells out some of the details of how, on the proposed view, moral obligations are to depend upon God. The third section briefly reviews some of the leading arguments for this view, before the paper concludes with a discussion of the Euthyphro dilemma. © 2016 New York Academy of Sciences.

Armenian Vahagn God as birth of four Cosmic elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harutyunian, H. A.

2014-10-01

The survived two snatches of the mythological history about Vahagn - the Armenian god of the Sun and Fire is analyzed to find fingerprints of ancient cosmology. In the first fragment known as "Birth of Vahagn" all the four primary elements are mentioned as travailing ones which brought the god into life. The second fragment devoted to the ancient conception on the formation of the Milky Way named in Armenian mythology "Straw Thief's Way". The fact that both survived fragments concern the structure of the Universe might be explained easily if the ode glorifying Vahagn was based on the ancient Armenian cosmological views.

A glucose biosensor based on partially unzipped carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Hu, Huifang; Feng, Miao; Zhan, Hongbing

2015-08-15

An amperometric glucose biosensor based on direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase (GOD) self-assembled on the surface of partially unzipped carbon nanotubes (PUCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has been successfully fabricated. PUCNTs were synthesized via a facile chemical oxidative etching CNTs and used as a novel immobilization matrix for GOD. The cyclic voltammetric result of the PUCNT/GOD/GCE showed a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peaks with a formal potential of -0.470V and a peak to peak separation of 37mV, revealing that the fast direct electron transfer between GOD and the electrode has been achieved. It is notable that the glucose determination has been achieved in mediator-free condition. The developed biosensor displayed satisfactory analytical performance toward glucose including high sensitivity (19.50μA mM(-1)cm(-2)), low apparent Michaelis-Menten (5.09mM), a wide linear range of 0-17mM, and also preventing the interference from ascorbic acid, uric acid and dopamine usually coexisting with glucose in human blood. In addition, the biosensor acquired excellent storage stabilities. This facile, fast, environment-friendly and economical preparation strategy of PUCNT-GOD may provide a new platform for the fabrication of biocompatible glucose biosensors and other types of biosensors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes Supported by Macroporous Carbon as an Efficient Enzymatic Biosensing Platform for Glucose.

PubMed

Song, Yonghai; Lu, Xingping; Li, Yi; Guo, Qiaohui; Chen, Shuiliang; Mao, Lanqun; Hou, Haoqing; Wang, Li

2016-01-19

Effective immobilization of enzymes/proteins on an electrode surface is very essential for biosensor development, but it still remains challenging because enzymes/proteins tend to form close-packed structures on the electrode surface. In this work, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) supported by three-dimensional Kenaf Stem-derived porous carbon (3D-KSC) (denoted as 3D-KSC/NCNTs) nanocomposites were constructed as the supporting matrix to load glucose oxidase (GOD) for preparing integrated glucose biosensors. These NCNTs are vertically arrayed on the channel walls of the 3D-KSC via the chemical vapor deposition method, which could noticeably increase the effective surface area, mechanical stability, and active sites (originating from the doped nitrogen) of the nanocomposites. The integrated glucose biosensor exhibits some advantages over the traditional GOD electrodes in terms of the capability to promote the direct electron transfer of GOD, enhance the mechanical stability of the biosensor attributed to the strong interaction between NCNTs and GOD, and enlarge the specific surface area to efficiently load a large number of GODs. The as-prepared biosensor shows a good performance toward both oxygen reduction and glucose biosensing. This study essentially offers a novel approach for the development of biosensors with excellent analytical properties.

The Impact of Spirituality Before and After Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

PubMed Central

Peselow, Eric; Pi, Sarah; Lopez, Enrique; Besada, André; IsHak, Waguih W.

2014-01-01

Objective: The authors sought to assess spirituality in depressed patients and evaluate whether the degree of initial depressive symptoms and response to pharmacotherapy treatment has a correlation with degree of spirituality and belief in God. Methods: Our participants included 84 patients who presented to a depression/anxiety clinic for naturalistic treatment of their depressive illness over the course of two years. All patients met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria for major depression, as confirmed by structured interviews using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, and were treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for eight weeks. Measurements: Patients were evaluated at baseline and after treatment using the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, and the Spiritual Orientation to Life scale. Results: At baseline, patients reporting greater spirituality had significantly lower measures of hopelessness, dysfunctional attitudes, and depressive symptoms. Those who believed in God had a greater mean change score than those who did not on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, with the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale showing the greatest mean change score. Significant correlations were detected between the Spiritual Orientation to Life scale score and the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale pre-scores, post-scores, and change scores. Conclusion: The findings suggest that greater spirituality is associated with less severe depression. Moreover, the degree to which the measures of depressive symptom severity, hopelessness, and cognitive distortions improved over the course of eight weeks was significantly greater for those patients who were more spiritual. PMID:24800129

Sensitive colorimetric assay for uric acid and glucose detection based on multilayer-modified paper with smartphone as signal readout.

PubMed

Wang, Xu; Li, Fang; Cai, Ziqi; Liu, Kaifan; Li, Jing; Zhang, Boyang; He, Jianbo

2018-04-01

In this work, a multilayer-modified paper-based colorimetric sensing platform with improved color uniformity and intensity was developed for the sensitive and selective determination of uric acid and glucose with smartphone as signal readout. In detail, chitosan, different kinds of chromogenic reagents, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) combined with a specific oxidase, e.g., uricase or glucose oxidase (GOD), were immoblized onto the paper substrate to form a multilayer-modified test paper. Hydrogen peroxide produced by the oxidases (uricase or GOD) reacts with the substrates (uric acid or glucose), and could oxidize the co-immoblized chromogenic reagents to form colored products with HRP as catalyst. A simple strategy by placing the test paper on top of a light-emitting diode lamp was adopted to efficiently prevent influence from the external light. The color images were recorded by the smartphone camera, and then the gray values of the color images were calculated for quantitative analysis. The developed method provided a wide linear response from 0.01 to 1.0 mM for uric acid detection and from 0.02 to 4.0 mM for glucose detection, with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.003 and 0.014 mM, respectively, which was much lower than for previously reported paper-based colorimetric assays. The proposed assays were successfully applied to uric acid and glucose detection in real serum samples. Furthermore, the enhanced analytical performance of the proposed method allowed the non-invasive detection of glucose levels in tear samples, which holds great potential for point-of-care analysis. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Sacred Circles.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Merkel, Jeanean

1998-01-01

States that people feel spiritual longing, expressed in belief in a God or higher power, to feel whole in a fragmented society. Recommends setting aside a sacred space, being still, and finding a spiritual community as rituals to reconnect with God and integrate the inner and outer lives. (VWC)

Sanctified madness: the God-intoxicated saints of Bengal.

PubMed

Morinis, A

1985-01-01

The saintly madman is a familiar character in South Asia. To outer appearances he is no different from a lunatic, but the mad saint comes to be revered because his idiocy is popularly believed to arise from a different cause than ordinary madness. The common psychopath neglects social conventions because his consciousness is dimmed by incapacity; the saintly madman also breaches convention, but does so because his heightened consciousness has liberated him from the bonds of convention that entrap ordinary people. In the terms of Hinduism, he has tasted the divine nectar of God-realization and has returned to the human realm intoxicated by the experience. In this paper two popular God intoxicated saints of Bengal are discussed. The question is posed whether 'God intoxication' can be considered a culture-bound syndrome of Bengal. The concept of 'culture bound syndrome' is found to be too narrow to encompass the most significant issues to arise from reflection on the characteristics of the God intoxicated. These larger issues have to do with the relationship between cultural practices and models and mental states (whether deviant, as implied by the term 'syndrome' although deviance does not always carry the negative connotation implicit in 'syndrome', or normal). It is suggested that all cultures culture a limited range of mental states and thus the questions posed by the notion of culture bound syndromes are subsumed by larger questions about the relationship of all mind-states to the socio-cultural environment which conditions them. The conclusion is that God intoxication is indeed a uniquely Bengali mental condition, with variants throughout South Asia and kinship to other mystical states, but that the concept of 'syndrome' is not useful.

Recognition and the Fleeting Glimpse of Intimacy: Tracing the Chaplain's Response to Ungrieved Death.

PubMed

Coble, Richard

2015-03-01

The article traces the response of the hospital chaplain witnessing ungrieved death. Linking grief with cultural recognition, the article analyzes the absence of grief on the occasion of death within outcast social spheres. It then outlines the ways chaplains both participate in the cultural norms that render lives ungrievable and, conversely, in the solidarity of God, who cares for every life and death. The article closes by situating the chaplain as a liminal figure and proposing liminality itself as an opportunity for solidarity. © The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions:sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Maintaining a Strong Family: What Parents and Children Can Do To Foster Closeness and Unity. Boys Town National Family Home Program Informational Series, Volume No. 106.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dowd, Thomas P.

Many parents today struggle to maintain a sense of closeness and to create an environment that is nurturing and supportive. Four family responsibilities can help parents strengthen family unity and help their children build strong relationships and values. First, families should help children see every person as the image of God. Having faith in…

Values most extolled in Nobel Peace Prize speeches.

PubMed

Kinnier, Richard T; Kernes, Jerry L; Hayman, Jessie Wetherbe; Flynn, Patricia N; Simon, Elia; Kilian, Laura A

2007-11-01

The authors randomly selected 50 Nobel Peace Prize speeches and content analyzed them to determine which values the speakers extolled most frequently. The 10 most frequently mentioned values were peace (in 100% of the speeches), hope (92%), security (86%), justice (85%), responsibility (81%), liberty (80%), tolerance (79%), altruism (75%), God (49%), and truth (38%). The authors discuss the interplay of these values in the modern world and implications regarding the search for universal moral values.

The disputation of the astronomer Christoph Scheiner (German Title: Die Disputatio des Astronomen Christoph Scheiner)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daxecker, Franz

The newly found print "Theses Theologicae" is Christoph Scheiner's disputation, which took place on June 30, 1609. The title page contains Scheiner's name, presenting him as the author who is responsible for (respondente) 50 theses. The theses deal with the Summa theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas: Nature of God, Creation, Morality, Canon Law, Grace, Faith, Justice, Devotion to Godd and the Saints, Divine Word and Sacraments.

A novel electrochemical immunosensor using β-cyclodextrins functionalized silver supported adamantine-modified glucose oxidase as labels for ultrasensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein.

PubMed

Gao, Jian; Ma, Hongmin; Lv, Xiaohui; Yan, Tao; Li, Na; Cao, Wei; Wei, Qin

2015-09-17

In this work, a novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor based on host-guest interaction was fabricated for the detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Due to the large specific surface area of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and the unique supramolecular recognition ability of β-cyclodextrins, ferrocenecarboxylic acid (Fc) was incorporated into this sensor platform by host-guest interaction to generate an electrochemical signal. And β-cyclodextrins functionalized silver supported adamantine-modified glucose oxidase (GOD-CD-Ag), was used as a label to improve the analytical performance of the immunosensor by the dual amplification strategy. The obtained GOD-CD-Ag conjugates could convert glucose into gluconic acid with the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). And then silver nanoparticles could in situ catalyze the reduction of the generated H2O2, dramatically improving the oxidation reaction of Fc. The developed immunosensor shows a wide linear calibration range from 0.001 to 5.0 ng/mL with a low detection limit (0.2 pg/mL) for the detection of AFP. The method, with ideal reproducibility and selectivity, has a wide application prospect in clinical research. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A sensitive immunosensor via in situ enzymatically generating efficient quencher for electrochemiluminescence of iridium complexes doped SiO2 nanoparticles.

PubMed

Liang, Wenbin; Zhuo, Ying; Xiong, Chengyi; Zheng, Yingning; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Ruo

2017-08-15

A sensitive electrochemiluminescent (ECL) sandwich immunosensor was proposed herein based on the tris (2-phenylpyridine) iridium [Ir(ppy) 3 ] doped silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 @Ir) with improved ECL emission as signal probes and glucose oxidase (GOD)-based in situ enzymatic reaction to generate H 2 O 2 for efficiently quenching the ECL emission of SiO 2 @Ir. Typically, the SiO 2 @Ir not only increased the loading amount of Ir(ppy) 3 as ECL indicators with high ECL emission, but also improved their water-solubility, which efficiently enhanced the ECL emission. Furthermore, by the efficient quench effect of H 2 O 2 from in situ glucose oxidase (GOD)-based enzymatic reaction on the ECL emission of SiO 2 @Ir, a signal-off ECL immunsensor could be established for sensitive assay. With N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (BNPT) as a model, the proposed ECL assay performed high sensitivity and low detection limit. Importantly, the proposed sensitive ECL strategy was not only suitable for the detection of BNPT for acute myocardial infarction, but also revealed a new avenue for early diagnosis of various diseases via proteins, nucleotide sequence, microRNA and cells. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

7 CFR 3015.170 - Damage, loss, or theft of equipment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

..., and (ii) The damage, loss, or theft is not due to an act of God. (2) Equipment replaced. If the... § 3015.169(c) or (ii) The damage, loss, or theft is due to an act of God. (2) Recipient not compensated...

ZnO-nanorods/graphene heterostructure: a direct electron transfer glucose biosensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yu; Li, Wenbo; Pan, Lijia; Zhai, Dongyuan; Wang, Yu; Li, Lanlan; Cheng, Wen; Yin, Wei; Wang, Xinran; Xu, Jian-Bin; Shi, Yi

2016-08-01

ZnO-nanorods/graphene heterostructure was synthesized by hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods on chemically reduced graphene (CRG) film. The hybrid structure was demonstrated as a biosensor, where direct electron transfer between glucose oxidase (GOD) and electrode was observed. The charge transfer was attributed to the ZnO nanorod wiring between the redox center of GOD and electrode, and the ZnO/graphene heterostructure facilitated the transport of electrons on the hybride electrode. The glucose sensor based on the GOD-ZnO/CRG/Pt electrode had a high sensitivity of 17.64 μA mM-1, which is higher than most of the previously reported values for direct electron transfer based glucose biosensors. Moreover, this biosensor is linearly proportional to the concentration of glucose in the range of 0.2-1.6 mM. The study revealed that the band structure of electrode could affect the detection of direct electron transfer of GOD, which would be helpful for the design of the biosensor electrodes in the future.

A Puzzle Unsolved: Failure to Observe Different Effects of God and Religion Primes on Intergroup Attitudes

PubMed Central

Ramsay, Jonathan E.; Tong, Eddie M. W.; Pang, Joyce S.; Chowdhury, Avijit

2016-01-01

Religious priming has been found to have both positive and negative consequences, and recent research suggests that the activation of God-related and community-related religious cognitions may cause outgroup prosociality and outgroup derogation respectively. The present research sought to examine whether reminders of God and religion have different effects on attitudes towards ingroup and outgroup members. Over two studies, little evidence was found for different effects of these two types of religious primes. In study 1, individuals primed with the words “religion”, “God” and a neutral control word evaluated both ingroup and outgroup members similarly, although a marginal tendency towards more negative evaluations of outgroup members by females exposed to religion primes was observed. In study 2, no significant differences in attitudes towards an outgroup member were observed between the God, religion, and neutral priming conditions. Furthermore, the gender effect observed in study 1 did not replicate in this second study. Possible explanations for these null effects are discussed. PMID:26812526

Amyloid fibrils as a nanoscaffold for enzyme immobilization.

PubMed

Pilkington, Sarah M; Roberts, Sarah J; Meade, Susie J; Gerrard, Juliet A

2010-01-01

Amyloid fibrils are a misfolded state, formed by many proteins when subjected to denaturing conditions. Their constituent amino acids make them ideally suited as a readily functionalized nanoscaffold for enzyme immobilization and their strength, stability, and nanometer size are attractive features for exploitation in the creation of new bionanomaterials. We report successful functionalization of amyloid fibrils by conjugation to glucose oxidase (GOD) using glutaraldehyde. GOD retained activity upon attachment and successful cross-linking was determined using electrophoresis, centrifugation, sucrose gradient centrifugation, and TEM. The resulting functionalized enzyme scaffold was then incorporated into a model poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) film, to create a new bionanomaterial. The antibacterial effect of the functionalized film was then tested on E. coli, the growth of which was inhibited, demonstrating the incorporation of GOD antibacterial activity into the PVOH film. The incorporation of the GOD-functionalized amyloid fibrils into PVOH provides an excellent 'proof of concept' model for the creation of a new bionanomaterial using a functionalized amyloid fibril scaffold.

Exploring spirituality among youth in foster care: findings from the Casey Field Office Mental Health Study.

PubMed

Jackson, Lovie J; White, Catherine Roller; O'Brien, Kirk; DiLorenzo, Paul; Cathcart, Ernie; Wolf, Mary; Bruskas, Delilah; Pecora, Peter J; Nix-Early, Vivian; Cabrera, Jorge

2010-02-01

This study examined spiritual coping mechanisms, beliefs about spirituality and participation in spiritual activities and in other positive activities among adolescents in foster care. A multidimensional measure of spirituality was developed for face-to-face interviews with 188 youth (ages 14-17) from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds in the United States. Findings revealed 95% of youth believe in God, over 70% believe God is 'creator' and God is 'love', and 79% considered prayer a spiritual practice. Most youth said love and forgiveness help them heal. Two-thirds (67%) reported responding to 'bad or tragic things happening' by spending time alone, and over half responded by praying (59%) or sharing the problem with someone else (56%). Youth's top three spiritual goals were to follow God's plan for them, become a better person, and know their purpose in life. Based on the value youth ascribed to spiritual coping mechanisms, recommendations for policy and practice focus on the integration of spirituality into practice and caregiving for youth in foster care.

Concept of time and space of Eusebius of Caesarea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muradyan, Gurgen

2016-12-01

The present paper analyses the concept of time and space of Eusebius Pamphili, who was a bishop of Caesarea. Little is known about the life of Eusebius. His life spanned one of the most traumatic and interesting periods in the history of Christianity. Not everyone would agree with his doctrinal position on a range of subjects, but few would deny the unique contribution he made by bringing to light so many events that took place during the first 300 years of the Christian era. Throughout his life Eusebius also wrote apologetic works, commentaries on the Bible, and works explaining the parallels and discrepancies in the Gospels. Dogmatically, Eusebius stands entirely upon the shoulders of Origen, who was anathemized by the Fifth Ecumenical Council. Like Origen, he started from the fundamental thought of the absolute sovereignty (monarchia) of God. God is the cause of all beings. But he is not merely a cause; in him everything good is included, from him all life originates, and he is the source of all virtue. He is the highest God to whom Christ is subject as the second God. God sent Christ into the world that it may partake of the blessings included in the essence of God. Christ is the only really good creature; he possesses the image of God and is a ray of the eternal light, but the figure of the ray is so limited by Eusebius that he expressly emphasizes the self-existence of Jesus. Critics of Eusebius accuse him of lacking critical judgment and literary style. In his day, however, he was highly regarded both as a Catholic bishop and as a historian by many in high places, including the bishop of Rome and the emperor Constantine. This allowed him access to the imperial archives and the opportunity to study a wide range of documents, many of considerable antiquity. Because much, if not most, of this material is now no longer extant, the service rendered by Eusebius to later generations lies in his extensive quotations from such works.

Clinical Ethics Consultation After God: Implications for Advocacy and Neutrality.

PubMed

Parker, J Clint

2018-06-01

In After God: Morality and Bioethics in a Secular Age, H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr. explores the broad implications for moral reasoning once a culture has lost a God's-eye perspective. In this paper, I focus on the implications of Engelhardt's views for clinical ethics consultation. I begin by examining the question of whether clinical ethics consultants (CECs) should advocate a particular viewpoint and/or process during consultations or adopt a neutral stance. I then examine the implications of Engelhardt's views for this question. Finally, I discuss some of Engelhardt's foundational ontological, metaphysical, meta-ethical, and epistemological commitments and how these commitments connect to his views on clinical ethics consultation.

