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This digital document is an article from Human Biology, published by Thomson Gale on February 1, 2005. The length of the article is 3488 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: KEY WORDS: HEPATIC LIPASE GENE, LIPC, HDL CHOLESTEROL, LDL CHOLESTEROL, LIPOPROTEIN DIAMETER, GENOME-WIDE SCREEN, HERITABILITY.

Citation Details
Title: Joint linkage and association analysis of the hepatic lipase promoter polymorphism and lipoprotein size phenotypes.
Author: Laura Almasy
Publication: Human Biology (Magazine/Journal)
Date: February 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 77Issue: 1Page: 17(9)

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This digital document is an article from Human Biology, published by Wayne State University Press on October 1, 2003. The length of the article is 4306 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: KEY WORDS: GENOME SCAN, QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI, MINORITY POPULATIONS, COMMON COMPLEX DISEASES

Citation Details
Title: The genetics of obesity in Mexican Americans: the evidence from genome scanning efforts in the San Antonio Family Heart Study.
Author: Anthony G. Comuzzie
Publication: Human Biology (Refereed)
Date: October 1, 2003
Publisher: Wayne State University Press
Volume: 75Issue: 5Page: 635(12)

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This guide provides basic advice on the use and development of model operation and maintenance agreements for rainwater and greywater use systems together with simple guidance on their incorporation into developments. The book identifies maintenance considerations and provides an outline of ways in which the long-term responsibilities for the maintenance of the rainwater and greywater use systems can be allocated. Provided with the book is a model agreement booklet and a CD containing an electronic file of the model agreement. ... Read more

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"High and solemn mountains guard Riouperoux, - Small untidy village where the river drives a mill: Frail as wood anemones, white and frail were you, And drooping a little, like the slender daffodil. " ... Read more

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This singular volume offers a comprehensive survey of the prospects and critical issues for the Christian world mission; the book's essays, written by various mission experts, demonstrate both depth and breadth of perspective. The essays in Part 1 consider the major elements in the church spectrum; Part II looks at the world by region; Part III treats the foundational disciplines of mission; and Part IV focuses on special challenges such as women in mission, the poor and mission, urban mission, the need for dialogue with other faiths, and church-state relations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Collection of Essays on Missions
This is a good collection of essays on Missions from a variety of perspectives.It's a great overview and introduction on what is going on in terms of missions work in the mid- to late- 1990s.It's not all theoretical (as there is some practical stuff), but gives a lot of history and context, as well as a variety of places for missions, and some missiological issues.It is written from a varied Christian background.

The book is divided into 4 sections, and every essay is approximately 10-15 pages:

Section 1:Christian Families in mission.Four essays are presented, from Evangelical Missions, Conciliar Missions (i.e., the Ecumenical movement within Protestantism, usually associated with liberal Protestantism, and the World Council of Churches), Roman Catholic Missions, and Pentecostal&Charismatic Missions.Each of these essays gives some background of history, assumptions, theology and missiological background (e.g., for the Roman Catholics, Vatican II plays a very strong influence, and is discussed).

Section 2:Christian Mission by Region. This is a very practical section, discussing missions in various parts of the world.The areas covered are Southern Asia, the former USSR (i.e., the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)), Africa, North America, Oceania, Latin America, Northeast Asia, Europe, and Middle East.

Section 3:Foundational Disciplines of Mission. This chapter is on more of the theory and theology behind missions, and how to interact with other cultures (and their religions).Essays in this section include one by Bosch on "Reflections on Biblical Models of Mission," and others on Mission Theology, Spiritual Formation for Mission (written by Catholics, so they emphasize dialogue, mentoring, developmental psychology understanding of peoples, and understanding culture, religion, tradition, rather than the Protestant approach of in spiritual formation of piety, conviction based upon Scripture, and then Contextualization through Incarnation), Mission Strategies (mostly an essay about applying strategies), Contextualization in Mission, (towards) Forming Indigenous Theologies, and Popular Religions.

The final section, section 4 presents special challenges in mission:The teaching of missions, women in mission, mission and the Problem of Affluence, Mission and Social Justice:An American Dilemma, Urban Mission, Christian Dialogues with Other Faiths, Christian-Muslim Relations, Church-State Relationship and Mission, and then some stuff about Gerald H. Anderson.

I think, if one was looking for a book to be introduced to what's going on in missions and some different views on this topic, this would be a good book.It doesn't strike me as the type that has a timeless classic feel to it (unlike Bosch's book, Transforming Mission) or Stott's book, Christian Mission.