[Gods, women and pharmacy in Greek Mythology].

PubMed

Vons, J

2001-01-01

The study of Greek Mythology fully justifies Herophilus's phrase: "Medicines are the hands of Gods" (third cent. B.C.). A number of Gods are said to be the inventors of the drugs which are useful to men. Their names are still alive in the scholarly or popular appellations of a great many medicinal herbs. However, insofar as the action of a drug (of a Pharmakon) remains mysterious, one finds it in essentially female practices as well as in medicine. The study of these ancient beliefs, which have survived in spite of the progress of twentieth century science, can develop the history of epistemology of pharmacy by stimulating interdisciplinary research.

What's God Got to Do with It? How Religiosity Predicts Atheists' Health.

PubMed

Speed, David; Fowler, Ken

2016-02-01

The relationship between atheism and health is poorly understood within the Religion/Spirituality-health literature. While the extant literature promotes the idea that Attendance, Prayer, and Religiosity are connected to positive health outcomes, these relationships have not been established when controlling for whether a person is an atheist. Data from the 2008-2012 American General Social Survey (n = 3210) were used to investigate this relationship. Results indicated that atheists experienced Religiosity more negatively than non-atheists. Additionally, results demonstrated that non-belief in God was not related to better or worse perceived global health, suggesting that belief in God is not inherently linked to better reported health.

Trust-based prayer expectancies and health among older Mexican Americans.

PubMed

Krause, Neal; Hayward, R David

2014-04-01

This study assesses the health-related effects of trust-based prayer expectancies, which reflect the belief that God answers prayers at the right time and in the best way. The following relationships are evaluated in our conceptual model: (1) older Mexican Americans who attend worship services more often tend to develop a closer relationship with God; (2) people who feel close to God will be more likely to develop trust-based prayer expectancies; (3) people who endorse trust-based prayer expectancies will have greater feelings of self-esteem; and (4) higher self-esteem is associated with better self-rated health. The data support each of these relationships.

Personal Reflection: Teaching in the Shadow of a Dead God

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Corrigan, Paul T.

2013-01-01

Potter (2013) argues that even though many college teachers have adopted constructivist practices and perspectives, the "foundations" of Western higher education remain objectivist through and through. In the title metaphor of his essay, "objectivism" is the dead god. Constructivism killed it conceptually. But materially and…

Characterization of N-linked oligosaccharides assembled on secretory recombinant glucose oxidase and cell wall mannoproteins from the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha.

PubMed

Kim, Moo Woong; Rhee, Sang Ki; Kim, Jeong-Yoon; Shimma, Yoh-ichi; Chiba, Yasunori; Jigami, Yoshifumi; Kang, Hyun Ah

2004-03-01

Presently almost no information is available on the oligosaccharide structure of the glycoproteins secreted from the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha, a promising host for the production of recombinant proteins. In this study, we analyze the size distribution and structure of N-linked oligosaccharides attached to the recombinant glycoprotein glucose oxidase (GOD) and the cell wall mannoproteins obtained from H. polymorpha. Oligosaccharide profiling showed that the major oligosaccharide species derived from the H. polymorpha-secreted recombinant GOD (rGOD) had core-type structures (Man(8-12)GlcNAc(2)). Analyses using anti-alpha 1,3-mannose antibody and exoglycosidases specific for alpha 1,2- or alpha 1,6-mannose linkages revealed that the mannose outer chains of N-glycans on the rGOD have very short alpha 1,6 extensions and are mainly elongated in alpha 1,2-linkages without a terminal alpha 1,3-linked mannose addition. The N-glycans released from the H. polymorpha mannoproteins were shown to contain mostly mannose in their outer chains, which displayed almost identical size distribution and structure to those of H. polymorpha-derived rGOD. These results strongly indicate that the outer chain processing of N-glycans by H. polymorpha significantly differs from that by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, thus generating much shorter mannose outer chains devoid of terminal alpha 1,3-linked mannoses.

41 CFR 302-7.9 - What are some reasons that would justify the additional storage beyond the initial 90-day limit?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., acts of God, or other circumstances beyond the control of the employee; or (f) Similar reasons. § 302-7... construction; (d) Serious illness of employee or illness or death of a dependent; or (e) Strikes, acts of God...

For God or Country? Religious Tensions Within the United States Military

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

of God and the application of His power to change lost souls into new recruits.26 Lieutenant General Bruce L . Fister, USAF (Retired), Executive...Bruce L . Fister, United States Air Force (Retired), Taking Stock of OCF – Part 7: Reaching Out, [article online]; available from http

Quetzalcoatl and the Golden Age of Mesoamerica.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramirez-Heil, Celia

1978-01-01

Quetzalcoatl was both man and god, myth and true history, and was worshipped through centuries in temples in the great sacred cities of Teotihuacan, Tollan, and Chichen Itza. The White god, ruler of the Toltec golden age, who sailed toward the east promising to return, remains a mystery. (Author/NQ)

Attachment to God/Higher Power and Bulimic Symptoms among College Women

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buser, Juleen K.; Gibson, Sandy

2016-01-01

The authors examined the relationship between avoidant and anxious attachment to God/Higher Power and bulimia symptoms among 599 female college student participants. After controlling for body mass index, the authors found a positive association between both attachment variables and bulimia. When entered together in a regression, anxious…

What If I Don't Want to Play God?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dobrin, Kelly Hykes; Yarnall, Gary Dean

The authors review technological advances in medicine, such as gene manipulation, amniocentesis, ultra sound, organ transplants, and cloning, and point out ethical and moral dilemmas resulting from such capabilities. Implications of overpopulation are briefly considered. The authors contend that the decision "to play God" has already been made,…

Relationship between Spirituality and Depressive Symptoms among Inpatient Individuals Who Abuse Substances

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Diaz, Naelys; Horton, E. Gail; Green, Diane; McIlveen, John; Weiner, Michael; Mullaney, Donald

2011-01-01

This study aims to examine the relationship between spirituality and believing in God's presence and depressive symptoms among 160 inpatient individuals who abuse substances. Findings indicated that both spirituality and believing in God's presence were significant predictors of depressive symptoms, whereby spirituality was inversely related to…

78 FR 61947 - H2O Holdings, LLC; Notice of Preliminary Permit Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-07

...: Ms. Joy Focht, H2O Holdings, LLC, 1485 Garden of the Gods Rd., Ste. 160, Colorado Springs, CO 80907; telephone: (719) 473-7763 (ext. 202) and Mr. Sam Houston, H2O Holdings, LLC, 1485 Garden of the Gods Rd...

Metaphysical Beliefs as Predictors of Death Anxiety.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Naidu, R. K.; Sinha, Ambalika

1992-01-01

Investigated impact of four metaphysical beliefs (existence of God, attributes of God, afterlife, consequences of suffering) on death anxiety. Householders (n=120), one-half of whom lived in high exposure to death sight areas, responded to pictures depicting death and nondeath scenes to measure death anxiety. Subjects from low exposure areas…

The wind god promotes lung cancer.

PubMed

Frisch, Steven M; Schaller, Michael D

2014-05-12

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Li and colleagues demonstrate that the hematopoietic transcription factor Aiolos (named after the Wind God of Greek mythology) confers anoikis resistance in lung tumor cells through repression of cell adhesion-related genes including the mechanosensor p66Shc. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Children's Understanding of Human and Super-Natural Mind

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Makris, Nikos; Pnevmatikos, Dimitris

2007-01-01

Barrett, Richert, and Driesenga [Barrett, J. L., Richert, R. A., & Driesenga, A. (2001). "God's beliefs versus mother's: The development of nonhuman agents concepts." "Child Development," 72(1), 50-65] have suggested that children are able to conceptualize the representational properties held by certain super-natural entities, such as God, before…

Electrochemiluminescence of luminol enhanced by the synergetic catalysis of hemin and silver nanoparticles for sensitive protein detection.

PubMed

Jiang, Xinya; Chai, Yaqin; Wang, Haijun; Yuan, Ruo

2014-04-15

A novel and ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor, which was based on the amplifying ECL of luminol by hemin-reduced graphene oxide (hemin-rGO) and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) decorated reduced graphene oxide (Ag-rGO), was constructed for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). For this proposed sandwich-type ECL immunosensor, Au nanoparticles electrodeposited (DpAu) onto hemin-rGO (DpAu/hemin-rGO) constructed the base of the immunosensor. DpAu had outstanding electrical conductivity to promote the electron transfer at the electrode interface and had good biocompatibility to load large amounts of primary antibody (Ab1), which provided an excellent platform for this immunosensor. Moreover, AgNPs and glucose oxidase (GOD) functionalized graphene labeled secondary antibody (Ag-rGO-Ab2-GOD) was designed as the signal probe for the sandwiched immunosensor. Not only did the hemin-rGO improve the electron transfer of the electrode surface, but hemin also further amplified the ECL signal of luminol in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). With the aid of Ag-rGO-Ab2-GOD, enhanced signal was obtained by in situ generation of H2O2 and catalysis of AgNPs to ECL reaction of the luminol-H2O2 system. The as-prepared ECL immunosensor exhibited excellent analytical property for the detection of CEA in the range from 0.1 pg mL(-1) to 160 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.03 pg mL(-1) (SN(-1)=3). © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Enzyme-labeled Pt@BSA nanocomposite as a facile electrochemical biosensing interface for sensitive glucose determination.

PubMed

Hu, Chenyi; Yang, Da-Peng; Zhu, Fengjuan; Jiang, Fengjing; Shen, Shuiyun; Zhang, Junliang

2014-03-26

Electrocatalytic reactions of glucose oxidation based on enzyme-labeled electrochemical biosensors demand a high enzymatic activity and fast electron transfer property to produce the amplified signal response. Through a "green" synthesis method, Pt@BSA nanocomposite was prepared as a biosensing interface for the first time. Herein we presented a convenient and effective glucose sensing matrix based on Pt@BSA nanocomposite along with the covalent adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOD). The electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction was significantly enhanced due to the excellent bioactivity of anchored GOD and superior catalytic performance of interior platinum nanoparticles, which was gradually restrained with the addition of glucose. A sensitive glucose biosensor was then successfully developed upon the restrained oxygen reduction peak current. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed to investigate the determination performance of the enzyme biosensor, resulting in a linear response range from 0.05 to 12.05 mM with an optimal detection limit of 0.015 mM. The as-proposed sensing technique revealed high selectivity against endogenous interfering species, satisfactory storage stability, acceptable durability, and favorable fabrication reproducibility with the RSD of 3.8%. During the practical application in human blood serum samples, this glucose biosensor obtained a good detection accuracy of analytical recoveries within 97.5 to 104.0%, providing an alternative scheme for glucose level assay in clinical application.

The Implications of the Discovery of Extraterrestrial Life for Religion and Theology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, Ted

2012-05-01

This paper asks about the future of religion: (1) Will confirmation of ETI cause terrestrial religion to collapse? "No" is the answer based upon a summary of the "Peters ETI Religious Crisis Survey." Then three questions are posed to the astrotheologian: (2) What is the scope of God's creation? (3) What can we expect when we encounter ETI? (4) Will contact with more advanced ETI diminish human dignity? The paper's thesis is that contact with extraterrestrial intelligence will expand the existing Christian vision that all of creation — including the 13.7 billion year history of the universe replete with all of God's creatures — is the gift of a loving and gracious God.

Colonial Legacy, Communist Nostalgia and Failure of Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-29

desperation to acquire this wealth drove African slave owners to appeal to supernatural powers such as witchcraft and gods to assist them in accumulating...supernatural powers such as witchcraft , and gods to assist them in accumulating more slaves or wealth and sometimes this involved human sacrifices.42 The

Should God Get Tenure? Essays on Religion and Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gill, David W., Ed.

Essays on the role of religion in higher education include: "Should God Get Tenure?" (David W. Gill); "On Being a Professor: The Case of Socrates" (Bruce R. Reichenbach); "Academic Excellence: Cliche or Humanizing Vision?" (Merold Westphal); "Religion, Science, and the Humanities in the Liberal Arts Curriculum" (H. Newton Maloney); "Tolstoy and…

A resolution recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of the GOD'S CHILD Project and congratulating the GOD'S CHILD Project on its 20th anniversary.

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Sen. Conrad, Kent [D-ND

2011-04-12

Senate - 06/20/2011 Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status Agreed to in SenateHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

The Fourth Gospel as Contextualized by Yucatecan Assemblies of God Pastors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kazim, Paul S.

2017-01-01

Most of the training material that Assemblies of God educators use in Latin America was originally written in English. Almost without exception nationals or missionaries translated the approved theology texts from English. While everyone contextualizes, the gospel message will not ever be completely at home in the Yucatan until the pastors think…

Doing God in a Liberal Democracy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moulin, Daniel; Robson, James

2012-01-01

While we agree with Cooling's argument from fairness, we argue that Cooling fails to give an adequate account of how fairness can be conceived, particularly because he does not decisively tackle the issues surrounding doing God in a plural context, or the contentious issues of compulsory collective worship and faith schools. In order to explore an…

Nihilism and Education in Heidegger's Essay: "Nietzsche's Word: "God Is Dead"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ehrmantraut, Michael

2016-01-01

In the "Rectoral Address", of 1933, Martin Heidegger indicates that the crisis of the West, articulated by Nietzsche as the "death of God", was a central concern in his attempt to rethink and reform higher education in 1933-1934. While Heidegger soon thereafter appears to have abandoned serious efforts at any practical…

Evolutionary Creation: Moving beyond the Evolution versus Creation Debate

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lamoureux, Denis O.

2010-01-01

Evolutionary creation offers a conservative Christian approach to evolution. It explores biblical faith and evolutionary science through a Two Divine Books model and proposes a complementary relationship between Scripture and science. The Book of God's Words discloses the spiritual character of the world, while the Book of God's Works reveals the…

Seeing Connections: Reason, Faith, and Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Suzy

2015-01-01

The article explores some of the congruencies of thought and resonances in phrasing in the work of Janet Erskine Stuart, John Henry Newman and Ludwig Wittgenstein. These three writers have in common their resistance to philosophers of religion who are preoccupied with proposing arguments for the existence of God and grounds for believing in God.…

Toward Liberating Interdependence: Exploring an Intercultural Pedagogy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Boyung

2010-01-01

This article proposes a postcolonial intercultural pedagogy, one that can create Liberating Interdependence among communities and across boundaries. First, the author examines conflicting ways that the Exodus is told in different communities: as a story of the God of the oppressed and as a story about an unjust God. Second, after analyzing the…

Thinking of God Moves Attention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chasteen, Alison L.; Burdzy, Donna C.; Pratt, Jay

2010-01-01

The concepts of God and Devil are well known across many cultures and religions, and often involve spatial metaphors, but it is not well known if our mental representations of these concepts affect visual cognition. To examine if exposure to divine concepts produces shifts of attention, participants completed a target detection task in which they…

Investigating the Importance of Relating with God for School Students' Spiritual Well-Being

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, John W.

2010-01-01

Fisher's spiritual well-being (SWB) questionnaires assessed students' levels of relationship in four domains, namely with themselves, others, the environment and with a Transcendent Other (commonly called God). Students also reported the extent to which different entities helped them develop relationships in the four domains of SWB. However,…

Provide History of Religion and God

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ginex, Nicholas P.

2013-01-01

There is a need for high school, college, and university educators to introduce their students to a history of mankind's development of religions and beliefs in God. Regarded as too sensitive a subject, students are deprived of learning how mankind has evolved ways to establish moral and righteous behavior to maintain harmony among competing…

Continuous Monitoring of Fish Population and Behavior by Instantaneous Continental-Shelf-Scale Imaging with Ocean-Waveguide Acoustics

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

Nero, Mike Jech, Olav Rune Godø, Sunwoong Lee, Purnima Ratilal, and Nicholas Makris, “Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing (OAWRS) of Marine...Srinivasan Jagannathan, Deanelle Symonds, Ioannis Bertsatos, Tianrun Chen, Hector Pena, Ruben Patel, Olav Rune Godø, Redwood W. 6 7 Nero, J

Faith Fictions: "The Word between This World and God"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Le Tran, Mai-Anh

2009-01-01

The search for religious truth and depth in "fiction" invites a conceptualization of life and fictional narratives as "faith fictions"--narrative accounts of human experiences and the human condition that bridge this world and God. This article juxtaposes "Mother Crocodile", "Hunger", and "Lost in Translation" to highlight the ways in which they,…

Tragic Paradox in Achebe's "Arrow of God"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soile, Sola

1976-01-01

Leads into a discussion of Chinua Achebe's "Arrow of God" (1964) from his earlier novel "Things Fall Apart" (1958), because such a comparative approach provides an opportunity to see Achebe's elaboration and development of a subject that is obviously dear to his heart, namely, the trials and tribulations of a dynamic society as…

High Court Hesitant to Bar Pledge in Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendrie, Caroline

2004-01-01

This article reports on a lawsuit filed by Michael A. Newdow, a California atheist, on behalf of his daughter, against inclusion of the words "under God" in public schools' recitals of the United States Pledge of Allegiance. He said that the words "under God" represent "religious dogma" that is needlessly divisive.…

God, Sport Philosophy, Kinesiology: A MacIntyrean Examination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Twietmeyer, Gregg

2015-01-01

Sport philosophy is in crisis. This subdiscipline of kinesiology garners little to no respect and few tenure track lines in kinesiology departments. Why is this the case? Why isn't philosophy held in greater esteem? Is it possible that philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre's (2009) diagnosis found in "God, Philosophy, Universities" could…

For God (or) country: the hydraulic relation between government instability and belief in religious sources of control.

PubMed

Kay, Aaron C; Shepherd, Steven; Blatz, Craig W; Chua, Sook Ning; Galinsky, Adam D

2010-11-01

It has been recently proposed that people can flexibly rely on sources of control that are both internal and external to the self to satisfy the need to believe that their world is under control (i.e., that events do not unfold randomly or haphazardly). Consistent with this, past research demonstrates that, when personal control is threatened, people defend external systems of control, such as God and government. This theoretical perspective also suggests that belief in God and support for governmental systems, although seemingly disparate, will exhibit a hydraulic relationship with one another. Using both experimental and longitudinal designs in Eastern and Western cultures, the authors demonstrate that experimental manipulations or naturally occurring events (e.g., electoral instability) that lower faith in one of these external systems (e.g., the government) lead to subsequent increases in faith in the other (e.g., God). In addition, mediation and moderation analyses suggest that specific concerns with order and structure underlie these hydraulic effects. Implications for the psychological, sociocultural, and sociopolitical underpinnings of religious faith, as well as system justification theory, are discussed.

ZnO-nanorods/graphene heterostructure: a direct electron transfer glucose biosensor

PubMed Central

Zhao, Yu; Li, Wenbo; Pan, Lijia; Zhai, Dongyuan; Wang, Yu; Li, Lanlan; Cheng, Wen; Yin, Wei; Wang, Xinran; Xu, Jian-Bin; Shi, Yi

2016-01-01

ZnO-nanorods/graphene heterostructure was synthesized by hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods on chemically reduced graphene (CRG) film. The hybrid structure was demonstrated as a biosensor, where direct electron transfer between glucose oxidase (GOD) and electrode was observed. The charge transfer was attributed to the ZnO nanorod wiring between the redox center of GOD and electrode, and the ZnO/graphene heterostructure facilitated the transport of electrons on the hybride electrode. The glucose sensor based on the GOD-ZnO/CRG/Pt electrode had a high sensitivity of 17.64 μA mM−1, which is higher than most of the previously reported values for direct electron transfer based glucose biosensors. Moreover, this biosensor is linearly proportional to the concentration of glucose in the range of 0.2–1.6 mM. The study revealed that the band structure of electrode could affect the detection of direct electron transfer of GOD, which would be helpful for the design of the biosensor electrodes in the future. PMID:27572675

Exploring spirituality among youth in foster care: findings from the Casey Field Office Mental Health Study

PubMed Central

Jackson, Lovie J.; White, Catherine Roller; O'Brien, Kirk; DiLorenzo, Paul; Cathcart, Ernie; Wolf, Mary; Bruskas, Delilah; Pecora, Peter J.; Nix-Early, Vivian; Cabrera, Jorge

2014-01-01

This study examined spiritual coping mechanisms, beliefs about spirituality and participation in spiritual activities and in other positive activities among adolescents in foster care. A multidimensional measure of spirituality was developed for face-to-face interviews with 188 youth (ages 14–17) from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds in the United States. Findings revealed 95% of youth believe in God, over 70% believe God is ‘creator’ and God is ‘love’, and 79% considered prayer a spiritual practice. Most youth said love and forgiveness help them heal. Two-thirds (67%) reported responding to ‘bad or tragic things happening’ by spending time alone, and over half responded by praying (59%) or sharing the problem with someone else (56%). Youth's top three spiritual goals were to follow God's plan for them, become a better person, and know their purpose in life. Based on the value youth ascribed to spiritual coping mechanisms, recommendations for policy and practice focus on the integration of spirituality into practice and caregiving for youth in foster care. PMID:25057258

African American Elders’ Serious Illness Experiences: Narratives of “God Did,” “God Will,” and “Life Is Better”

PubMed Central

Coats, Heather; Crist, Janice D.; Berger, Ann; Sternberg, Esther; Rosenfeld, Anne G.

2017-01-01

The foundation of culturally sensitive patient-centered palliative care is formed from one’s social, spiritual, psychological, and physical experiences of serious illness. The purpose of this study was to describe categories and patterns of psychological, social, and spiritual healing from the perspectives of aging seriously ill African American (AA) elders. Using narrative analysis methodology, 13 open-ended interviews were collected. Three main patterns were “prior experiences,” “I changed,” and “across past, present experiences and future expectations.” Themes were categorized within each pattern: been through it … made me strong, I thought about … others, went down little hills … got me down, I grew stronger, changed priorities, do things I never would have done, quit doing, God did and will take care of me, close-knit relationships, and life is better. “Faith” in God helped the aging seriously ill AA elders “overcome things,” whether their current illness or other life difficulties. PMID:26701962

The influence of physical and chemical parameters on the extinction of the god fish (Tor duoronensis) species: case study in Balong Dalem Kuningan district

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abidin, Z.; Marwoto, P.; Iswari, R. S.

2018-03-01

Tor douronensis (God Fish) species are endemic freshwater fish that only live in Kuningan District. Originally these fish scattered in the pool Cigugur, Cibulan, Balong Kambang, Darma Loka and Balong Dalem. However, since 2006 the god fish that existed in Balong Dalem extinct. This study aims to analyze the possible factors causing extinction of the god fish in situ Balong Dalem. The study was conducted during May 2017. The results showed that there were 11 phytoplankton and 13 genera of Gomphonema, Stigeoclonium, Desmidium, Closterium, Navicula, Spirulina, Phormidium, Melosira, Gloeotrichia, Oedogonium, Hyalodiscus, Moscocrocis and Cladophora. While zooplankton found 3 genus of Cyclops, Rotifera and Tanypus. The results showed that the abundance, diversity and uniformity of zooplankton correlated positively with pH, temperature, DO and water flow but not with others. Condition of water quality (physical-chemical parameter) Balong Dalem in bad condition, low productivity and labile. Condition of substrate base there Balong Dalem in the form of sand and fine mud. All of these conditions caused the extinction of Tor douronensis in situ Balong Dalem.

Mental illness beliefs in Malaysia: ethnic and intergenerational comparisons.

PubMed

Edman, J L; Koon, T Y

2000-01-01

Two groups of college students in Malaysia, ethnic Malay and ethnic Chinese, completed a mental illness attribution and help seeking questionnaire, and these responses were also compared with the responses of their mothers. As expected, ethnic Malays rated religious items, such as God and prayer, higher than the Chinese. However, both groups rated the social and psychological causes higher than religious, supernatural or physical causes. Contrary to our predictions, there were no intergenerational differences among either ethnic group. Medical pluralism was demonstrated, as a variety of apparently contradictory help seeking behaviors received quite high ratings including doctor/pharmacy, prayer, herbal medicine and traditional healers.

Gandhi on religion, faith and conversion: secular blueprint relevant today.

PubMed

Singh, Ajai R; Singh, Shakuntala A

2004-01-01

Gandhi believed in judging people of other faiths from their stand point rather than his own. He welcomed contact of Hinduism with other religions, especially the Christian doctrines, for he did not want to be debarred from assimilating good anywhere else. He believed a respectful study of other's religion was a sacred duty and it did not reduce reverence for one's own. He was looking out for those universal principles which transcended religion as a dogma. He expected religion to take account of practical life, he wanted it to appeal to reason and not be in conflict with morality. He believed it was his right and duty to point out the defects of his own religion, but to desist from doing so with other's faith. He refused to abuse a man for his fanatical deeds for he tried to see them from the other person's point of view. He believed Jesus expressed the will and spirit of God but could not accept Jesus as the only incarnate son of God. If Jesus was like God or God himself, then all men were like God or God Himself. But neither could he accept the Vedas as the inspired word of God, for if they were inspired why not also the Bible and the Koran? He believed all great religions were fundamentally equal and that there should be innate respect for them, not just mutual tolerance. He felt a person wanting to convert should try to be a good follower of his own faith rather than seek goodness in change of faith. His early impressions of Christianity were unfortunate which underwent a change when he discovered the New Testament and the Sermon on the Mount, whose ideal of renunciation appealed to him greatly. He thought Parliament of Religions or International Fellowship of Religions could be based only on equality of status, a common platform. An attitude of patronising tolerance was false to the spirit of international fellowship. He believed that all religions were more or less true, but had errors because they came to us though imperfect human instrumentality. Religious symbols could not be made into a fetish to prove the superiority of one religion over another.In a multi-religious secular polity like that of India, Gandhi's ideas on religion and attitude toward other religions could serve as a secular blueprint to ponder over and implement.

Gandhi on Religion, Faith and Conversion: Secular Blueprint Relevant Today*

PubMed Central

Singh, Ajai R.; Singh, Shakuntala A.

2004-01-01

Gandhi believed in judging people of other faiths from their stand point rather than his own. He welcomed contact of Hinduism with other religions, especially the Christian doctrines, for he did not want to be debarred from assimilating good anywhere else. He believed a respectful study of other's religion was a sacred duty and it did not reduce reverence for one's own. He was looking out for those universal principles which transcended religion as a dogma. He expected religion to take account of practical life, he wanted it to appeal to reason and not be in conflict with morality. He believed it was his right and duty to point out the defects of his own religion, but to desist from doing so with other's faith. He refused to abuse a man for his fanatical deeds for he tried to see them from the other person's point of view. He believed Jesus expressed the will and spirit of God but could not accept Jesus as the only incarnate son of God. If Jesus was like God or God himself, then all men were like God or God Himself. But neither could he accept the Vedas as the inspired word of God, for if they were inspired why not also the Bible and the Koran? He believed all great religions were fundamentally equal and that there should be innate respect for them, not just mutual tolerance. He felt a person wanting to convert should try to be a good follower of his own faith rather than seek goodness in change of faith. His early impressions of Christianity were unfortunate which underwent a change when he discovered the New Testament and the Sermon on the Mount, whose ideal of renunciation appealed to him greatly. He thought Parliament of Religions or International Fellowship of Religions could be based only on equality of status, a common platform. An attitude of patronising tolerance was false to the spirit of international fellowship. He believed that all religions were more or less true, but had errors because they came to us though imperfect human instrumentality. Religious symbols could not be made into a fetish to prove the superiority of one religion over another. In a multi-religious secular polity like that of India, Gandhi's ideas on religion and attitude toward other religions could serve as a secular blueprint to ponder over and implement. PMID:22815610

Associations of traffic safety attitudes and ticket fixing behaviours with the crash history of Pakistani drivers.

PubMed

Durrani, Mohsin; Waseem, Hunniya; Bhatti, Junaid A; Razzak, Junaid A; Naseer, Rizwan

2012-01-01

The study assessed whether traffic safety attitudes and ticket fixing behaviours were associated with the crash history. A total of 4018 male drivers from Lahore city participated in this cross sectional study. Most were aged 18-30 years (58.7%, n = 2362), 71.9% (n = 2887) received a traffic ticket, 66.5% (n = 2672) reported previous traffic ticket fixing and 71.3% (n = 2865) considered crashes as being the will of God. Crash history was reported by 95.4% (n = 3821) of drivers, and 58.2% of them reported being involved in a road traffic crash. The likelihood of reporting a previous crash was higher in those who had received a traffic sign violation ticket [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.40; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.15-1.72], were involved in traffic ticket fixing (aOR = 1.28; 95%CI = 1.07-1.53), and considered crashes as will of God (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.57-2.22). These results suggested the need for improving traffic enforcement monitoring and safety education in Pakistan.

The encounter with God in myth and madness.

PubMed

Doerr, Otto; Velásquez, Oscar

2007-07-03

It is well known how often psychiatric patients report religious experiences. These are especially frequent in schizophrenic and epileptic patients as the subject of their delusions. The question we pose is: are there differences between this kind of religious experiences and those we find in religious texts or in the mythological tradition? An overview on famous mythological narratives, such as The Aeneid, allows us to establish that the divinities become recognizable to the human being at the moment of their departure. Thus, Aeneas does not recognise his mother, Venus, when she appears to him in the middle of the forest at the coast of Africa. A dialogue between the two takes place, and only at the end of the encounter, when she is going away and already with her back to Aeneas, she shows her son the signs of her divinity: the rose-flush emanating from her neck, her hair perfume and the majesty of her gait. Something analogous can be observed in the encounter of Moses with Yahweh on Mount Sinai. Moses asks God: "Show me your glory, I beg you". And God replies, among other things: "you shall see the back of me, but my face is not to be seen". In the same sense, the Emmaus disciples do not recognise Jesus till the moment of his disappearance ("but he had vanished from their sight"), and Saul of Tars falls off his horse just in the moment when he feels the divine presence. In short, the direct encounter with the divinity seems not to occur in the realm of myth or in religious tradition. The realm of madness is exactly the opposite. Our research on religious experiences in schizophrenic and epileptic patients leads us to conclude that God appears to them face to face, and the patient describes God the father, Jesus or the Virgin Mary in intimate detail, always in an everyday setting. So, the divinity is seen in the garden, or in the bedroom, or maybe above the wardrobe, without any of its majesty. The nearness to God also tends to be so extreme that even an identification of patient and God can occur. That light emanating from the world of the divine ceases to be perceived by them. While in mythological narratives God appears to the human being at the moment of His departure or showing His back, psychiatric patients with religious delusions experience the divinity in a direct way, face to face. Given the deformation of the divine occurring on the edge of madness we can better understand the mysterious words from Yahweh to Moses in Exodus: "for man cannot see me and live".

The encounter with God in myth and madness

PubMed Central

Doerr, Otto; Velásquez, Óscar

2007-01-01

Background It is well known how often psychiatric patients report religious experiences. These are especially frequent in schizophrenic and epileptic patients as the subject of their delusions. The question we pose is: are there differences between this kind of religious experiences and those we find in religious texts or in the mythological tradition? Results An overview on famous mythological narratives, such as The Aeneid, allows us to establish that the divinities become recognizable to the human being at the moment of their departure. Thus, Aeneas does not recognise his mother, Venus, when she appears to him in the middle of the forest at the coast of Africa. A dialogue between the two takes place, and only at the end of the encounter, when she is going away and already with her back to Aeneas, she shows her son the signs of her divinity: the rose-flush emanating from her neck, her hair perfume and the majesty of her gait. Something analogous can be observed in the encounter of Moses with Yahweh on Mount Sinai. Moses asks God: "Show me your glory, I beg you". And God replies, among other things: "you shall see the back of me, but my face is not to be seen". In the same sense, the Emmaus disciples do not recognise Jesus till the moment of his disappearance ("but he had vanished from their sight"), and Saul of Tars falls off his horse just in the moment when he feels the divine presence. In short, the direct encounter with the divinity seems not to occur in the realm of myth or in religious tradition. The realm of madness is exactly the opposite. Our research on religious experiences in schizophrenic and epileptic patients leads us to conclude that God appears to them face to face, and the patient describes God the father, Jesus or the Virgin Mary in intimate detail, always in an everyday setting. So, the divinity is seen in the garden, or in the bedroom, or maybe above the wardrobe, without any of its majesty. The nearness to God also tends to be so extreme that even an identification of patient and God can occur. That light emanating from the world of the divine ceases to be perceived by them. Conclusion While in mythological narratives God appears to the human being at the moment of His departure or showing His back, psychiatric patients with religious delusions experience the divinity in a direct way, face to face. Given the deformation of the divine occurring on the edge of madness we can better understand the mysterious words from Yahweh to Moses in Exodus: "for man cannot see me and live". PMID:17608933

Why there is no supernatural morality: response to Miller's opening statement.

PubMed

Shermer, Michael

2016-11-01

If one is going to argue that objective morality depends on an Archimedean point outside the natural world, then it would seem to imply that this source is necessarily supernatural. Thus, Christian Miller begins by defining precisely who he thinks this supernatural moral law giver is: the omniscient, omnipotent, and omnibenevolent creator of the universe who is still actively involved with human affairs-Elohim, Jehovah, Yahweh, or Allah-aka God. Already I'm skeptical. © 2016 New York Academy of Sciences.

THANK GOD FOR BOBBY: ROBERT KENNEDY AND THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-06-01

have somebody who’s going to tell me the unvarnished truth, no matter what he thinks , and Bobby will do that. And so I need him…We’re going to...wife Ethel’s birthday, and said, “I hear you don’t think much of this business.” After asking why and listening to Schlesinger’s response, Bobby...de corps by unconsciously developing a number of shared illusions and related norms that interfere with critical thinking and reality testing.”36

Leveraging insights from mainstream gameplay to inform STEM game design: great idea, but what comes next?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biles, Melissa

2012-12-01

This response to Leah A. Bricker and Phillip Bell's paper, GodMode is his video game name, examines their assertion that the social nexus of gaming practices is an important factor to consider for those looking to design STEM video games. I propose that we need to go beyond the investigation into which aspects of games play a role in learning, and move on to thinking about how these insights can actually inform game design practice.

Using Secondary Students' Views about Influences on Their Spiritual Well-Being to Inform Pastoral Care

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, John W.

2006-01-01

Spiritual well-being is reflected in the quality of relationships that each person has in up to four different domains, namely with self, with others, with the environment and/or with God. This study investigated how secondary students perceived relationships with family, friends, school and church community (including God) impacted on their…

Mania and Knowledge. From the Sting of the Gods to Socrates as Educational Gadfly

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erler, Michael

2018-01-01

In Plato's "Phaedrus," Socrates asserts that madness is a good thing if it comes from the gods, and demonstrates this using the example of love. Eroticism becomes thereby philosophy, the lover a philosopher, with Plato's Socrates serving as prototype. The question remains, however, how madness can be reconciled with a philosophical…

"It's the Word of God": Students' Resistance to Questioning and Overcoming Heterosexism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deeb-Sossa, Natalia; Kane, Heather

2007-01-01

At the core of many people's homophobia is their understanding of the position God had toward homosexuals. Fundamental to their homophobia is their use of religious rhetoric that justifies it. According to many conservative Christians who label homosexuality as sinful, homophobia is "praised by the Lord." Such use of religion naturalizes and…

A Comparison of Learning Styles between Asian and American Seminary Students. Research Methodology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Algee, Alan; Bowers, Winefred

This study examined learning style differences between Asian and American seminary students at two post-baccalaureate, Assembly of God seminaries. The study randomly selected 100 students from the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS) in Baguio, Philippines and the Assembly of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) in the United States of whom 24 from…

Dewey's Democracy as the Kingdom of God on Earth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Webster, R. Scott

2009-01-01

John Dewey has been portrayed as a sort of villain in Rosenow's (1997) article which appeared in this journal, apparently because he was unfairly opposed to God and to religion, and also because he deliberately usurped religious language to "camouflage" his secular ideas. By drawing mainly upon similar sources but with some important additions, I…

Contemplation, Attention, and the Distinctive Nature of Catholic Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Nieuwenhove, Rik

2016-01-01

Catholic education should be primarily understood in terms of the contemplative disposition it fosters among students, i.e., a theocentric focus of knowing and loving God, rather than in terms of values. This argument will be developed by drawing on the Thomist understanding of contemplation (as knowing and loving God), and Simone Weil's notion of…

Stress and Depression among Older Residents in Religious Monasteries: Do Friends and God Matter?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bishop, Bishop J.

2008-01-01

The purpose of this investigation was to explore how friendship and attachment to God provide protective benefits against stress and depression. Participants included 235 men and women, age 64 and older, residing in religious monasteries affiliated with the Order of St. Benedict. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were completed to assess…

When God Smites: Talking with Students about the Violence of God in Scripture

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seibert, Eric A.

2014-01-01

This article emphasizes the need for religious educators to address the issue of divine violence in Scripture with students, and it offers various pedagogical strategies for doing so. The focus is on violent Old Testament texts, with special attention given to the issue of Canaanite genocide. A general framework for structuring class time around…

The Image of God and Educational Philosophy: A Biblical Construct?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paulien, Jon

2001-01-01

Discusses the Seventh-day Adventist educational philosophy, originated in part by founder Ellen White, who believed the basic goal of Adventist education was derived from what she considered a fundamental Biblical message: restoring human beings into the image of God. The paper concludes that this concept is the best source for a vision to drive…

Spirituality, Self-Representations, and Attachment to Parents: A Longitudinal Study of Roman Catholic College Seminarians

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reinert, Duane F.

2005-01-01

The author used an attachment theory framework to explore relationships between early attachment to parents and seminarians' later self-representations and relationship with God. Attachment to mother was a key variable in predicting seminarians' level of self-esteem and internalized shame as well as the quality of their relationship with God. This…

God's Thoughts: Practical Steps toward a Theory of Everything

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lincoln, Don

2017-01-01

No matter your opinion on religion, whether you are a staunch believer or an unapologetic atheist, that phrase "God's thoughts" is a delightfully poetic one. It represents in a metaphorical way nothing less than an understanding of the deepest and most fundamental laws of the universe. Specifically, the hope is that we will one day be…

Big Gods: Extended prosociality or group binding?

PubMed

Galen, Luke W

2016-01-01

Big Gods are described as having a "prosocial" effect. However, this conflates parochialism (group cohesion) with cooperation extended to strangers or out-group members. An examination of the cited experimental studies indicates that religion is actually associated with increased within-group parochialism, rather than extended or universal prosociality, and that the same general mechanisms underlie both religious and secular effects.

In God We Trust. The Black Experience Beyond the Red Sea

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Lawrence N.