Nonetheless, it's good supplement to hearing first-hand stories on missions. ... Read more

Product Description
Since the late nineteenth century Darwinism has reigned supreme. But in the last ten years, with the advent of books by experts like Phillip Johnson (Darwin on Trial), Michael Behe (Darwin's Black Box), and William Dembski (The Design Inference), an opening has been wedged into the bedrock of evolutionary theory.

Signs of Intelligence: Understanding Intelligent Design presents fourteen essays by the main players (including Johnson, Behe, and Dembski) in the intelligent design movement. In clear and accessible language, with diagrams and relevant quotations, it provides an introductory overview of the argument for intelligent design. From fossil records to the irreducible complexity of biochemistry, the logical and evidential fallacies of evolutionary theory are exposed.

This brief and accessible book serves as an unsurpassed guide and introduction to the key arguments of a movement that may yet change the face and restore the soul of modern science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

An eclectic but rigorous primer for Intelligent Design theory
I'm not a professional scientist but I've just finished reading these essay series. And despite the book's frequent venture into scholastic jargon, it left me thirsting for more of the implications of this theory that was once only taken for granted before Darwin introduced his Idea. I will read more on this. We truly live in interesting times. But I'm not so sure about the inclusion of Dr. Reynold's "Getting God a Pass" (chapter VI) in this otherwise eclectic but rigorous primer for Intelligent Design theory: I propose that statements about the popular understanding of the soul and the Athanasian perception of the historical Jesus be subjected, too, under the scrutiny of Occam's Razor, at least, with the Scriptures, not with Tradition, in mind. After all, ID passes the Razor with flying colors. I fancy myself a theistic naturalist, but in a different sense than defined by Dr. Reynolds: I believe in the Bible's divine inspiration but demand for basis of ritualistic systems and beliefs seemingly derived from it.

Anyways, I digress: I sincerely recommend Dr. Bradley's "The 'Just So' Universe" (chapter XII) in conjunction with Dr. Gordon's illuminating of the absurd Cosmological Natural Selection (chapter XIV). I aim to read Dr. Dembski's "The Design Inference" to grasp his "explanatory filter" of answering if a thing is designed or not. With the advent of our understanding of the cell's complex information system as presented by Dr. Meyer (chapter VIII), I say with Philip Gold: "God plays scrabble." Read the book twice and join in challenging Darwin without blushing.

Good read, but with many bad assumptions
This book is well written in clear, concise language. I recognized only three names, but they are big ones in the intelligent design world, Michael Behe, Steven Meyer and William Dembski.

The book is a series of ID (intelligent design) essays, each addressing points of ID. Why it is a science, why evolution doesn't explain XYZ or why God should be allowed to play in the biology field.

Dembski's intro ended up being one of the more interesting pieces. He successfully (I think) dismissed the argument "But the design is really bad, what kind of designer would do that?" It is a theological argument, and not a scientific argument. Besides, bad design doesn't mean it wasn't designed. He has written himself into a corner though, since the statement "there is a designer" is almost certainly a theological argument and not a scientific one.

I most looked forward to Dembski's "A Primer on the Discernment of intelligent design", since I haven't heard him talk or read anything by him. I thought he had the best chance of making an impact with his design inference, a mathematical formulation that is supposed to be able to tell design from non-design. I was genuinely interested to hear his thinking on that. As it turns out, I am still wondering, as he did nothing to explain it beyond some definitions and hand waving. He just defined a bunch of terms, all of which I understood, but with conclusions that were not demonstrated at all.

While he compares his design inference to forensics, SETI's detection of intelligence and cryptography, what he missed is that all of those things compare a known to another known. eg/ Signals from space versus known numeric patterns, crime scenes versus known blood splatter patterns. What exactly does a intelligently designed biological structure look like? How can you compare a known biological structure to an unknown like a designed biological structure? I think his analogy fails here. I suppose he could use the SETI criteria and check for known numerical patterns in DNA, but I don't think anyone expects that to work.

Michael Behe gave a primer on "irreducible complexity", which is perfectly logical, but makes an assumption that any biological structure has been used for exactly the same purpose throughout its history. There is no reason why natural selection can't use whatever is around for whatever it might be good for. So, there are bird feathers which were never evolved for flying, but serve the purpose. Similarly, various pieces of the bacterial flagellum are found in other bacteria, exactly in their current protein structure, used for completely different things than propulsion.