1976-01-01

Notes that blacks are becoming more and more millenarian in that they tend to believe that only God can bring in a reign of justice and peace in America. Also suggests that a decline in religious participation of black youth contributes to the visible deterioration in the quality of life in their communities. (Author/AM)

Letty M. Russell: A Feminist Liberation Approach to Educating for Justice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brady, Judith Ann

2008-01-01

This article examines the Rev. Dr. Letty M. Russell's feminist liberation approach to educating for justice by reviewing the major themes in her writings. Educating for justice was rooted in Russell's life and ministry, namely, a sense of God's mission to reconcile and mend the world; partnership as sharing in God's mission to effect justice; and…

Using Prayer as an Intervention with Clients Who Are Substance Abusing and Addicted and Who Self-Identify Personal Faith in God and Prayer as Recovery Resources

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Juhnke, Gerald A.; Watts, Richard E.; Guerra, Norma S.; Hsieh, Peggy

2009-01-01

This article describes how the authors use prayer with clients who self-identify their personal faith in God and who have used prayer as a helpful recovery agent or who believe prayer would be helpful to their personal recovery.

Scriptural Engagement, Communication with God, and Moral Behavior among Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ovwigho, Pamela Caudill; Cole, Arnold

2010-01-01

How often an individual reads or listens to scripture is one dimension of private spirituality rarely discussed in the literature. In this study, we use data from a random sample survey of 1009 American children (ages eight to 12) to explore children's engagement with the Christian Bible, their views of communicating with God, and their moral…

Making God real and making God good: some mechanisms through which prayer may contribute to healing.

PubMed

Luhrmann, Tanya Marie

2013-10-01

Many social scientists attribute the health-giving properties of religious practice to social support. This paper argues that another mechanism may be a positive relationship with the supernatural, a proposal that builds upon anthropological accounts of symbolic healing. Such a mechanism depends upon the learned cultivation of the imagination and the capacity to make what is imagined more real and more good. This paper offers a theory of the way that prayer enables this process and provides some evidence, drawn from experimental and ethnographic work, for the claim that a relationship with a loving God, cultivated through the imagination in prayer, may contribute to good health and may contribute to healing in trauma and psychosis.

[On gods, snakes and staffs--the emblem of the medical profession].

PubMed

Rabinerson, David; Salzer, Liat; Gabbay-Benziv, Rinnat

2014-10-01

The commonly accepted emblems of the Medical Profession are the staff of the Greek god of medicine--Asklepios (or Asclepius], on which one serpent is entwined. Later, around the 16th century C.E., the wand of the herald of the Greek Gods, e.g., Hermes, on which two snakes are entwined and facing each other, became popular as the emblem of the medical profession. We elaborate on the history of the evolution of these emblems as symbols of medicine, including earlier influences from the times of the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, which were followed by Judeo-Christian traditions and concepts. The relevance of the use of the wand of Hermes as an emblem of our profession is further discussed.

Destroying God's Temple? Physical Inactivity, Poor Diet, Obesity, and Other "Sin" Behaviors.

PubMed

Faries, Mark D; McClendon, Megan; Jones, Eric J

2017-02-17

On average, our participants (N = 112), who self-proclaimed to be Christians, believed that physically inactive lifestyles, unhealthy eating, overeating, and being obese destroy the body, God's temple. However, these beliefs were less definitive, than those of other common "sin" behaviors, such as drug use, smoking, and excessive drinking of alcohol. In addition, destroying the body with physical inactivity or poor diet was not necessarily viewed as sinful. Subsequently, these beliefs did not relate to self-reported physical activity, dietary behavior, or body mass index. It is possible that inactivity, poor dietary habits, and obesity are not internalized into the spiritual perspective as destroying the body, God's temple, in the same way as other "sin" behaviors.

Nightingale's spiritual philosophy and its significance for modern nursing.

PubMed

Macrae, J

1995-01-01

In her manuscript, Suggestions for Thought, Nightingale attempted to integrate science and mysticism. She wrote that the universe is the incarnation of a divine intelligence that regulates all things through law. For Nightingale, the laws of science are the "Thoughts of God." Because of her deep conviction about universal law, she did not believe in miraculous intervention as an answer to prayer. Human beings must discover the laws of God and apply them for health and wholeness. Prayer is attuning or joining one's personal self with the consciousness of God, which is found in the deepest recesses of one's own being. Nightingale's idea of spirituality as intrinsic to human nature and compatible with science can guide the development of future nursing practice and inquiry.

Religiosity and the concept of god moderate the relationship between the type of trauma, posttraumatic cognitions, and mental health.

PubMed

Kucharska, Justyna

2017-12-11

The aim of the study was to examine the role of religiosity as a moderator in the relationships between trauma, posttraumatic cognitions, and mental health. A one-dimensional measure of religiosity and a multidimensional "concept of god" measure were used; sexual and nonsexual traumatic events were assessed and posttraumatic cognitions related to either sexual or nonsexual trauma were taken into account. A total of 337 females from Poland participated in the cross-sectional study. It was predicted that the relationships between sexual trauma and mental health would be stronger in religious individuals - this hypothesis was supported in the case of negative mental health (PTSD, z = -1.88, p = .003). No significant effects were found for nonsexual trauma; overall, highly religious individuals who had recently experienced trauma showed higher levels of satisfaction with life than nonreligious participants. As for the posttraumatic cognitions, one-dimensional religiosity was not a significant factor, but the self-blame cognitions and the concept of severe god were positively linked. In the case of sexual trauma, this effect was significant among nonreligious individuals. Moreover, the relationship between self-blame and PTSD was stronger in individuals who had the severe god concept. The current study was conducted in a religious society, where the majority of the population is raised as Roman Catholics. It has been demonstrated that religiosity is an important factor in the processing of trauma. This does not apply to religious individuals only: the concept of god was also a significant factor in nonreligious women.

Unpacking religious affiliation: Exploring associations between Christian children's religious cultural context, God image, and self-esteem across development.

PubMed

Smith, Erin I; Crosby, Robert G

2017-03-01

In developmental research, religiousness is typically measured with omnibus affiliation or attendance variables that underspecify how the religious cultural contexts and experiences that affiliation represents influence developmental outcomes. This study explores associations between five aspects of a religious cultural context (family religiosity, religious schooling, church-based relationships with peers and adults, and view of God) in 844 seven- to 12-year-old Christian children to examine how they differentially predict self-esteem. Results of a structural equation model (SEM) analysis indicated that God image and peer church relationships directly predicted self-esteem, whereas God image mediated the influence of adult church relationships and family religious practices on self-esteem. A multiple group SEM analysis met the criterion for weak, but not strong, evidence that self-esteem is more related to younger children's adult church relationships but older children's peer church relationships. God image tended to be more related to younger children's family religious practices but older children's adult church relationships. Implications for developmental researchers and practitioners are discussed. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Religious affiliation is an omnibus variable representing multiple contexts of development. Self-esteem is an important outcome variable with different influences across development. Religious affiliation is associated with increased self-esteem. What does this study add? Children's experience in the contexts of religious affiliation influences development differently. It is not just affiliation, but specific religious contexts that influence children's self-esteem. The role of religious contexts in shaping children's self-esteem shifts across development. © 2016 The British Psychological Society.

Coencapsulation of oxygen carriers and glucose oxidase in polyelectrolyte complex capsules for the enhancement of D-gluconic acid and delta-gluconolactone production.

PubMed

Bucko, Marek; Gemeiner, Peter; Vikartovská, Alica; Mislovicová, Danica; Lacík, Igor; Tkác, Ján

2010-04-01

A novel encapsulated oxidative biocatalyst comprising glucose oxidase (GOD) coencapsulated with oxygen carriers within polyelectrolyte complex capsules was developed for the production of D-gluconic acid and delta-gluconolactone. The capsules containing immobilized GOD were produced by polyelectrolyte complexation with sodium alginate (SA) and cellulose sulfate (CS) as polyanions, poly(methylene-co-guanidine) (PMCG) as the polycation, CaCl(2) as the gelling agent and NaCl as the antigelling agent (GOD-SA-CS/PMCG capsules). Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and an emulsion of n-dodecane (DOD) or perfluorodecaline (PFD) with PDMS were used as the oxygen carriers and MnO(2) was used as a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst. Water-soluble PDMS was found to act as both an oxygen carrier and an emulsifier of water-insoluble DOD and PFD. Stable microcapsules could be produced with concentrations of up to 4% (w/w) of PDMS, 10% (w/w) of DOD and PFD, and 25% (w/w) of MnO(2) in the polyanion solution of SA and CS. Roughly a two-fold increase in the GOD activity from 21.0+/-1.1 to 38.4+/-2.0 U*g(-1) and product space-time yields (STY) from 44.3+/-2.0 to 83.4+/-3.4 g*H*day(-1) could be achieved utilizing coencapsulated oxygen carriers compared to GOD encapsulated in the absence of oxygen carriers. This enhanced production does not significantly depend on the selected oxygen carrier under the conditions used in this study.

Hunter-Gatherers and the Origins of Religion.

PubMed

Peoples, Hervey C; Duda, Pavel; Marlowe, Frank W

2016-09-01

Recent studies of the evolution of religion have revealed the cognitive underpinnings of belief in supernatural agents, the role of ritual in promoting cooperation, and the contribution of morally punishing high gods to the growth and stabilization of human society. The universality of religion across human society points to a deep evolutionary past. However, specific traits of nascent religiosity, and the sequence in which they emerged, have remained unknown. Here we reconstruct the evolution of religious beliefs and behaviors in early modern humans using a global sample of hunter-gatherers and seven traits describing hunter-gatherer religiosity: animism, belief in an afterlife, shamanism, ancestor worship, high gods, and worship of ancestors or high gods who are active in human affairs. We reconstruct ancestral character states using a time-calibrated supertree based on published phylogenetic trees and linguistic classification and then test for correlated evolution between the characters and for the direction of cultural change. Results indicate that the oldest trait of religion, present in the most recent common ancestor of present-day hunter-gatherers, was animism, in agreement with long-standing beliefs about the fundamental role of this trait. Belief in an afterlife emerged, followed by shamanism and ancestor worship. Ancestor spirits or high gods who are active in human affairs were absent in early humans, suggesting a deep history for the egalitarian nature of hunter-gatherer societies. There is a significant positive relationship between most characters investigated, but the trait "high gods" stands apart, suggesting that belief in a single creator deity can emerge in a society regardless of other aspects of its religion.

Understanding the Iran-Hezbollah Nexus from the Perspective of Operational Art

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-04

Levitt tried to fill the gap in his recent book, Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of God , but his effort proves to be partial and...The main difference is the Alawite’s belief that Hazrat Ali (Peace Be upon Him) was divine, one of many manifestations of God in a line with Adam

The ’Islamic State’ Crisis and U.S. Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-12

country, God willing. 1 Remarks at the Brookings Institution by NCTC Director Matthew G. Olsen...the Levant, just as it will not help you in Iraq. Soon, you will be in direct conflict— God permitting— against your will.”4 English language...Iraqi minorities, particularly the Yazidis. The Yazidis are mostly Kurdish speaking and practice a mix of ancient religions, including

27 CFR 25.282 - Beer lost by fire, theft, casualty, or act of God.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... be relieved of liability for the tax if, before transfer of title to the beer to any other person... by fire, casualty, or act of God. The tax liability on excessive losses of beer from transfer between... loss of beer before transfer of title of the beer to another person and who desires to adjust the tax...

27 CFR 25.282 - Beer lost by fire, theft, casualty, or act of God.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... be relieved of liability for the tax if, before transfer of title to the beer to any other person... by fire, casualty, or act of God. The tax liability on excessive losses of beer from transfer between... loss of beer before transfer of title of the beer to another person and who desires to adjust the tax...

27 CFR 25.282 - Beer lost by fire, theft, casualty, or act of God.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... be relieved of liability for the tax if, before transfer of title to the beer to any other person... by fire, casualty, or act of God. The tax liability on excessive losses of beer from transfer between... loss of beer before transfer of title of the beer to another person and who desires to adjust the tax...

Review of Nichole E. Stanford's "Good God but You Smart!: Language Prejudice and Upwardly Mobile Cajuns"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sladek, Amanda

2017-01-01

In "Good God but You Smart!" Nichole E. Stanford provides an account of how attitudes toward Cajun English (CE) perpetuate and are perpetuated by an economic system designed to maintain unequal power relations. While non-Cajun Americans are interested in what they see as Cajun culture, Stanford explains that most misunderstand what…

Sagittarius

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murdin, P.

2000-11-01

(the Archer; abbrev. Sgr, gen. Sagittarii; area 867 sq. deg.) A southern zodiacal constellation which lies between Ophiuchus and Capricornus, and culminates at midnight in early July. Its origin dates back to Sumerian times, when it was identified with Nergal, a god of war, but today it is associated with Crotus, son of the Greek god Pan and the inventor of archery, and it is shown on early celes...

The God That Limps: Science and Technology in the Eighties.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Norman, Colin

The title of this book derives its name from Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire and metalworking, who had a pronounced limp. Focusing on science and technology in the eighties, the first chapter of this book uses Hephaestus as a focal point since he was entrusted with the development and maintenance of key technologies and with keeping society…

Who's Crazy? Students Critique "The Gods Must Be Crazy"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawking, Chris

2012-01-01

On the surface, "The Gods Must Be Crazy" is a campy confluence of three independent plotlines involving Xi, a Kalahari tribesman, who journeys to the end of the earth to dispose of a Coke bottle that has begun to disrupt the harmony of his community; Mr. Steyn, a white scientist, and the beautiful blonde schoolteacher he escorts through the bush;…

Differences in the Perception of Growth in Spiritual Development between Freshmen and Seniors Attending an Assemblies of God Affiliated University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Manley, Paula R.

2017-01-01

Purpose, Scope, and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to describe the perception of growth in spiritual development of undergraduate students attending an Assemblies of God affiliated university by examining the differences in the perception of spiritual development between freshmen and seniors. This quantitative study used a survey…

"Under God" and the Pledge of Allegiance: Examining a 1954 Sermon and Its Meaning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Groce, Eric C.; Heafner, Tina; Bellows, Elizabeth

2013-01-01

A lesson exploring the Pledge of Allegiance, its history, and the addition of the phrase "under God," can serve as a jumping off point into major themes of U.S. history and First Amendment freedoms. Although the Pledge is ubiquitous in contemporary America, educators and students are often uninformed about the history and meaning of the…

27 CFR 25.282 - Beer lost by fire, theft, casualty, or act of God.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Beer lost by fire, theft... TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS BEER Refund or Adjustment of Tax or Relief From Liability § 25.282 Beer lost by fire, theft, casualty, or act of God. (a) General. The tax paid by...

Teaching Religion in Public Schools: Review of Warren A. Nord, "Does God Make a Difference?"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feinberg, Walter

2013-01-01

In this review of Warren Nord's "Does God Make a Difference? Taking Religion Seriously in Our Schools and Universities," Walter Feinberg provides a detailed analysis of Nord's argument that the study of religion should be constitutionally mandated as a corrective to the overwhelmingly secular course of study offered in…

Gods behaving badly.

PubMed

Retsas, Spyros

2015-02-01

This paper addresses the myths surrounding the birth and death of Asclepios, the popular healing God of the Greeks and his place among other deities of the Greek Pantheon. The enigmatic invocation of Asclepios by Socrates, the Athenian philosopher condemned to take the hemlock, in his final moments is also discussed. © The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

"La Familia" as "Locus Theologicus" and Religious Education in "Lo Cotidiano" [Daily Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Torres, Valerie

2010-01-01

Latinas/os are deeply religious, and their way of expressing and experiencing God and life is often different from that of the U.S. dominant culture. With the importance of family, community, and the belief that God is actively present in daily life in a Latino context, this article explores the interplay between "la familia" as "locus…

Hesiod (eighth century BC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murdin, P.

2000-11-01

Greek epic poet who described his cosmology in Theogeny, the birth of the gods, which he derived from Babylonian mythology. In his family tree of the gods, Chaos (the yawning gap between Earth and Heaven) produced Erebus (the Abyss) and Night, who produced Ether and Day. At the same time, Earth produced the Heavens, Mountains, and Sea. The Heavens and Earth then produced Cronos. This family tree...

Longing for a Better World: Hope in Professional Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erwich, René; van der Stoep, Jan

2017-01-01

Christians are called to be a witness to the coming of the Kingdom of God and to cultivate practices in which peace and justice may flourish. In order to serve God in their daily work, Christians are faced with situations that cause both hope and despair. In this article, we explore what the concept of hope means for the education of Christian…

Felix beyond the Closet: Sexuality, Masculinity, and Relations of Power in Arturo Islas's "The Rain God"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Padilla, Yolanda

2009-01-01

This essay examines the uneasy relationship that Arturo Islas's "The Rain God" has had with narratives of identity, focusing on how the representation of Felix's sexuality makes him a problematic figure for certain strains of Chicana/o and queer studies. In other writings, Islas criticizes Quinto Sol, the chief publishing house of Chicano…

Extension Education: Training Coordinators to Facilitate Distance Education through the Assemblies of God Bible Institute in Belize

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Castleberry, Terry Lane

2010-01-01

The specific objective of this project was to train coordinators to open new extension classes and effectively facilitate existing extension classes offered by the Assemblies of God Bible Institute (AGBI) in Belize. Extensive biblical and literary research and a thorough evaluation of current extension classes led to the development of a…

Religious Diversity, Empathy, and God Images: Perspectives from the Psychology of Religion Shaping a Study among Adolescents in the UK

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Francis, Leslie J.; Croft, Jennifer S.; Pyke, Alice

2012-01-01

Major religious traditions agree in advocating and promoting love of neighbour as well as love of God. Love of neighbour is reflected in altruistic behaviour and empathy stands as a key motivational factor underpinning altruism. This study employs the empathy scale from the Junior Eysenck Impulsiveness Questionnaire to assess the association…

27 CFR 25.282 - Beer lost by fire, theft, casualty, or act of God.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Beer lost by fire, theft... TAX AND TRADE BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY LIQUORS BEER Refund or Adjustment of Tax or Relief From Liability § 25.282 Beer lost by fire, theft, casualty, or act of God. (a) General. The tax paid by...

A Restorationist Views the Modernist/Post Modernist Debate. (Presidential Address).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flinders, Neil J.

The nation's schools and society in general face serious problems that are largely rooted in moral and spiritual issues. Modern philosophy has led to a secular culture in which the existence of a divine God has been rejected, and man has become his own God, his own standard of measurement. These issues are addressed from the point of view of a…

Hierarchically mesostructured porous TiO2 hollow nanofibers for high performance glucose biosensing.

PubMed

Guo, Qiaohui; Liu, Lijuan; Zhang, Man; Hou, Haoqing; Song, Yonghai; Wang, Huadong; Zhong, Baoying; Wang, Li

2017-06-15

Effective immobilization of enzymes on an electrode surface is of great importance for biosensor development, but it still remains challenging because enzymes tend to denaturation and/or form close-packed structures. In this work, a free-standing TiO 2 hollow nanofibers (HNF-TiO 2 ) was successfully prepared by a simple and scalable electrospun nanofiber film template-assisted sol-gel method, and was further explored for glucose oxidase (GOD) immobilization and biosensing. This porous and nanotubular HNF-TiO 2 provides a well-defined hierarchical nanostructure for GOD loading, and the fine TiO 2 nanocrystals facilitate direct electron transfer from GOD to the electrode, also the strong interaction between GOD and HNF-TiO 2 greatly enhances the stability of the biosensor. The as-prepared glucose biosensors show good sensing performances both in O 2 -free and O 2 -containing conditions with good sensitivity, satisfactory selectivity, long-term stability and sound reliability. The novel textile formation, porous and hierarchically mesostructured nature of HNF-TiO 2 with excellent analytical performances make it a superior platform for the construction of high-performance glucose biosensors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Remain true to our original aspiration for farewell to the God of Plague, compose the new chapter for the national schistosomiasis control programme scientifically-Commemoration of 60th anniversary of publishing Chairman Mao Zedong's two poems "Farewell to the God of Plague"].