Steven Meyer essay, "Word Games: DNA, design and intelligence" is all about the language in DNA, how the base pairs are like letters, genes are like words etc.. etc... I agree with him. DNA is very much like a language. I would say that you can just call it a language. The problem here is that Meyer assumes that "languages only come about by intelligence", which is a false assumption. We can't point to a language designer. Who created language? No one did. It evolved naturally.

One of the essays "Is Intelligent Design Science?" by Bruce Gordon discusses "creation science", a precursor to ID and why it actually fits the definition of science (at least according to some definitions). He basically dismissed it as "bad science", but couldn't call it NOT science. I believe that the same can be said of ID overall, at least as far as the current formulation by the people in this book.

Set of Introductory Essays
Signs of Intelligence edited by Dembski and Kushiner is a collection of essays sympathetic to the notion of `Intelligent Design'.The essays are of an introductory nature and would seem to be aimed at readers new to this issue.

Traditionally, the design, or teleological, argument has contended that the universe and its constituents are the product of an intelligent creator, i.e. God. While appearing to share this classic theistic view, Intelligent Design (ID) is largely concerned with the narrower question of contemporary evolutionary theory.That is, the veracity of Neo-Darwinian Theory (NDT). For some participants the stakes of this debate appear to be high - threatening the very foundations of their worldviews.Unfortunately, as a result this issue is often characterized by angry ad hominem attacks, allegations of hidden agendas and overstatement.Following are brief comments on the text for potential purchasers.

First, with regard to shortcomings.Though the individual contributions are of a generally high standard there is too much overlap amongst some of the essays. Second, partially as a result of this overlap, the pieces by Percy and Richards add little value.Third, while he makes some interesting points, I do not find Dembski's approach appealing.On the one hand, he seems to be trying too hard to avoid the theistic implications of ID.While on the other hand, his mathematical modelling seems of the mark, attempting to quantify what seems to be an inherently subjective or intuitive process - inferring design.Fourth and finally, it is unclear what is the difference between ID and theistic evolution.In many ways the latter strikes me as more compelling for the theist.

On the positive side, several of the essays are helpful in identifying and discussing aspects of ID.Johnson is particularly effective in laying out what he perceives to be the underlying disagreement between the two camps -namely, their opposing metaphysical presuppositions - a commitment to physicalism on the part of Darwinists and a rejection of this view by proponents of ID. Johnson seems to be concerned with challenging what he perceives as unwarranted atheistic dogmatism in the academy - 'Darwin on Trial' provides excellent overview of his position.Indeed, for many, this latter charge of academic intolerance is the most interesting and disquieting aspect of the ID issue.

Bradley contribution is also interesting.He takes a broader tact highlighting evidence of the universe's fine-tuning that has come to light through modern science.Although the vast part of the contemporary ID debate is focused on the biological sciences, from my vantage point, theoretical physics offers the more compelling argument for design.Why is there anything?And how are we able to make sense of it?Difficult questions from any perspective, but, particularly so for the non-theist.

Finally, although I am not especially sympathetic to his thesis, Behe is also worth a look.His assertion of irreducible biological complexity has been a catalyst for muchrecent popular discussion of NDT.Behe argues that certain sub-cellular components are sufficiently complex that they cannot be explained by random mutation and natural selection.While he is effective in pointing out the incompleteness of NDT I do not find this approach compelling.Perhaps, I misunderstand his point; however, this strikes me as a `God of the gaps' argument- that is, NDT couldn't have created these entities so God must have intervened at these points. Though arguably the gaps have gotten larger since Darwin's day, this tactic has several weaknesses.First, it conflicts with traditional views of God as omniscient and omnipotent - reducing him to a type of repairman having to intervene to compensate for earlier oversights.And, second, negative assertions that something could not have occurred are difficult to defend. It is too easy for one's opponents to devise ad hoc stories to bridge the gaps.

Overall, this is a solid introduction to ID.For those interested in this issue a look at the opposing view is worthwhile.Although he is not an atheist, Ken Miller is among the best at defending NDT.Some of Dawkins' early work is also solid in this regard, e.g. the Blind Watchmaker.While with regard to the broader philosophical issues, Pennock's Tower of Babel deals touches on some of them, but is too much of a polemic for a starting point.I would be interested in hearing recommendations in this latter area.