PubMed

Xiao-Nong, Zhou; Shi-Zhu, Li; Qing-Biao, Hong; Kun, Yang; Shan, Lü; Jing, Xu

2018-02-26

This paper reviews the huge promotion of Chairman Mao Zedong's two poems entitled "Farewell to the God of Plague" which were published 60 years ago, and the great achievements of the national schistosomiasis control programme in China. The publication of the two poems promotes the establishment of the mechanism for the national schistosomiasis control programme in China, and in addition, the schistosomiasis control spirit of the people from Yujiang County is still the source of power for the promotion of transferring the schistosomiasis control to elimination stage in China. Now, that we commemorate the 60th anniversary of publishing Chairman Mao Zedong's two poems entitled "Farewell to the God of Plague" means we remain the true to our original aspiration to serve the people forever, which is also to promote the progress of schistosomiasis elimination in China according to the law, the scientific principle, and local conditions, so as to contribute our efforts for realizing the healthy China's dream.

Understanding traditional African healing.

PubMed

Mokgobi, M G

2014-09-01

Traditional African healing has been in existence for many centuries yet many people still seem not to understand how it relates to God and religion/spirituality. Some people seem to believe that traditional healers worship the ancestors and not God. It is therefore the aim of this paper to clarify this relationship by discussing a chain of communication between the worshipers and the Almighty God. Other aspects of traditional healing namely types of traditional healers, training of traditional healers as well as the role of traditional healers in their communities are discussed. In conclusion, the services of traditional healers go far beyond the uses of herbs for physical illnesses. Traditional healers serve many roles which include but not limited to custodians of the traditional African religion and customs, educators about culture, counselors, social workers and psychologists.

The Discovery of the Regular Movements of Celestial Bodies and the Development of Monotheism in the Ancient Near East

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanfranchi, G. B.

2011-06-01

For Ancient Mesopotamians, astronomical phenomena were signs signifying the gods' judgment on human behaviour. Mesopotamian scholars studied celestial phenomena for understanding the gods' will, and strongly developed astrology. From the 8th to the 6th century BC Assyrian and Babylonian astronomers achieved the ability to predict solar and lunar eclipses, and the planets' movements through mathematical calculations. Predictability of astral phenomena solicited the awareness that they are all regular, and that the universe is governed by an eternal, immutable order fixed at its very beginning. This finally favoured the idea that the cosmic order depended on the will of one god only, displacing polytheism in favour of monotheism; and astrology lost its religious importance as a mean to know the divine will.

Glucose biosensor based on nanocomposite films of CdTe quantum dots and glucose oxidase.

PubMed

Li, Xinyu; Zhou, Yunlong; Zheng, Zhaozhu; Yue, Xiuli; Dai, Zhifei; Liu, Shaoqin; Tang, Zhiyong

2009-06-02

A blood glucose sensor has been developed based on the multilayer films of CdTe semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and glucose oxidase (GOD) by using the layer-by-layer assembly technique. When the composite films were contacted with glucose solution, the photoluminescence of QDs in the films was quickly quenched because the enzyme-catalyzed reaction product (H2O2) of GOD and glucose gave rise to the formation of surface defects on QDs. The quenching rate was a function of the concentration of glucose. The linear range and sensitivity for glucose determination could be adjusted by controlling the layers of QDs and GOD. The biosensor was used to successfully determine the concentration of blood glucose in real serum samples without sample pretreatment and exhibited satisfactory reproducibility and accuracy.

Understanding traditional African healing

PubMed Central

MOKGOBI, M.G.

2015-01-01

Traditional African healing has been in existence for many centuries yet many people still seem not to understand how it relates to God and religion/spirituality. Some people seem to believe that traditional healers worship the ancestors and not God. It is therefore the aim of this paper to clarify this relationship by discussing a chain of communication between the worshipers and the Almighty God. Other aspects of traditional healing namely types of traditional healers, training of traditional healers as well as the role of traditional healers in their communities are discussed. In conclusion, the services of traditional healers go far beyond the uses of herbs for physical illnesses. Traditional healers serve many roles which include but not limited to custodians of the traditional African religion and customs, educators about culture, counselors, social workers and psychologists. PMID:26594664

Intercalation of biomolecules into NiAl-NO 3 layered double hydroxide films synthesized in situ on anodic alumina/aluminium support

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Hua-Zhang; Chang, Ying-Yue; Yang, Jing; Yang, Qin-Zheng

2013-03-01

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) films were synthesized in situ on anodic alumina/aluminium (AAO/Al). Glucose oxidase (GOD) and L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C, VC) were intercalated respectively into the in-situ grown LDH films by anion-exchange in aqueous solutions. Dodecylsulfate (SDS) was used to expand the lamellar structure before GOD intercalation into the LDH film. The resulting products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that VC and GOD were successfully intercalated into the in-situ synthesized LDH film. These biomolecules loaded LDH films could have potential applications in electrode modification, safe storage and effective delivery of bioactive compounds.

Uncertain future, non-numeric preferences, and the fertility transition: A case study of rural Mozambique.

PubMed

Hayford, Sarah R; Agadjanian, Victor

In many high-fertility countries, and especially in sub-Saharan Africa, substantial proportions of women give non-numeric responses when asked about desired family size. Demographic transition theory has interpreted responses of "don't know" or "up to God" as evidence of fatalistic attitudes toward childbearing. Alternatively, these responses can be understood as meaningful reactions to uncertainty about the future. Following this latter approach, we use data from rural Mozambique to test the hypothesis that non-numeric responses are more common when uncertainty about the future is greater. We expand on previous research linking child mortality and non-numeric fertility preferences by testing the predictive power of economic conditions, marital instability, and adult mortality. Results show that uncertainty related to adult and child mortality and to economic conditions predicts non-numeric responses, while marital stability is less strongly related.

Suffering and the sovereignty of God: one Evangelical's perspective on doctor-assisted suicide.

PubMed

Amundsen, Darrel W

1995-12-01

This paper presents my personal convictions, as an Evangelical, regarding the absolute impropriety of doctor-assisted suicide for Christians. They have been "bought with a price" and are owned by Another. Hence, they must always strive to glorify God in their bodies, both in life and in death. Although they crave the well-being of temporal health, when they are ill seek healing or relief, and may well recoil even from the thought of suffering and dying, they should realize that their values and priorities must be rooted in biblical truths and that their well-being is eternal and not temporal, spiritual and not material. As Christians, their attitudes and responses to suffering and dying must be molded by the reality that their Creator and Sovereign will cause all things to work together for their good and that their Lord has called them into a fellowship of His suffering in which they are sustained by dependence upon Him. Hence, for Christians to take their lives in order to escape from the trials and testings ordained by Him would be a failure of love and a breach of trust.

A surface-confined DNA assembly amplification strategy on DNA nanostructural scaffold for electrochemiluminescence biosensing.

PubMed

Feng, Qiu-Mei; Guo, Yue-Hua; Xu, Jing-Juan; Chen, Hong-Yuan

2018-02-15

A critical challenge in surface-based DNA assembly amplification is the reduced accessibility of DNA strands arranged on a heterogeneous surface compared to that in homogeneous solution. Here, a novel in situ surface-confined DNA assembly amplification electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor based on DNA nanostructural scaffold was presented. In this design, a stem-loop structural DNA segment (Hairpin 1) was constructed on the vertex of DNA nanostructural scaffold as recognition probe. In the present of target DNA, the hairpin structure changed to rod-like through complementary hybridization with target DNA, resulting in the formation of Hairpin 1:target DNA. When the obtained Hairpin 1:target DNA met Hairpin 2 labeled with glucose oxidase (GOD), the DNA cyclic amplification was activated, releasing target DNA into homogeneous solution for the next recycling. Thus, the ECL signal of Ru(bpy) 3 2+ -TPrA system was quenched by H 2 O 2 , the product of GOD catalyzing glucose. As a result, this proposed method achieved a linear range response from 50 aM to 10 pM with lower detection limit of 20 aM. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prolonging dying is the same as prolonging living--one more response to Long.

PubMed Central

Kuhse, H; Singer, P

1991-01-01

In earlier publications, we had argued that Paul Ramsey is inconsistent because he simultaneously asserts that (i) 'all our days and years are of equal worth' and (ii) 'that it is permissible to refrain from prolonging the lives of some dying patients'. Thomas Long has suggested that we have not shown that Paul Ramsey is inconsistent. Ramsey and we, he holds, start from incommensurable metaphysical views: for Ramsey, the dying process has religious significance--God is calling his servant home. While it is normally a good thing to keep a patient alive, it would, for Ramsey, show deafness to God's call to keep a dying patient alive. It is true we do not share Paul Ramsey's religious views. It is, however, not necessary to rely on any particular metaphysical views to refute Ramsey's position. For Ramsey's view to be internally consistent, Ramsey would have to be able to distinguish between dying and non-dying patients. We examine some of Ramsey's examples and show that his practical judgements do not allow us to draw this distinction. This means that, contra Long, we hold fast to our charge that Ramsey's view is inconsistent. PMID:1787522

Amperometric glucose biosensor with remarkable acid stability based on glucose oxidase entrapped in colloidal gold-modified carbon ionic liquid electrode.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoying; Zeng, Xiandong; Mai, Nannan; Liu, Yong; Kong, Bo; Li, Yonghong; Wei, Wanzhi; Luo, Shenglian

2010-08-15

A colloidal gold-modified carbon ionic liquid electrode was constructed by mixing colloidal gold-modified graphite powder with a solid room temperature ionic liquid n-octyl-pyridinium hexafluorophosphate (OPPF(6)). Glucose oxidase (GOD) was entrapped in this composite matrix and maintained its bioactivity well and displayed excellent stability. The effect conditions of pH, applied potential and GOD loading were examined. Especially, the glucose oxidase entrapped in this carbon ionic liquid electrode fully retained its activity upon stressing in strongly acidic conditions (pH 2.0) for over one hour. The proposed biosensor responds to glucose linearly over concentration range of 5.0x10(-6) to 1.2x10(-3) and 2.6x10(-3) to 1.3x10(-2) M, and the detection limit is 3.5x10(-6) M. The response time of the biosensor is fast (within 10s), and the life time is over two months. The effects of electroactive interferents, such as ascorbic acid, uric acid, can be significantly reduced by a Nafion film casting on the surface of resulting biosensor. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Quantification of the multi-streaming effect in redshift space distortion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Yi; Zhang, Pengjie; Oh, Minji

2017-05-01

Both multi-streaming (random motion) and bulk motion cause the Finger-of-God (FoG) effect in redshift space distortion (RSD). We apply a direct measurement of the multi-streaming effect in RSD from simulations, proving that it induces an additional, non-negligible FoG damping to the redshift space density power spectrum. We show that, including the multi-streaming effect, the RSD modelling is significantly improved. We also provide a theoretical explanation based on halo model for the measured effect, including a fitting formula with one to two free parameters. The improved understanding of FoG helps break the fσ8-σv degeneracy in RSD cosmology, and has the potential of significantly improving cosmological constraints.

An Approach to Understanding Psychotronics

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-06-01

a biological system, psi, consciousness, inception, telepathy psychokinesis, UFO’s, God, and the collective unconscious can be taken. Materialization...consciousness, inception, telepathy , tpsychkinesis, UFO’s,, God, and the collective unconscious can be taken. Materialization, demat rializaticn, and...8217the first three laws, then the four law system is indeed closed, and the logician’s dream of a closed metalogic is realized. Further, anything which

Living God or Cosmic Therapist? Implications of the National Survey of Youth and Religion for Christian Religious Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bachand, Sarah Caffrey

2010-01-01

This article responds to sociologist Christian Smith's claim that many teenagers today have lost traditional religious faith and instead espouse a new and erroneous faith in God the "Cosmic Therapist." The author challenges this claim by comparing two of Smith's chief complaints vis-a-vis teen faith to established portraits of adolescent faith.…

Sustaining Science through Language in a Pluralistic World

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ogunsiji, Yemi; Ojo, J. O.; Farinde, R. O.

2015-01-01

In any society, the role of language has always been a very vital and incontrovertible one. The bible made us to understand that at the beginning, there was word and the word was with God and God was the word. The world and all that we have therein were created through word. This makes one to wonder about the power in language today. At all levels…

God-talk as apocalyptic.

PubMed

Allen, J T

2000-01-01

Notes that God-talk encountered in pastoral ministry resembles the genre of apocalyptic literature and that the language and imagery is often confrontational and non-rational. Opines that caregivers need to be aware of the dynamic dimension of apocalyptic in order to understand the use of apocalyptic imagery in the pastoral encounter. Explores the background and theology of apocalyptic perspectives and suggests how it might be utilized in pastoral ministry.

Experimenting with Spirituality: Analyzing "The God Gene" in a Nonmajors Laboratory Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silveira, Linda A.

2008-01-01

References linking genes to complex human traits, such as personality type or disease susceptibility, abound in the news media and popular culture. In his book "The God Gene: How Faith is Hardwired into Our Genes", Dean Hamer argues that a variation in the "VMAT2" gene plays a role in one's openness to spiritual experiences. In a nonmajors class,…

The `natural' body, God and contraceptive use in the southeastern United States

PubMed Central

WOODSONG, CYNTHIA; SHEDLIN, MICHELE; KOO, HELEN

2011-01-01

Data collected among African-American and Caucasian women and men in the southeastern USA indicate that participants' perceptions of nature, God's will and the human body influence reproductive health and decision-making. Attitudes about the health care system, pharmaceutical companies and government programmes for fertility regulation reinforce these views and may negatively affect willingness to use contraceptive methods consistently and correctly. PMID:21972833

The Last Word: An Interview with Frank Pajares--God, the Devil, William James, the Little Prince, and Self-Efficacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bembenutty, Hefer

2007-01-01

This article presents an interview with Frank Pajares, an internationally recognized scholar in the field of motivation and self-efficacy. During the interview, Pajares talked about William James, what he learned from reading "The Little Prince," his self-efficacy beliefs, and his famous speech wherein he spoke of God, the Devil, and solving the…

Theological issues in genetics.

PubMed

Walter, J J

1999-03-01

Theological reflection can contribute a distinctive perspective from which to analyze and evaluate moral debates about issues in modern genetics and reproductive medicine. The author appeals to two hermeneutical themes, human beings as "images of God" and the tendency of humans to "play God," in order to discuss various church statements and theological literature on human gene transfer, somatic cell nuclear transplant cloning of human beings, and patenting of human genes.

On the Roman god Verminus.

PubMed

Cordero-del-Campillo, M

1999-01-01

An inscription from the II century BC, dedicated to the Roman god Verminus and considered to be due to the rising threat of human worm infections, is studied from linguistic and historical points of view. Having analyzed the historical sources we have reached the conclusion that the erection of the shrine was not related to the human helminthosis but to the epidemic infectuous disease which affected both animal and humans.

God's Providence in Puritan New England: An Inquiry into the Nature of Ideas. Teacher and Student Manuals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, H. Mark

To show how a central idea shapes a monolithic society, this social studies unit focuses on the idea of God's "providence" as the motivational force in Puritan thinking and analyzes the idea's sources, its truth, its impact, and its evolution through three generations of Puritan living. Sections of the unit discuss (1) the religious,…

Highly sensitive aptasensor based on synergetic catalysis activity of MoS2-Au-HE composite using cDNA-Au-GOD for signal amplification.

PubMed

Song, Hai-Yan; Kang, Tian-Fang; Lu, Li-Ping; Cheng, Shui-Yuan

2017-03-01

Single or few-layer nanosheets of MoS 2 (MoS 2 nanosheets) and a composite composed of MoS 2 nanosheets, Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) and hemin (HE) (denoted as MoS 2 -Au-HE) were prepared. The composites possessed high synergetic catalysis activity towards the electroreduction of hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, glucose oxidase (GOD) and AuNPs were used as marker of the complementary DNA (cDNA) strand of kanamycin aptamer to prepare a conjugate (reffered as cDNA-Au-GOD) that was designed as the signal probe. Both cDNA-Au-GOD and MoS 2 -Au-HE were applied to fabricate aptasensor for kanamycin. MoS 2 -Au-HE acted as solid platform for kanamycin aptamer and signal transmitters. AuNPs were employed as the supporter of cDNA and GOD which catalyze dissolved oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide in the presence of glucose. Then cathodic peak current of H 2 O 2 was recorded by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The electrochemical reduction of H 2 O 2 was catalyzed by MoS 2 -Au-HE that was modified onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The cathodic peak current of H 2 O 2 was highly linearly decreased with an increase of kanamycin concentrations from 1.0ng/L to 1.0×10 5 ng/L, with a detection limit of 0.8ng/L. This aptasensor can be used to detect kanamycin in milk with high specificity, sensitivity and selectivity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Penile representations in ancient Greek art.

PubMed

Rempelakos, L; Tsiamis, C; Poulakou-Rebelakou, E

2013-12-01

The presentation of the cult of phallus in ancient Greece and the artistic appearance of the phenomenon on vase figures and statues, as indicative of the significant role of the male genitalia in all fertility ceremonies. The examination of a great number of penile representations from the ancient Greek pottery and sculpture and the review of the ancient theater plays (satiric dramas and comedies ). Phallus in artistic representation is connected either with gods of fertility, such as the goat-footed and horned Pan or the ugly dwarf Priapus or the semi-animal nailed figures Satyrs, devotees of the god Dionysus accompanying him in all ritual orgiastic celebrations. Phallus also symbolizes good luck, health and sexuality: people bear or wear artificial phalli exactly like the actors as part of their costume or carry huge penises during the festive ritual processions. On the contrary, the Olympic gods or the ordinary mortals are not imaged ithyphallic; the ideal type of male beauty epitomized in classical sculpture, normally depicts genitals of average or less than average size. It is noteworthy that many of these images belong to athletes during or immediately after hard exercise with the penis shrunk. The normal size genitalia may have been simply a convention to distinguish normal people from the gods of sexuality and fertility, protectors of the reproductive process of Nature. The representation of the over-sized and erected genitalia on vase figures or statues of ancient Greek art is related to fertility gods such as Priapus, Pan and Satyrs and there is strong evidence that imagination and legend were replacing the scientific achievements in the field of erectile function for many centuries.

Amplified electrochemiluminescence of luminol based on hybridization chain reaction and in situ generate co-reactant for highly sensitive immunoassay.

PubMed

Xiao, Lijuan; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Ruo; Cao, Yaling; Wang, Haijun; Bai, Lijuan

2013-10-15

In this work, we described a simple and highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) strategy for IgG detection. Firstly, L-cysteine functionalized reduced graphene oxide composite (L-cys-rGO) was decorated on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Then anti-IgG was immobilized on the modified electrode surface through the interaction between the carboxylic groups of the L-cys-rGO and the amine groups in anti-IgG. And then biotinylated anti-IgG (bio-anti-IgG) was assembled onto the electrode surface based on the sandwich-type immunoreactions. By the conjunction of biotin and streptavidin (SA), SA was immobilized, which in turn, combined with the biotin labeled initiator strand (S1). In the presence of two single DNA strands of glucose oxidase labeled S2 (GOD-S2) and complementary strand (S3), S1 could trigger the hybridization chain reaction (HCR) among S1, GOD-S2 and S3. Herein, due to HCR, numerous GOD was efficiently immobilizated on the sensing surface and exhibited excellent catalysis towards glucose to in situ generate amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which acted as luminol's co-reactant to significantly enhance the ECL signal. The proposed ECL immunosensor presented predominate stability and high sensibility for determination of IgG in the range from 0.1 pg mL(-1) to 100 ng mL(-1) with a detection limit of 33 fg mL(-1) (S/N=3). Additionally, the designed ECL immunosensor exhibited a promising application for other protein detection. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spiritual and religious experiences of adolescent psychiatric inpatients versus healthy peers.