Hateful Reviewers
Have you ever noticed that when evolutionists comment on ID books they are almost always hatefull, angry, and rude?(No, not always.I know.)ID proponents rarely sugar-coat a responce to the evolutionists, but I have rarely ever (if at all) read a mean, vengeful review by an ID proponent.I'm sure they exist so don't bother pulling out your quotes.Just notice how vicious the anti-ID people can be and ask yourself, if one person has to resort to name calling, sarcasm, and insults to put down another person's position, what does that say about the strength of the one person's argument?

Diverse Scholars Explain the Evidence for Intelligent Design in the Nature
Signs of Intelligence is a collection of essays from various scholars of the intelligent design movement who are explaining the precise meaning of the scientific theory of intelligent design.When the NCSE reviewed this book, they called it "aimless." A more accurate description would have been "threatening a wide variety of disciplines behind the curtain of Darwinism."

Mathematician and philosopher William Dembski opens the book by clearing up a common misconception by explaining that intelligent design does not necessarily mean "optimal design" (Also, see The Privileged Planet for a discussion of the concept of constrained optimization).Law professor Phillip Johnson proposes that science has adopted an inherently "materialist" model where explanations can never be non-material causes.Alternatively, Johnson suggests that science adopt a strictly "empirical" model, which uses the scientific method of hypothesis and experimentation but does not limit its answers to naturalistic causes.

Michael Behe proposes some novel examples of irreducible complexity. Namely, the cell's protein transport system contains a number of macromolecules, all of which are necessarily simply to get a protein to its correct destination in the cell.This irreducibly complex system reveals deeper levels of complexity in protein transport and assemblage, beyond mere proper irreducible complexity in protein functionality.Similarly, Stephen Meyer argues that the specified complexity in DNA, combined with the inability of natural explanation to explain the origin of life, imply that design is the best explanation.Meyer explains that this is not a "God-of-the-gaps" type argument because we have much observational experience that intelligent agents exclusively produce such forms of encoded specified complex information.

Other essays include Jonathan Wells' observations that more than simply the genetic code is required to account for life, a conclusion which is eschewed by the dogma of Neo-Darwinism; Paul Nelson's discussion of natural selection as a tautology with weak explanatory power; and Robert Dehaan and John Weister's arguments that the "top-down" pattern of the appearance of biological diversity implies that design took place during the Cambrian explosion and in the history of life as a whole.

Rather than being aimless, this book shows that design arguments are spreading into a variety disciplines and subdisciplines.This book provides plenty of essays by leading design scholars as to why empirical evidence should trump naturalistic philosophy in a diverse set of scientific fields. ... Read more

Product Description
A book that calls us to be a composite of two women--Mary and Martha--who take time to know Jesus better and whose theology informs and emboldens their ministries to others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Excellent discussion book
The book is well written and easy to read. The subject matter is thought-provoking: is God really Lord of your life? Is He really working all things together for your good? The author helps to make it personal, and the newer version includes questions in the back. A group of us are meeting each week to discuss it, and many of the ladies are discovering flaws in some of their long-held beliefs because of what they have read in it. I think that the group discussions are helpful; in fact, I am thinking that any similar book that I read would be more meaningful if carried into a group discussion!

A must-read for every Christian woman
A good friend recommended this book to me several years ago, and it's been one of those books that I read and re-read regularly.James' premise is that all women are theologians, so it makes a difference whether or not one is a GOOD one, and she gives a clarion call to pursue knowing God in a way that will make a difference in our lives.Using Mary of Bethany's three scriptural encounters with Jesus as a jumping-off point, James talks about taking time to know God as sovereign and personal, how to believe Him even when life collides with your beliefs, and how that knowledge of Him impacts a woman's life in her family, church body, and community.I found the last section covering this to be extremely empowering and motivating, elevating a woman's calling and role to a higher plane.I am now leading a women's discussion group using this book and it is great to see other women taking the knowledge of God more seriously, especially as we live in these uncertain times.I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who hungers for more of God!

Convicting
Though I first read this to fulfill a requirement, every time I read it from then on is and will be to continue understanding the content. It's deep but able to be grasped, and simultaneously challenging and embracing. Speaking in a very real way, the author engages her audience, encourages, and introduces new ways of seeing things. I'd say new ideas, but they are probably old ideas with a new twist that makes them more approachable. When I recommended it to my mom, she'd just received a copy from a friend in her small group--apparently its dynamic and helpful to more than just me!