PubMed

Grossoehme, Daniel H; Cotton, Sian; Leonard, Anthony

2007-01-01

One hundred twenty-two adolescent psychiatric inpatients with depressive disorders and 80 healthy peers were administered the INSPIRIT, a measure of core spiritual experiences. Healthy adolescents reported a greater frequency of spiritual experiences and a more positive impact of such experiences on their belief in God than did their inpatient peers. Adolescent inpatients reported higher frequencies of experiencing angels, demons, God or guiding spirits; feeling unity with the earth and other living things; and with near death or life after death as compared to healthy peers. Overall, females reported higher frequency of spiritual experiences and higher impact of the experience on their belief in God than did males. It was concluded that the INSPIRIT is a feasible spiritual assessment tool for adolescent populations and may be used by chaplains as a means for guiding clinical conversations with adolescents.

The Interactive Play and a Persuasive God: A Psychoanalytic Approach to Re-envisioning Pastoral Care and Counseling.

PubMed

Jang, Jung Eun

2016-06-01

The purpose of this article is to present a sketch of a new image of pastoral care and counseling, which reflects the psychoanalytic understanding of the interacting transference and countertransference matrix, along with a process view of God in a mutually influencing relationship with creatures. A more effective approach in pastoral care and counseling can be conceptualized as the interactive play in which pastoral caregivers and receivers co-create a therapeutic relationship with their own past experiences and their creative capabilities. The interactive play is a concept of describing the mutually influencing relationship in the transference and countertransference interchange. The article introduces the concept of a persuasive God as a new image of pastoral care and counseling which includes aspects of the mutually interacting process in play. © The Author(s) 2016.

President Reagan’s commitment of Peacekeepers in Lebanon, 1983

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-21

2008-10/25-years-later-we-came-peace. 5 Douglas Lute, Briefing to the Author, Brussels, September 2014. 5 such as Egypt , France and the United... God , published in 2013, examines how conflict in Lebanon allowed Iran to “aggregate under one roof a variety of militant Shi’a groups in Lebanon.”7...7 Matthew Levitt, Hezbollah, The Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of God (Washington

Terrorist Beheadings: Cultural and Strategic Implications

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-03-18

Old Testament, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac, only to be stopped by an angel of God . The Aztecs perfected ritual as a way to intimidate...secular phenomenon.7 Human sacrifices were commonly performed to appease the gods , ensure victory in battle, or guarantee a bountiful harvest. In the...other peoples. On special occasions such as the dedication of a new temple, the Aztecs invited neighboring dignitaries to observe the rites, which

Terrorist Beheadings: Cultural and Strategic Implications

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

harvest. In the Old Testament, Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac, only to be stopped by an angel of God . The Aztecs perfected ritual as a way...predominantly secular phenomenon.7 Human sacrifices were commonly performed to appease the gods , ensure victory in battle, or guarantee a bountiful...to intimidate other peoples. On special occasions such as the dedication of a new temple, the Aztecs invited neighboring dignitaries to observe the

All Possible Wars? Toward a Consensus View of the Future Security Environment, 2001-2025

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

technology that the truly unanticipated seems to be crowded out. Predictions from “our future as post-modern cyborgs ” to “the future of God,” would...Hables Grey, “Our Future as Post-Modern Cyborgs ,” in Didsbury, 20–40, and Robert B. Mellert, “The Future of God,” in Didsbury, 76–82. 305 See discussion in

The Academy on the Firing Line: William F. Buckley, Jr.'s "God and Man at Yale" and the Modern Conservative Critique of Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laukaitis, John J.

2013-01-01

In 1951, William F. Buckley, Jr. was a recent alumnus of Yale University and former editor of the "Yale Daily News" when his first major work, "God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of 'Academic Freedom'," became a controversial polemic that attracted national attention. In his work, Buckley claimed Yale's faculty advanced…

Let him pass.

PubMed

Sobel, R J; Reichlin, M

1998-01-01

Despite moral uncertainty, the physician must respond when a patient complains that "God has forgotten me". In part one of this article, I, (R.S), describe in some detail my response to the individual who prefers death to life, and I end this section with the question: "Is what I do morally acceptable?" In part two of the article a philosopher-bioethicist, (M.R.), replies to my question: his answer-one of many possible answers-centers on the Catholic concept of proportionality. Although arguments based on moral philosophy suggest that my behavior is within moral limits, my doubts remain.

Zinc oxide inverse opal electrodes modified by glucose oxidase for electrochemical and photoelectrochemical biosensor.

PubMed

Xia, Lei; Song, Jian; Xu, Ru; Liu, Dali; Dong, Biao; Xu, Lin; Song, Hongwei

2014-09-15

The ZnO inverse opal photonic crystals (IOPCs) were synthesized by the sol-gel method using the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as a template. For glucose detection, glucose oxidase (GOD) was further immobilized on the inwall and surface of the IOPCs. The biosensing properties toward glucose of the Nafion/GOD/ZnO IOPCs modified FTO electrodes were carefully studied and the results indicated that the sensitivity of ZnO IOPCs modified electrode was 18 times than reference electrode due to the large surface area and uniform porous structure of ZnO IOPCs. Moreover, photoelectrochemical detection for glucose using the electrode was realized and the sensitivity approached to 52.4 µA mM(-1) cm(-2), which was about four times to electrochemical detection (14.1 µA mM(-1) cm(-2)). It indicated that photoelectrochemical detection can highly improve the sensor performance than conventional electrochemical method. It also exhibited an excellent anti-interference property and a good stability at the same time. This work provides a promising approach for realizing excellent photoelectrochemical biosensor of similar semiconductor photoelectric material. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Infant and Child Deaths: Parent Concerns about Subsequent Pregnancies

PubMed Central

Brooten, Dorothy; Youngblut, JoAnne M.; Hannan, Jean; Caicedo, Carmen; Roche, Rosa; Malkawi, Fatima

2015-01-01

Purpose examine parents' concerns about subsequent pregnancies after experiencing an infant or child death (newborn to 18 years). Data Sources 39 semi-structured parent (White, Black, Hispanic) interviews 7 and 13 months post infant/child death conducted in English and/or Spanish, audio-recorded, transcribed and content analyzed. Mothers' mean age was 31.8 years, fathers' was 39 years; 11 parents were White, 16 Black, 12 Hispanic. Conclusions Themes common at 7 and 13 months: wanting more children; fear, anxiety, scared; praying to God/God's will; thinking about/keeping the infant's/child's memory and at 7 months importance of becoming pregnant for family members; and at 13 months happy about a new baby. Parents who lost a child in NICU commented more than those who lost a child in PICU. Black and Hispanic parents commented more on praying to God and subsequent pregnancies being God's will than White parents. Implications for Practice Loss of an infant/child is a significant stressor on parents with documented negative physical and mental health outcomes. Assessing parents' subsequent pregnancy plans, recognizing the legitimacy of their fears about another pregnancy, discussing a plan should they encounter problems and carefully monitoring the health of all parents who lost an infant/child is an essential practitioner role. PMID:25761229

Direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase and biosensing for glucose based on PDDA-capped gold nanoparticle modified graphene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes electrode.

PubMed

Yu, Yanyan; Chen, Zuanguang; He, Sijing; Zhang, Beibei; Li, Xinchun; Yao, Meicun

2014-02-15

In this work, poly (diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized graphene (G)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposites were fabricated. Based on the electrostatic attraction, the G/MWCNTs hybrid material can be decorated with AuNPs uniformly and densely. The new hierarchical nanostructure can provide a larger surface area and a more favorable microenvironment for electron transfer. The AuNPs/G/MWCNTs nanocomposite was used as a novel immobilization platform for glucose oxidase (GOD). Direct electron transfer (DET) was achieved between GOD and the electrode. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to characterize the electrochemical biosensor. The glucose biosensor fabricated based on GOD electrode modified with AuNPs/G/MWCNTs demonstrated satisfactory analytical performance with high sensitivity (29.72mAM(-1)cm(-2)) and low limit of detection (4.8 µM). The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (ΚS) and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of GOD were calculated to be 11.18s(-1) and 2.09 mM, respectively. With satisfactory selectivity, reproducibility, and stability, the nanostructure we proposed offered an alternative for electrode fabricating and glucose biosensing. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experience of the Self in a lifetime.

PubMed

Dreifuss, G

2001-10-01

While listening to a concert at the age of 20, I suddenly was overcome by a feeling of oneness. The music had touched deeper levels of my soul, which much later I could understand as an experience of the Self. Music may arouse opposite feelings, the source of which is the ambivalence of the Self, of God. These opposites within the Godhead are best explained by the word numinosity, a term coined by Rudolf Otto in his book The Idea of the Holy. Love and fear are opposite feelings with regard to God, to the 'numen'. A meaningful change in my life occurred at the age of 38 when my wife and myself decided to leave Switzerland and immigrate to Israel. Several dreams pointed to the necessity of settling in the Biblical Land, the earth being a manifestation of the mother archetype. The Jungian term Self is discussed by examples from my own analysis and by quoting Edinger. The Self is the mystery of conjunction of feminine and masculine energy. This was clear to me, but what about the evil, dark side of God, of his destructive side, of Satan or the devil, of Christ and Antichrist? I experienced the dark side of God when the Nazis rose to power, unleashing WW II and killing 6 million Jews in the Holocaust.

L'humanisme dans les monothéismes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chouraqui, Jean-Marc; Gril, Denis; Leblanc, Christophe

2014-06-01

Humanism in monotheistic religions - This three-part article on religion and humanism discusses the place of humanism in the revealed religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The three authors show that humanism, which posits man as an autonomous being endowed with reason who is the measure of all things, and religion, which implies a revealed truth and a link to a transcendent order, are not antithetical. The great philosophers are not all atheists and the great theologians do not repudiate reason. However, one should distinguish between Renaissance humanism, closely linked to Christianity, and the humanistic values on which the three religions concur, with a shared respect for reason. Neither Judaism nor Islam can subscribe to the idea of God being a man. In Judaism, God is described in the Torah as being not in heaven but "in your mouth and in your heart" ( Deuteronomy 30). God has thus implanted eternal life in mankind. In Islam, too, God passes down his word upon the heart of the prophet who passes it on in a human voice. But in all three religions one finds the same concern of anchoring mankind and human values in transcendence and of structuring them through rituals. Finally, on top of everything, charity which mends social injustice is a value common to all three monotheisms.

Acts of God - The Unnatural History of Natural Disaster in America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steinberg, Ted

2003-05-01

With the exception of the 9/11 disaster, the top ten most costly catastrophes in U.S. history have all been natural disasters--five of them hurricanes--and all have occurred since 1989. Why this tremendous plague on our homes? In Acts of God , environmental historian Ted Steinberg explains that much of the death and destruction has been well within the realm of human control. Steinberg exposes the fallacy of seeing such calamities as simply random events. Beginning with the 1886 Charleston and 1906 San Francisco earthquakes, and continuing to the present, Steinberg explores the unnatural history of natural calamity, the decisions of business leaders and government officials that have paved the way for the greater losses of life and property, especially among those least able to withstand such blows--America's poor, elderly, and minorities. Seeing nature or God as the primary culprit, Steinberg argues, has helped to hide the fact that some Americans are better protected from the violence of nature than their counterparts lower down the socioeconomic ladder. Sure to provoke discussion, Acts of God is a call to action that must be heard. "A sobering lesson in humanity's vulnerability to extreme climatic events, especially the impoverished farmer and the urban poor."--The Los Angeles Times Book Review

Influence of atorvastatin on the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic activity of repaglinide in rats and rabbits.

PubMed

Sekhar, Makula Chandra; Reddy, P Jaya Chandra

2012-05-01

Dyslipidemia is common in patients with type 2 diabetes. Statins are used as the first choice in treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia. Atorvastatin represents a first-line treatment option, alongside other hydroxyl methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Repaglinide is a short-acting, oral, insulin secretagogue that is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both the category of drugs undergo extensive metabolism with cytochrome enzyme system. This may lead to drug-drug interaction problems with altered repaglinide activity which is cautious. Repaglinide/atorvastatin/atorvastatin + repaglinide were administered orally to normal, diabetic rats, and to normal rabbits. Blood samples were collected at different time intervals and were analyzed for blood glucose by GOD-POD method using commercial glucose kits and repaglinide estimation in plasma by HPLC method. Diabetes was induced by alloxan 100 mg/kg body weight administered by I.P route. In the presence of atorvastatin, repaglinide activity was increased and maintained for longer period in diabetic rats compared with repaglinide matching control. The present study concludes co-administration of atorvastatin was found to improve repaglinide responses significantly in diabetic rats and improved glucose metabolism of atorvastatin played an important role and increased repaglinide levels by competitive CYP 3A4 enzyme inhibition by atorvastatin could be added advantage for anti hyperglycemic activity.

β-cyclodextrin-ferrocene host-guest complex multifunctional labeling triple amplification strategy for electrochemical immunoassay of subgroup J of avian leukosis viruses.

PubMed

Shang, Kun; Wang, Xindong; Sun, Bing; Cheng, Ziqiang; Ai, Shiyun

2013-07-15

A novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor was fabricated for ultrasensitive detection of subgroup J of avian leukosis virus (ALVs-J) by employing β-cyclodextrin-ferrocene (CD-Fc) host-guest complex multifunctional Fe3O4 nanospheres as labels and β-cyclodextrin functional graphene sheets (CD-GS) nanocomposite as sensor platform. The sensitivity was greatly improved based on the triple amplification strategy. Firstly, the CD-GS improved the electron transfer rate as well as increasing the surface area to capture a large amount of primary antibodies (Ab1). Secondly, the CD on the Fe3O4 surface with strong recognition capability could form stable CD-Fc host-guest inclusion complex and provided larger free room for the conjugation of secondary antibodies (Ab2) and glucose oxidase (GOD). Finally, the conjugated GOD exhibited extraordinary electrochemical biocatalysis towards the reduction reaction of Fc(+) by glucose. Under the optimized conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited a wide working range from 10(2.27)-10(3.50) TCID50/mL (TCID50: 50% tissue culture infective dose) with a low detection limit of 10(2.19) TCID50/mL (S/N=3). The selectivity, reproducibility, and stability are acceptable. The assay was evaluated for real avian serum sample, receiving satisfactory results. This new type of triple amplification strategy may provide potential applications for the clinic application. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A multifunctional hemin@metal-organic framework and its application to construct an electrochemical aptasensor for thrombin detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Shunbi; Ye, Jiawei; Yuan, Yali; Chai, Yaqin; Yuan, Ruo

2015-10-01

A new type of multifunctional metal-organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized by encapsulating hemin into the nano-sized Fe-MIL-88 MOFs (hemin@MOFs) and first applied in an electrochemical aptasensor to detect thrombin (TB) with the aid of an enzyme for signal amplification. The gold nanoparticle functionalized hemin@MOFs (Au/hemin@MOFs) have not only simultaneously served as redox mediators and solid electrocatalysts, but have also been utilized as an ideal loading platform to immobilize a large number of biomolecules. In this aptasensor, Au/hemin@MOFs conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOD) and thrombin binding aptamer (TBA II) were used as the secondary aptamer bioconjugates (Au/hemin@MOF-TBA II-GOD bioconjugates), and TB was sandwiched between Au/hemin@MOF-TBA II-GOD bioconjugates and the amino-terminated TBA I which was self-assembled on the gold nanoparticle (AuNP) modified electrode. The GOD could oxidize glucose into gluconic acid accompanied by the generation of H2O2. The generated H2O2 on the electrode surface was further electrocatalyzed by hemin@MOFs to amplify the electrochemical signal of hemin contained in hemin@MOFs. Therefore, the synthesized hemin@MOFs represented a new paradigm for multifunctional materials since it combined three different functions including serving as catalysts, redox mediators and loading platforms within a single material. With such an ingenious design, a wide linear range of 0.0001 nM to 30 nM was acquired with a relatively low detection limit of 0.068 pM for TB detection.A new type of multifunctional metal-organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized by encapsulating hemin into the nano-sized Fe-MIL-88 MOFs (hemin@MOFs) and first applied in an electrochemical aptasensor to detect thrombin (TB) with the aid of an enzyme for signal amplification. The gold nanoparticle functionalized hemin@MOFs (Au/hemin@MOFs) have not only simultaneously served as redox mediators and solid electrocatalysts, but have also been utilized as an ideal loading platform to immobilize a large number of biomolecules. In this aptasensor, Au/hemin@MOFs conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOD) and thrombin binding aptamer (TBA II) were used as the secondary aptamer bioconjugates (Au/hemin@MOF-TBA II-GOD bioconjugates), and TB was sandwiched between Au/hemin@MOF-TBA II-GOD bioconjugates and the amino-terminated TBA I which was self-assembled on the gold nanoparticle (AuNP) modified electrode. The GOD could oxidize glucose into gluconic acid accompanied by the generation of H2O2. The generated H2O2 on the electrode surface was further electrocatalyzed by hemin@MOFs to amplify the electrochemical signal of hemin contained in hemin@MOFs. Therefore, the synthesized hemin@MOFs represented a new paradigm for multifunctional materials since it combined three different functions including serving as catalysts, redox mediators and loading platforms within a single material. With such an ingenious design, a wide linear range of 0.0001 nM to 30 nM was acquired with a relatively low detection limit of 0.068 pM for TB detection. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr04532k

Does iris(in) bring bad news or good news?

PubMed

Buscemi, Silvio; Corleo, Davide; Buscemi, Carola; Giordano, Carla

2017-09-20

Irisin, a novel myokine produced in response to physical activity, promotes white-to-brown fat transdifferentiation. The name irisin referred to the ancient Greek goddess Iris, the messenger who delivered (bad) news from the gods. In mice, it has been demonstrated that irisin plays a key role in metabolic regulation, energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis. New findings from various studies carried out in both animals and humans suggest that irisin might also have other favorable effects, such as increasing bone cortical mass, preventing hepatic lipid accumulation, and improving cognitive functions, thus mediating many exercise-induced health benefits. However, data on the role and function of irisin in humans have prompted controversy, due mostly to the only recent confirmation of the presence of irisin in humans. Another strong limitation to the understanding of irisin mechanisms of action is the lack of knowledge about its receptor, which until now remains unidentified in humans and in animals. This review presents an overall analysis of the history of irisin, its expression, and its involvement in health, especially in humans. Level of Evidence Level V, review.

An electrochemiluminescent biosensor for glucose based on the electrochemiluminescence of luminol on the nafion/glucose oxidase/poly(nickel(II)tetrasulfophthalocyanine)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified electrode.

PubMed

Qiu, Bin; Lin, Zhenyu; Wang, Jian; Chen, Zhihuang; Chen, Jinhua; Chen, Guonan

2009-04-15

A poly(nickel(II) tetrasulfophthalocyanine)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composite modified electrode (polyNiTSPc/MWNTs) was fabricated by electropolymerization of NiTSPc on MWNTs-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The modified electrode was found to be able to greatly improve the emission of luminol electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in a solution containing hydrogen peroxide. Glucose oxidase (GOD) was immobilized on the surface of polyNiTSPc/MWNTs modified GC electrode by Nafion to establish an ECL glucose sensor. Under the optimum conditions, the linear response range of glucose was 1.0x10(-6) to 1.0x10(-4) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 8.0x10(-8) mol L(-1) (defined as the concentration that could be detected at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The ECL sensor showed an outstanding well reproducibility and long-term stability. The established method has been applied to determine the glucose concentrations in real serum samples with satisfactory results.

Combating Terrorism Through Jerusalem

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

before the birth of Jesus Christ and the advent of the Christian religion. Based on historic and religious arguments, both Arabs and Jews claim a right...and living in sin. God sent Jesus to enlighten and bring them back to God. The Jewish believers rejected Jesus ’ message, and the newly formed...rockets or mortars from beside a mosque, school or hospital in the hope of enemy forces using counter battery radar to locate the initial firing

A Phenomenological Study of the Preparation and Career Paths of Academic Deans in Church of God Institutions of Theological Education in Latin America and the Caribbean

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Contreras Flores, Jenniffer

2016-01-01

This study explored the preparation and career paths of academic deans in Church of God (COG) theological institutions located in Latin American and Caribbean. This study used a qualitative research approach and the in-depth interview method for data collection. A group of 14 academic deans that serve in COG theological schools and that…

Newton's Metaphysics of Space as God's Emanative Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jacquette, Dale

2014-09-01

In several of his writings, Isaac Newton proposed that physical space is God's "emanative effect" or "sensorium," revealing something interesting about the metaphysics underlying his mathematical physics. Newton's conjectures depart from Plato and Aristotle's metaphysics of space and from classical and Cambridge Neoplatonism. Present-day philosophical concepts of supervenience clarify Newton's ideas about space and offer a portrait of Newton not only as a mathematical physicist but an independent-minded rationalist philosopher.

Understanding Leadership

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-16

this paper, myths about great men, genetic inheritance, God -given charisma, and so forth, have endured and filled Army stories for years. This paper...leader possesses unique, even God -given,40 traits that somehow separates those who lead 15 and those who do not. This paper thus argues that good...look at other kinds of leaders, such as Albert Einstein . Even though he possessed few of the traits found in FM 6-22 (and therefore would probably not

Process theology's relevance for older survivors of domestic violence.

PubMed

Bowland, Sharon

2011-01-01

Pastoral work with survivors of domestic violence may reveal theological struggles. Understandings of scripture that reinforce a sense of powerlessness and alienation from God may contribute to an impaired relationship and limit resources for healing. One framework for re-imaging a relationship with God is process theology. This framework was applied to a case study for one survivor. The application resulted in a line of inquiry that may assist survivors in their healing process.

[Place and role of the body in Christianity].

PubMed

Verspieren, Patrick

Christianity has always been opposed to dualistic models devaluing the human body. The human person is created in God's image to be resurrected on the last day; his or her body is worthy of respect. It is in the body, or more precisely through it, that the human person is called to glorify and reveal the presence of God, manifested in the love between human beings. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Teotlaqualli: the psychoactive food of the Aztec gods.

PubMed

Elferink, J G

1999-01-01

The Aztecs in pre-Columbian Mexico used not only a large number of single hallucinogens, they also used some combinations. The present article describes reports of the use of teotlaqualli, an unction prepared from ololiuhqui and picietl, with a large number of additions. The work of the chroniclers of pre-Columbian Mexico served as a source of information. The teotlaqualli was offered to the gods, for whom it served as food. The Aztec priests smeared themselves with this unction, to lose fear and to get the appropriate state of mind to serve the Aztec gods. A few cases are reported in which the Aztec emperor or soldiers were smeared with teotlaqualli. It is suggested that the black color of some Aztec deities, as depicted in the codices, was due to anointment with teotlaqualli. In addition to its use for psychoactive purposes, teotlaqualli was used in medicine under the name teopatli.

The Body, Gender, and Biotechnology in Jeanette Winterson's The Stone Gods.

PubMed

Dolezal, Luna

2015-01-01

In this article, I will argue that Winterson's use of satire and the common tropes of science fiction in her 2007 novel The Stone Gods provides an effective and important critique of the gender discrepancies arising in the implementation of aesthetic medical biotechnologies under the logic of neoliberal consumerism. In particular, engaging with aspects of Winterson's fictional landscape in Part 1 of The Stone Gods, I will explore the themes of bodily normalization, the medicalization of youth and appearance, and the notion that biotechnologies such as cosmetic surgery can inculcate happiness through some sort of "psychological cure." Ultimately, I will argue that Winterson's aim in this novel is to raise important questions about where rising standards of enhancement and appearance, implemented through biotechnologies, will take us and, furthermore, to demonstrate that the problems of the human condition require more than the surface fixes offered by consumption, technological innovation, and narcissistic body projects.

The circle of life: A cross-cultural comparison of children's attribution of life-cycle traits.

PubMed

Burdett, Emily R R; Barrett, Justin L

2016-06-01

Do children attribute mortality and other life-cycle traits to all minded beings? The present study examined whether culture influences young children's ability to conceptualize and differentiate human beings from supernatural beings (such as God) in terms of life-cycle traits. Three-to-5-year-old Israeli and British children were questioned whether their mother, a friend, and God would be subject to various life-cycle processes: Birth, death, ageing, existence/longevity, and parentage. Children did not anthropomorphize but differentiated among human and supernatural beings, attributing life-cycle traits to humans, but not to God. Although 3-year-olds differentiated significantly among agents, 5-year-olds attributed correct life-cycle traits more consistently than younger children. The results also indicated some cross-cultural variation in these attributions. Implications for biological conceptual development are discussed. © 2015 The British Psychological Society.

Everything Is Permitted? People Intuitively Judge Immorality as Representative of Atheists

PubMed Central

Gervais, Will M.

2014-01-01

Scientific research yields inconsistent and contradictory evidence relating religion to moral judgments and outcomes, yet most people on earth nonetheless view belief in God (or gods) as central to morality, and many view atheists with suspicion and scorn. To evaluate intuitions regarding a causal link between religion and morality, this paper tested intuitive moral judgments of atheists and other groups. Across five experiments (N = 1,152), American participants intuitively judged a wide variety of immoral acts (e.g., serial murder, consensual incest, necrobestiality, cannibalism) as representative of atheists, but not of eleven other religious, ethnic, and cultural groups. Even atheist participants judged immoral acts as more representative of atheists than of other groups. These findings demonstrate a prevalent intuition that belief in God serves a necessary function in inhibiting immoral conduct, and may help explain persistent negative perceptions of atheists. PMID:24717972

The main anticancer bullets of the Chinese medicinal herb, thunder god vine.

PubMed

Liu, Zi; Ma, Liang; Zhou, Guang-Biao

2011-06-23

The thunder god vine or Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. is a representative Chinese medicinal herb which has been used widely and successfully for centuries in treating inflammatory diseases. More than 100 components have been isolated from this plant, and most of them have potent therapeutic efficacy for a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In the past four decades, the anticancer activities of the extracts from this medicinal herb have attracted intensive attention by researchers worldwide. The diterpenoid epoxide triptolide and the quinone triterpene celastrol are two important bioactive ingredients that show a divergent therapeutic profile and can perturb multiple signal pathways. Both compounds promise to turn traditional medicines into modern drugs. In this review, we will mainly address the anticancer activities and mechanisms of action of these two agents and briefly describe some other antitumor components of the thunder god vine.

Everything is permitted? People intuitively judge immorality as representative of atheists.

PubMed

Gervais, Will M

2014-01-01

Scientific research yields inconsistent and contradictory evidence relating religion to moral judgments and outcomes, yet most people on earth nonetheless view belief in God (or gods) as central to morality, and many view atheists with suspicion and scorn. To evaluate intuitions regarding a causal link between religion and morality, this paper tested intuitive moral judgments of atheists and other groups. Across five experiments (N = 1,152), American participants intuitively judged a wide variety of immoral acts (e.g., serial murder, consensual incest, necrobestiality, cannibalism) as representative of atheists, but not of eleven other religious, ethnic, and cultural groups. Even atheist participants judged immoral acts as more representative of atheists than of other groups. These findings demonstrate a prevalent intuition that belief in God serves a necessary function in inhibiting immoral conduct, and may help explain persistent negative perceptions of atheists.

Subsistence and the evolution of religion.

PubMed

Peoples, Hervey C; Marlowe, Frank W

2012-09-01

We present a cross-cultural analysis showing that the presence of an active or moral High God in societies varies generally along a continuum from lesser to greater technological complexity and subsistence productivity. Foragers are least likely to have High Gods. Horticulturalists and agriculturalists are more likely. Pastoralists are most likely, though they are less easily positioned along the productivity continuum. We suggest that belief in moral High Gods was fostered by emerging leaders in societies dependent on resources that were difficult to manage and defend without group cooperation. These leaders used the concept of a supernatural moral enforcer to manipulate others into cooperating, which resulted in greater productivity. Reproductive success would accrue most to such leaders, but the average reproductive success of all individuals in the society would also increase with greater productivity. Supernatural enforcement of moral codes maintained social cohesion and allowed for further population growth, giving one society an advantage in competition with others.

The Adam and Eve syndrome.

PubMed

Sexton, R O; Maddock, R C

1978-07-01

The concept of divine forgiveness is incomprehensible to most, since it involves principles that defy rational interpretation on the level of human cognition. As a result, individuals, and especially those who present themselves for treatment, find themselves caught up in a repetition of self-judgment and selfpunishment, which is a reenactment of the original sin and the disobedience encountered in the Garden of Eden. It can be pointed out to patients that this continuous, repetitious acting out of the functions of self-judgment and selfpunishment represents the worst sin of all-the original sin in which the power and authority of God are usurped and assumed, resulting eventually in a denial of God along with symptoms that are often incapacitating. When these functions are returned to God, punishment can be expected to be much less severe and intense, because of the nature and characteristics of divine forgiveness.

The implications of the discovery of extra-terrestrial life for religion.

PubMed

Peters, Ted

2011-02-13

This paper asks about the future of religion: (i) Will confirmation of extra-terrestrial intelligence (ETI) cause terrestrial religion to collapse? 'No' is the answer based upon a summary of the 'Peters ETI Religious Crisis Survey'. Then the paper examines four specific challenges to traditional doctrinal belief likely to be raised at the detection of ETI: (ii) What is the scope of God's creation? (iii) What can we expect regarding the moral character of ETI? (iv) Is one earthly incarnation in Jesus Christ enough for the entire cosmos, or should we expect multiple incarnations on multiple planets? (v) Will contact with more advanced ETI diminish human dignity? More than probable contact with extra-terrestrial intelligence will expand the Bible's vision so that all of creation--including the 13.7 billion year history of the universe replete with all of God's creatures--will be seen as the gift of a loving and gracious God.

Quantification of the multi-streaming effect in redshift space distortion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zheng, Yi; Oh, Minji; Zhang, Pengjie, E-mail: yizheng@kasi.re.kr, E-mail: zhangpj@sjtu.edu.cn, E-mail: minjioh@kasi.re.kr

Both multi-streaming (random motion) and bulk motion cause the Finger-of-God (FoG) effect in redshift space distortion (RSD). We apply a direct measurement of the multi-streaming effect in RSD from simulations, proving that it induces an additional, non-negligible FoG damping to the redshift space density power spectrum. We show that, including the multi-streaming effect, the RSD modelling is significantly improved. We also provide a theoretical explanation based on halo model for the measured effect, including a fitting formula with one to two free parameters. The improved understanding of FoG helps break the f σ{sub 8}−σ {sub v} degeneracy in RSD cosmology,more » and has the potential of significantly improving cosmological constraints.« less

Younger African American Adults' Use of Religious Songs to Manage Stressful Life Events.

PubMed

Hamilton, Jill B; Stewart, Jennifer M; Thompson, Keitra; Alvarez, Carmen; Best, Nakia C; Amoah, Kevin; Carlton-LaNey, Iris B

2017-02-01

The aim of this study was to explore the use of religious songs in response to stressful life events among young African American adults. Fifty-five young African American adults aged 18-49 participated in a qualitative study involving criterion sampling and open-ended interviews. Data analysis included content analysis and descriptive statistics. Stressful life events were related to work or school; caregiving and death of a family member; and relationships. Religious songs represented five categories: Instructive, Communication with God, Thanksgiving and Praise, Memory of Forefathers, and Life after Death. The tradition of using religious songs in response to stressful life events continues among these young adults. Incorporating religious songs into health-promoting interventions might enhance their cultural relevance to this population.

On legalizing abortion: an open letter from Mexico's Christian Women's Collective.

PubMed

1993-01-01

In Mexico City the Christian Women's Collective's open letter to the Catholic Church is a response to the Catholic bishops' threats of excommunication of lawmakers in Chiapas State, Mexico, who may have approved a bill legalizing abortion. The bishops maintain that God is a just and merciful God who loves women and suffers with them. The Collective cannot ignore the 2 million women, 1.72 million of whom are Catholics, who undergo illegal abortions annually in Mexico. They tend to be poor and in a union and to have large families. The Collective does not advocate abortion, but recognized that almost all women who have had an abortion were not at all happy to do so. Instead they suffer depression, solitude, shame, and pain. In addition to the moral punishment, these women are at high risk of dying (150,000-200,000 women die annually from illegal abortions). Economic circumstances, health problems, rape, and abandonment threaten their lives, so abortion is a last resort. The Collective maintains that the Catholic Church must understand that God empathized with women's pain, and in sending Jesus, has become one with humanity. The Church must seriously consider this sorrowful and very complex situation and reflect on the circumstances leading to abortion rather than condemn it. It must realize that by choosing abortion women want to avoid harm in those cases where pregnancy could cause death, avoid injustice when rape caused the pregnancy, or avoid giving birth to an infant that society or family cannot sustain. The present adverse and unjust situation contributing to unwanted pregnancy and illegal abortion is a social sin. The Catholic Church needs to build a new pastoral program with women at its center emphasizing sexuality, maternity, and contraception. Indeed, confronting the true social, moral, and political causes of abortion, and avoiding punishment, incarceration, or excommunication will resolve the issue.

The ’Islamic State’ Crisis and U.S. Policy

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-22

U.S. leaders that “the mujahidin have set out to chase the affiliates of your armies that have fled.... You will see them in your own country, God ...just as it will not help you in Iraq. Soon, you will be in direct conflict— God permitting— against your will.”4 English language propaganda and...and other Iraqi minorities, particularly the Yazidis. The Yazidis are mostly Kurdish speaking and practice a mix of ancient religions, including

Active Control of Forward Swept Wings with Divergence and Flutter Aeroelastic Instabilities.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-01

instability) the range of k needed for the Padd fitting begins at zero and increases until it encompasses the expected flutter frequency. At this...34But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who will give it to him; because God gives generously and graciously to all." (James 1:5) This...C-11 i-" \\*i List of Tables Table Page 1 Generalized Aerodynamic Influence Coefficient Comparisons For The Wing

Exploring spirituality in Iranian healthy elderly people: A qualitative content analysis

PubMed Central

Rahimi, Abolfazl; Anoosheh, Monireh; Ahmadi, Fazlollah; Foroughan, Mahshid

2013-01-01

Background: Spirituality is recognized as a personally important matter to the elderly, and there are evidences of its impact on their health. The aim of this study was to explore the concept of spirituality from the perspectives of Iranian healthy elderly individuals. Materials and Methods: A conventional qualitative content analysis of carried out with 21 healthy elderly people from both male and female genders were chosen using a purposive sampling method in Tehran in 2010-2011. Data collection was done through semi structured interviews. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the participants’ experiences and perceptions on spirituality, using a central question ‘what characterizes the spirituality in the Iranian healthy elderly people?’ Results: The following categories emerged from the data analysis: (1) Spiritual health, with four sub categories including saying prayer as a calming factor; beneficence as a way to God; loss of psychological and spiritual support; faith as a way to happiness; (2) spiritual beliefs, with three sub categories including seeking help from God in difficulties; God's power over life and death; doing good deeds is the God's will; and (3) religious practice with three sub categories including saying prayer; reading Quran; and going to mosque, religious ceremonies and pilgrimage. Conclusions: In this study was found that spirituality was a fundamental element in elderly individuals’ lives that help them to adapt with daily living conditions. PMID:23983748

Exploring spirituality in Iranian healthy elderly people: A qualitative content analysis.

PubMed

Rahimi, Abolfazl; Anoosheh, Monireh; Ahmadi, Fazlollah; Foroughan, Mahshid

2013-03-01

Spirituality is recognized as a personally important matter to the elderly, and there are evidences of its impact on their health. The aim of this study was to explore the concept of spirituality from the perspectives of Iranian healthy elderly individuals. A conventional qualitative content analysis of carried out with 21 healthy elderly people from both male and female genders were chosen using a purposive sampling method in Tehran in 2010-2011. Data collection was done through semi structured interviews. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the participants' experiences and perceptions on spirituality, using a central question 'what characterizes the spirituality in the Iranian healthy elderly people?' THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES EMERGED FROM THE DATA ANALYSIS: (1) Spiritual health, with four sub categories including saying prayer as a calming factor; beneficence as a way to God; loss of psychological and spiritual support; faith as a way to happiness; (2) spiritual beliefs, with three sub categories including seeking help from God in difficulties; God's power over life and death; doing good deeds is the God's will; and (3) religious practice with three sub categories including saying prayer; reading Quran; and going to mosque, religious ceremonies and pilgrimage. In this study was found that spirituality was a fundamental element in elderly individuals' lives that help them to adapt with daily living conditions.

The Big Bang, Genesis, and Knocking on Heaven's Door

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gentry, Robert

2012-03-01

Michael Shermer recently upped the ante in the big bang-Genesis controversy by citing Lisa Randall's provocative claim (Science 334, 762 (2011)) that ``it is inconceivable that God could continue to intervene without introducing a material trace of his actions.'' So does Randall's and Shermer's agreement that no such evidence exists disprove God's existence? Not in my view because my 1970s Science, Nature and ARNS publications, and my article in the 1982 AAAS Western Division's Symposium Proceedings, Evolution Confronts Creation, all contain validation of God's existence via discovery of His Fingerprints of Creation and falsification of the big bang and geological evolution. These results came to wide public/scientific attention in my testimony at the 1981 Arkansas creation/evolution trial. There ACLU witness G Brent Dalrymple from the USGS -- and 2005 Medal of Science recipient from President Bush -- admitted I had discovered a tiny mystery (primordial polonium radiohalos) in granite rocks that indicated their almost instant creation. As a follow-up in 1992 and 1995 he sent out SOS letters to the entire AGU membership that the polonium halo evidence for fiat creation still existed and that someone needed to urgently find a naturalistic explanation for them. Is the physics community guilty of a Watergate-type cover-up of this discovery of God's existence and falsification of the big bang? For the answer see www.halos.tv.

Biochemical and Thermodynamical Characterization of Glucose Oxidase, Invertase, and Alkaline Phosphatase Secreted by Antarctic Yeasts.

PubMed

Yuivar, Yassef; Barahona, Salvador; Alcaíno, Jennifer; Cifuentes, Víctor; Baeza, Marcelo

2017-01-01

The use of enzymes in diverse industries has increased substantially over past decades, creating a well-established and growing global market. Currently, the use of enzymes that work better at ambient or lower temperatures in order to decrease the temperatures of production processes is desirable. There is thus a continuous search for enzymes in cold environments, especially from microbial sources, with amylases, proteases, lipases and, cellulases being the most studied. Other enzymes, such as glucose oxidase (GOD), invertase (Inv), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), also have a high potential for application, but have been much less studied in microorganisms living in cold-environments. In this work, secretion of these three enzymes by Antarctic yeast species was analyzed, and five, three, and five species were found to produce extracellular GOD, Inv, and ALP, respectively. The major producers of GOD, Inv, and ALP were Goffeauzyma gastrica, Wickerhamomyces anomalus , and Dioszegia sp., respectively, from which the enzymes were purified and characterized. Contrary to what was expected, the highest GOD and Inv activities were found at 64°C and 60°C, respectively, and at 47°C for ALP. However, the three enzymes maintained a significant percentage of activity at lower temperatures, especially ALP that kept a 67 and 43% of activity at 10°C and 4°C, respectively.