Significant Book
Well written, Biblical, and stimulating. We are considering using this book as a tool in a men's Bible study.

When Life and Beliefs Collide
Theological sound.Encouragement for women to not be afraid of "Theology".The author is Biblically sound in her doctrine and how women can relate to other women and others in her life; whether a crisis or just daily living. A very much needed message in this post-modern world. ... Read more

Product Description
This brilliant book asks What's right with our world? And how did it get that way? The answers may surprise you, intrigue you and inspire you.Hopefully they will change you as they have changed the world. In a day when may professing Christians appear blissfully unaware of their cultural mandate, the authors remind us that the Church is to bear the glory of God in every sphere of life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

I did not know
Amazing how the world would be different if Jesus were not born.All aspects of life, in every part of the world would be different. This needs to be taught in our churches, in Sunday school and from the podium.

who doesn't?
I love D.James Kennedy & he is always inspiring how strong he is faithwise.Love his books.

very disappointing
It is inarguable that Christianity has had a profound effect on the modern world.It is also true that there has been much good to come from Christianity's influence on some people; i.e., William Wilberforce, William Booth and others.But to make statements that if Christianity did not exist the world would be a worse place is not a logical conclusion.One can only conjecture what might happen if there was no Jesus. Claims that since many scientists were christian then Christianity helped form science is fallacious.So are the claims of freedom for women. The ideas of the Enlightenment Period are more responsible for those things than are Christianity, as Christianity resisted the Enlightenment as much as possible.So to are the claims that Christian ideas are responsible for the creation of the United States.It is interesting to note that the native people of this country had representative governments before we did and indeed our constitution was modeled on those nations.If the founding fathers were such fervent Christians then why is Christ not mentioned specifically in either the Declaration or the Constitution?There is no mention of God or Christ in the Constitution at all with the exception of mention when stating the current date.The U.S. government is secular for a reason.
So rather than make positive statements that can be supported with facts that really show the positive influence of Christianity, the makers of this book and it's video use it for prosyletization.As usual the viewpoint of people like this is skewed and presented in black and white, right or wrong.It is unfortunate because the influence and positive benefits of Christ are many.There just aren't many of them presented accurately here.

great book- a must read
This is a must read for Christians who are weary of hearing how much better the world would be if we weren't here. A lot of non- Christians could benefit from reading this book- it is an eye opener. The extensive influence of Christianity in the world, and its impact on the U.S. goverment and the world made me weep, when I realized how much Jesus has affected this world, and how much would be lost if He had never been born. The non-Christian population has no idea how much they would lose. I absolutely loved this book, and refer to it again and again.

Ok
This book might not be what you expect. When you read the title you probably thought, "This is just another book about how we would be in hell without Jesus." That's what I thought at first too. Instead it tells how Jesus impacted this world, even after he ascended into heaven. It also tells how some Christians impacted the world.
At times I found this book a bit boring, but that's what I expected when I started the book(since I'm only 14 years-old).
Overall, if you want to read a book about how Jesus and Christian leaders impacted this world, you could probably find a better book elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description
The exciting story tells of J. Hudson Taylor, one of the great nineteenth-century missionaries. It is a true account of God's grace and what he can do with a life consecrated to Him. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

What An Incredibly Great Man!
This is a well written book about a great man.What more can I say!I was in awe of what that man did in his lifetime.A "must read" for every Christian!

A MUST READ!!
An exciting biography of how God can work in the life of a committed person.It will certainly redefine the word sacrifice for you.

An Inspiration, and a guide
I thank God for having allowed me to read this book and strongly urge you to read it as well!Many times I remember tears gently flowing out of my eyes as I could see God through this wonderful testimony which exhorted me,encouraged me, and led me.I strongly believe that it was God's seal ofapproval upon this man's life that made such a book be printed.I ampraying to translate this book into Spanish as I hope many more will alsohave the opportunity of reading such LIFE of the Gospel.

In Christ, J.Hernandez mussio2@hotmail.com

This is a story about a man who changed lives
I read this book with tears.Sometimes, the emotional impact was so much that I had to stop reading and pull myself out of it.James Hudson Taylor was one of the first missionaries who were willing to identify themselveswith Chinese people, just as Jesus identify Himself with human.The authordescribed honestly about Mr. Taylor's stregths and weaknesses, successesand mistakes, and his spiritual journey with God.A worth to readybiography. ... Read more