A proposal for teaching undergraduate chemistry students carbohydrate biochemistry by problem-based learning activities.

PubMed

Figueira, Angela C M; Rocha, Joao B T

2014-01-01

This article presents a problem-based learning (PBL) approach to teaching elementary biochemistry to undergraduate students. The activity was based on "the foods we eat." It was used to engage students' curiosity and to initiate learning about a subject that could be used by the future teachers in the high school. The experimental activities (8-12 hours) were related to the questions: (i) what does the Benedict's Reagent detect? and (ii) What is determined by glucose oxidase (GOD)? We also ask the students to compare the results with those obtained with the Lugol reagent, which detects starch. Usually, students inferred that the Benedict reagent detects reducing sugars, while GOD could be used to detect glucose. However, in GOD assay, an open question was left, because the results could be due to contamination of the sugars (particularly galactose) with glucose. Though not stressed, GOD does not oxidize the carbohydrates tested and all the positive results are due to contamination. The activities presented here can be easily done in the high school, because they are simple and non-expensive. Furthermore, in the case of Benedict reaction, it is possible to follow the reduction of Cu (II) "macroscopically" by following the formation of the brick-orange precipitate. The concrete observation of a chemical reaction can motivate and facilitate students understanding about chemistry of life. Copyright © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Biochemical and Thermodynamical Characterization of Glucose Oxidase, Invertase, and Alkaline Phosphatase Secreted by Antarctic Yeasts

PubMed Central

Yuivar, Yassef; Barahona, Salvador; Alcaíno, Jennifer; Cifuentes, Víctor; Baeza, Marcelo

2017-01-01

The use of enzymes in diverse industries has increased substantially over past decades, creating a well-established and growing global market. Currently, the use of enzymes that work better at ambient or lower temperatures in order to decrease the temperatures of production processes is desirable. There is thus a continuous search for enzymes in cold environments, especially from microbial sources, with amylases, proteases, lipases and, cellulases being the most studied. Other enzymes, such as glucose oxidase (GOD), invertase (Inv), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), also have a high potential for application, but have been much less studied in microorganisms living in cold-environments. In this work, secretion of these three enzymes by Antarctic yeast species was analyzed, and five, three, and five species were found to produce extracellular GOD, Inv, and ALP, respectively. The major producers of GOD, Inv, and ALP were Goffeauzyma gastrica, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, and Dioszegia sp., respectively, from which the enzymes were purified and characterized. Contrary to what was expected, the highest GOD and Inv activities were found at 64°C and 60°C, respectively, and at 47°C for ALP. However, the three enzymes maintained a significant percentage of activity at lower temperatures, especially ALP that kept a 67 and 43% of activity at 10°C and 4°C, respectively. PMID:29312954

The "balance of nature"-evolution of a Panchreston.

PubMed

Simberloff, Daniel

2014-10-01

The earliest concept of a balance of nature in Western thought saw it as being provided by gods but requiring human aid or encouragement for its maintenance. With the rise of Greek natural philosophy, emphasis shifted to traits gods endowed species with at the outset, rather than human actions, as key to maintaining the balance. The dominance of a constantly intervening God in the Middle Ages lessened interest in the inherent features of nature that would contribute to balance, but the Reformation led to renewed focus on such features, particularly traits of species that would maintain all of them but permit none to dominate nature. Darwin conceived of nature in balance, and his emphasis on competition and frequent tales of felicitous species interactions supported the idea of a balance of nature. But Darwin radically changed its underlying basis, from God to natural selection. Wallace was perhaps the first to challenge the very notion of a balance of nature as an undefined entity whose accuracy could not be tested. His skepticism was taken up again in the 20th century, culminating in a widespread rejection of the idea of a balance of nature by academic ecologists, who focus rather on a dynamic, often chaotic nature buffeted by constant disturbances. The balance-of-nature metaphor, however, lives on in large segments of the public, representing a fragile aspect of nature and biodiversity that it is our duty to protect.

Farsi version of the multidimensional health locus of control and God locus of health control scales: validity and reliability study among Iranian women with a family history of breast cancer.

PubMed

Hashemian, Masoumeh; Aminshokravi, Farkhonde; Hidarnia, Alireza; Lamyian, Minoor; Hassanpour, Kazem; Akaberi, Arash; Moshki, Mahdi

2014-09-01

To determine the Persian version's reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control and God Health Locus of Control scales among women with family history of breast cancer. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Sabzevar, Iran, in 2012. It randomly selected women with family members affected by breast cancer. Predesigned questionnaires were completed through interviews. Content and face validity was evaluated using the opinions of a panel of experts, and construct validity was confirmed by applying confirmatory factor analysis.The instruments' reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. There were 200 women in the study with their age ranging between 18 and 69 years and revealed the following; root mean square error of approximation for Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale = 0.013, and God Locus of Health Control Scale = 0.077; comparative fit index = 0.999, 0.998; incremental fit index = 0.999, 0.998;Tucker-Lewis fit index = 0.998, 0.998; and normed fit index = 0.983, 0.997 respectively. Cronbach's alpha was 0.61 for Internal Health Locus of Control, 0.8 for Chance Health Locus of Control, 0.68 for Power Health Locus of Control and 0.9 for God Locus Health Control. The Persian version of the subscales supported the main version.

Is our brain hardwired to produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive God? A systematic review on the role of the brain in mediating religious experience.

PubMed

Fingelkurts, Alexander A; Fingelkurts, Andrew A

2009-11-01

To figure out whether the main empirical question "Is our brain hardwired to believe in and produce God, or is our brain hardwired to perceive and experience God?" is answered, this paper presents systematic critical review of the positions, arguments and controversies of each side of the neuroscientific-theological debate and puts forward an integral view where the human is seen as a psycho-somatic entity consisting of the multiple levels and dimensions of human existence (physical, biological, psychological, and spiritual reality), allowing consciousness/mind/spirit and brain/body/matter to be seen as different sides of the same phenomenon, neither reducible to each other. The emergence of a form of causation distinctive from physics where mental/conscious agency (a) is neither identical with nor reducible to brain processes and (b) does exert "downward" causal influence on brain plasticity and the various levels of brain functioning is discussed. This manuscript also discusses the role of cognitive processes in religious experience and outlines what can neuroscience offer for study of religious experience and what is the significance of this study for neuroscience, clinicians, theology and philosophy. A methodological shift from "explanation" to "description" of religious experience is suggested. This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion between theologians, cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists.

God and the Welfare State - Substitutes or Complements? An Experimental Test of the Effect of Belief in God's Control

PubMed Central

Be’ery, Gilad; Ben-Nun Bloom, Pazit

2015-01-01

Belief in God’s control of the world is common to many of the world’s religions, but there are conflicting predictions regarding its role in shaping attitudes toward the welfare state. While the devout are expected to support pro-social values like helping others, and thus might be supportive of the welfare state, the possibility of taking action is undermined by the belief in God’s absolute control over world affairs and in a morally perfect providence, who is responsible for the fates of individuals. As the literature provides mixed results on this question, this study examines the role of belief in God’s control on welfare attitudes using three priming experiments and two priming tasks, carried out with a design that is both cross-cultural (US vs. Israel) and cross-religious tradition (Judaism vs. Catholicism). We find evidence that, largely, belief in God’s control increases support for income redistribution among Israeli Jews (study 1), American Jews (study 2), and American Catholics (study 3). The findings suggest that the traditional and common political gap between the economic left and the religious, based on the evaluation that religious beliefs lead to conservative economic preferences, may be overstated. PMID:26061050

Duginavi and Oxo

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-01

This image taken by NASA's Dawn spacecraft shows Duginavi Crater, a large (96 miles, 155 kilometers in diameter) crater on Ceres. Duginavi's degraded rim barely stands out in this picture, which indicates this feature is very old. There are several factors that alter and eventually erase the shapes of geological features on bodies that do not have an atmosphere. These include gravity, which is responsible for landslides and scarps. The formation of newer craters, and the material that gets ejected in the process, has smoothed over craters such as Duginavi. Duginavi hosts the small Oxo Crater, recognizable by its bright rim and ejecta. Oxo is the first site at which ice was discovered on Ceres. Duginavi is named for an agriculture god of the Kogi people of northern Colombia. Oxo bears the name of the god of agriculture in Afro-Brazilian beliefs of Yoruba derivation. These features can be found on the global map of Ceres. Dawn took this image on October 8, 2015, from its high-altitude mapping orbit, at a distance of about 915 miles (1,470 kilometers) above the surface. It has a resolution of 450 feet (140 meters) per pixel. The center coordinates of this image are 39 degrees north latitude, 8 degrees east longitude. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21912

Phloretin exerts hypoglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and improves insulin resistance in vitro.

PubMed

Shen, Xin; Zhou, Nan; Mi, Le; Hu, Zishuo; Wang, Libin; Liu, Xueying; Zhang, Shengyong

2017-01-01

The present study investigated the possible antiobesity and hypoglycemic effects of phloretin (Ph). In an attempt to discover the hypoglycemic effect and potential mechanism of Ph, we used the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and (L6) myotubes. Daily oral treatment with Ph for 4 weeks significantly ( P <0.05) reduced postprandial blood glucose and improved islet injury and lipid metabolism. Glucose consumption and glucose tolerance were improved by Ph via GOD-POD method. Western blot results revealed that the expression of Akt, PI3K, IRS-1, and GLUT4 were upregulated in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetes (T2D) rats and in L6 myotubes by Ph. The immunofluorescence studies confirmed that Ph improved the translocation of GLUT4 in L6 myotubes. Ph exerted hypoglycemic effects in vivo and in vitro, hence it may play an important role in the management of diabetes.

"In those days the distances were all very different": alienation in Ernest Hemingway's "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen".

PubMed

Levitzke, Shannon Whitlock

2010-01-01

This essay explores the significance of the opening paragraph of Hemingway's "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen," examining the perplexing but necessary comparison of two seemingly unrelated locales, Kansas City and Constantinople. Early drafts of the story include substantively different introductions. In the published story, however, Hemingway's reliance on a barren physical topography establishes the emotional climate, uniting two distant cities to suggest that the impoverishment of modern urban life is the root cause of the story's tragedy.

The Resurgence of Al-Qaeda in Syria and Iraq

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-01

20103 in Egypt , Libya, and Tuni- sia means all those states are now facing domestic ter- rorism and sectarian violence. In addition, the gradual...through institutions to (determine) legislation, where- as in Islam God is the sovereign’. But it adds: ‘This does not mean that we want an oppressive...see the results. Al Nusrah Front’s new recruits take an oath of alle- giance or al-Bay’ah. The religious nature of this oath, swearing before God to

Would Tarzan believe in God? Conditions for the emergence of religious belief.

PubMed

Banerjee, Konika; Bloom, Paul

2013-01-01

Would someone raised without exposure to religious views nonetheless come to believe in the existence of God, an afterlife, and the intentional creation of humans and other animals? Many scholars would answer yes, proposing that universal cognitive biases generate religious ideas anew within each individual mind. Drawing on evidence from developmental psychology, we argue here that the answer is no: children lack spontaneous theistic views and the emergence of religion is crucially dependent on culture. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

God's Thoughts: Practical Steps Toward a Theory of Everything

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lincoln, Don

2017-04-01

In 1922, Einstein was speaking to young Esther Salaman during a long walk; she was talking of her dreams and goals and he was sharing some of his thoughts. Among thoughts of travel, he described his core guiding intellectual principle when he said, "I want to know how God created this world [wie sich Gott die Welt beschaffen]. I'm not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts; the rest are just details."

The anthropology of Carl Jung: Implications for pastoral care.

PubMed

Hunt-Meeks, S

1983-09-01

This article examines the basic tenets of Carl Jung's anthropology, including intrapsychic structure, relationships, society, and the process of individuation. It then turns to his ideas about God and religion. Jung builds his understanding of God from his work in psychology, and because of that method, there are several major problems with his theologizing. Nevertheless, his insights are extremely valuable to the field of pastoral care, and ministers would do very well to appreciate his contribution, though always with a critical eye to its limitation.

Prayer practices among young adults.

PubMed

Nance, Jennifer G; Quinn Griffin, Mary T; McNulty, Sister Rita; Fitzpatrick, Joyce J

2010-01-01

Prayer is the most common complementary and alternative intervention used by most Americans. Yet, little is known about the prayer practices of young adults. In this exploratory study, 4 types of prayer practices of 62 young adults (21-30 years old) are described. The 4 different categories of prayer were: contemplative-meditative, ritualistic, petitionary, and colloquial. Participants most often used colloquial prayer practice, that is, asking God to provide guidance or talking to God in their own words. Recommendations for future research are included.

ETINDE. Improving the role of a methodological approach and ancillary ethnoarchaeological data application for place vulnerability and resilience to a multi-hazard environment: Mt. Cameroon volcano case study [MIA-VITA project -FP7-ENV-2007-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilaria Pannaccione Apa, Maria; Kouokam, Emmanuel; Mbe Akoko, Robert; Peppoloni, Silvia; Fabrizia Buongiorno, Maria; Thierry, Pierre

2013-04-01

The FP7 MIA-VITA [Mitigate and assess risk from volcanic impact on terrain and human activities] project has been designed to address multidisciplinary aspects of volcanic threat assessment and management from prevention to crisis management recovery. In the socio-economic analysis carried out at Mt. Cameroon Bakweri and Bakossi ethnic groups, ancillary ethnoarchaeological information has been included to point out the cultural interaction between the volcano and its residents. In 2009-2011, ethnoanthropological surveys and interviews for data collection were carried out at Buea, Limbe, West Coast, Tiko and Muyuka sub-divisions adjacent to Mt. Cameroon. One of the outstanding, results from the Bakweri and Bakossi cultural tradition study: natural hazards are managed and produced by supernatural forces, as: Epasa Moto, God of the Mountain (Mt. Cameroon volcano) and Nyango Na Nwana , Goddess of the sea (Gulf of Guinea). In the case of Mount Cameroon, people may seek the spirit or gods of the mountain before farming, hunting and most recently the undertaking of the Mount Cameroon annual race are done. The spirit of this mountain must be seek to avert or stop a volcanic eruption because the eruption is attributed to the anger of the spirit. Among the Northern Bakweri, the association of spirits with the mountain could also be explained in terms of the importance of the mountain to the people. Most of their farming and hunting is done on the Mountain. Some forest products, for instance, wood for building and furniture is obtained from the forest of the mountain; this implies that the people rely on the Mountain for food, game and architecture/furniture etc. In addition, the eruption of the mountain is something which affects the people. It does not only destroy property, it frustrates people and takes away human lives when it occurs. Because of this economic importance of the Mountain and its unexpected and unwanted eruption, the tendency is to believe that it has some supernatural force dwelling in it: the god EPASA MOTO. Since social group is forever indebted to the gods because of his deceptive behavior, it must remedy to calm the anger of the gods. Rites are managed by traditional chiefs in the name of the group making offerings and sacrifices, which preciousness is directly proportional to the request; The perception of vulnerability to natural disasters is mitigated by ritual practices devoted to keep under control the Genius Loci (EPASA MOTO) negative reactions as eruptions, tidal waves, etc.. According with landscape evolution, the present work will describe the anthropogenic remodeled space and the related Vulnerability Hazards-of-Place Model elaborated by S. Cutter in 1996. Results will suggest a good approach to local geo-hazards management through traditional methods. Principles of Geoethics are important tools in managing natural hazards in different cultural contexts. A geoethical approach in risk management guarantees the respect for beliefs and cultural traditions and the development of strategies respectful of values and sensibilities of the involved populations.

Meanings of Health for Iranian Diabetic Patients: A qualitative study

PubMed Central

Moridi, Golrokh; Valiee, Sina; Nasrabadi, Alireza Nikbakht; Nasab, Golnaz Esmaeil; Khaledi, Shahnaz

2016-01-01

Introduction Health is an exclusive and subjective phenomenon, and one of the most important situations with regard to perception of health, arises when patients suffer from a chronic disease. This study was conducted within the qualitative research framework and aimed to explore the meanings of health as perceived by a group of Iranian diabetic patients. Methods A descriptive qualitative analysis design was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 participants among diabetic patients, who were admitted to the diabetes care centre of Tohid Hospital of the Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran during a ten-month period in 2014. Interviews were transcribed and analysed through conventional content analysis. Results Based on the findings of the study, three major health-related themes emerged: 1) the syndrome of the healthy body and the happy heart (physical well-being vivacity, satisfaction, and calmness of the mind), 2) life without compulsory limitations (lack of dietary limitations, No activity limitations, lack of social limitations), and 3) exalted spirituality (satisfying self and others, trusting God, remembering God). Conclusion Health care providers should consider the meaning of health in special groups, chiefly in patients with chronic diseases. It facilitates the development of appropriate programmes to improve desirable health levels among diabetic patients. PMID:27790342

[The dream in the medicine of Asklepieia].

PubMed

Angeletti, L R

1992-01-01

The passage between theurgical to secular rational medicine in the ancient Greece is due to the naturalistic philosophers of the Ionia and the Hippocratic school, between 5th-4th century. However, we have a testimony that both theurgical and rational medicine coexisted in the temples of healing deified gods of medicine, i.e. Asklepion, Amphiaraos, etc. In fact, inscriptions, lat. sanationes, found in few Asklepíeia, i.e. Epidaurus, Lebena, Rome Tiberina Island, show clinical cases solved by the god. The dream is the bridge between the sick persons and the healer god, who acts during the incubation (incubatio) of semisleeping patients in a forbidden room (the [Greek]), near the temple. On the other hand, the dream in the Hippocratic medicine is useful for diagnostic purpose, other than for therapy. An extraordinary case of therapy for psychoneurotic diseases, such as melancholy or hypochondria, was the example of Aelius Aristides, who described his twelve-year experience of dreams related to Asklepiós in the Asklepieion of Pergamon.

"Modern medical science and the divine providence of god": rethinking the place of religion in postwar U.S. medical history.

PubMed

Golden, Janet; Abel, Emily K

2014-10-01

Drawing on a large cache of letters to John and Frances Gunther after the death of their son as well as memoirs and fiction by bereaved parents, this essay challenges the assumptions of secularization that infuse histories of twentieth-century American medicine. Many parents who experienced the death of children during the postwar period relied heavily on religion to help make sense of the tragedies medicine could not prevent. Parental accounts included expression of belief in divine intervention and the power of prayer, gratitude for God's role in minimizing suffering, confidence in the existence of an afterlife, and acceptance of the will of God. Historians seeking to understand how parents and families understood both the delivery of medical care and the cultural authority of medical science must integrate an understanding of religious experiences and faith into their work. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Religion, finding interests in life, and change in self-esteem during late life.

PubMed

Krause, Neal; Hayward, R David

2014-05-01

Research indicates that greater involvement in activities is essential for successful aging. The purpose of the current study is to examine a construct that motivates involvement in activities-finding interests in life. In the process, we also show how involvement in religion may help promote interests. In order to examine these issues, a conceptual model is tested that contains the following core hypotheses: (1) older people who go to church more often will be more likely to have stronger God-mediated control beliefs (i.e., the belief that God works together with people to resolve problems and reach desired goals); (2) older adults with a stronger sense of God-mediated control will be more likely to find things in life that are interesting; and (3) older individuals with more interests experience a greater sense of self-worth over time. Findings from a nationwide survey provide support for the key relationships described above. © The Author(s) 2013.