Most Popular Books by Stephen Glenn

Embark on a celestial journey to the very edge of our solar system with Stephen Glenn Butler''s "Explorations of the Oort Cloud: A Journey to the Edge of the Solar System." Dive into the farthest reaches of our cosmic neighborhood, a realm shrouded in mystery and filled with more questions than answers. This compelling volume takes readers through a sweeping narrative that combines the rigor of scientific exploration with the thrill of cosmic discovery. Navigate through the origins and mysteries of the Oort Cloud, an enigmatic halo of icy bodies that dwell at the solar system''s frontier. Discover the historical theories, groundbreaking technologies, and audacious missions that have dared to conquer this final frontier. From early speculations to modern interpretations, learn how the Oort Cloud influences our understanding of comets and cosmic evolution. This book is an essential read for anyone passionate about the science and magic of space exploration. Equip yourself with knowledge, contemplation, and inspiration for the next giant leap in human spacefaring. Join the expedition to explore the most enduring mystery of our solar neighborhood, for scientists and dreamers alike, the Oort Cloud is where imagination meets infinite possibilities.

A Blueprint for Bringing Together Two Families Living in a stepfamily is challenging. But a household where yours and mine must become ours can become a harmonious family unit. It is possible to build a stepfamily that works for all of its members--an environment where both adults and children can feel safe, loved, and free to grow and learn. Written to address the particular challenges that stepfamilies typically confront, this latest addition to the bestselling "Positive Discipline series helps you understand the process of stepfamily living and empowers you to make the right decisions. Inside, you will find real solutions that can make your new family a cohesive and happy unit. You''ll discover how to: -Resolve responsibility and role issues -Blend rules and traditions -Build effective communication between all family members -Handle discipline and finances -Develop respect and affection among rival children -And much more! "Anchored in today''s family realities, the essence of this book is a respectful approach to stepfamily discipline. The scenarios are grittily realistic and the wealth of positive suggestions ring true. Families are always a work in progress so this book is useful for both seasoned and novice parents and stepparents." --Margorie Engel, Ph.D., president, Stepfamily Association of America

Book One - The Messiah Revealed is the first volume in the Through the Eyes of a Shepherd series-a four-part historical retelling of the life of Jesus of Nazareth through the eyes of His older brother, Jonas. In this opening volume, readers are invited to walk beside the Master from His miraculous birth in Bethlehem to the beginning of His public ministry. Through Jonas''s intimate narration, we witness the wonder of angels and shepherds, the peril of exile in Egypt, the quiet years in Nazareth, and the awakening of a divine purpose that will change the world. This is not just the story of a Messiah foretold-it is the story of a family who loved Him, a mother who raised Him, and a brother who protected Him. Blending scriptural truth with sacred imagination, The Messiah Revealed brings new life to ancient events, portraying Jesus not only as Savior, but as son, husband, father, and friend. Rich in emotion and reverence, this first volume sets the stage for the greatest story ever told-seen through human eyes, yet illuminated by divine light.

In chapter 3, quantile regression is used to estimate probabilistic frontiers, i.e. frontiers based on the probability of being dominated. The results from the empirical application using an Italian hotel dataset show rejections of a parametric functional form and a location shift effect, large uncertainty of the estimates of the frontier and wide confidence intervals for the estimates of efficiency. Quantile regression is further developed to estimate thick probabilistic frontiers, i.e. frontiers based on a group of efficient firms. The empirical results show that the differences between the inefficient and efficient firms at lower quantiles of the conditional distribution function are from the coefficient (85 percent of the total effect) and the residual effects (25 percent) and at higher quantiles from the coefficient (68 percent) and the regressor effects (22 percent). The results from the Monte Carlo simulations in chapter 4 show that under the correctly assumed stochastic frontier models, the probabilistic frontiers can have the lowest bias and mean squared error of the efficiency estimates. When outliers or location-scale shift effects are included, more preference is towards the probabilistic frontiers. The nonparametric probabilistic frontiers are nearly always preferable to Data Envelopment Analysis and Free Disposable Hull. In chapter 5, a fixed effects quantile regression estimator is used to estimate a cost frontier and efficiency levels for a panel dataset of English NHS Trusts. Waiting times elasticities are estimated from -0.14 to 0.17 in the cross-sectional models and -0.008 to 0.03 in the panel models. Cost minimisation ranged from 33 to 60 days in the cross-sectional model and from 37 to 54 days in the panel model. The results show that the effects of the inputs and control variables vary depending on the efficiency of the Trusts. The efficiency estimates reveal very different conclusions depending on the model choice.

The volumes explore the impact of the Church on individuals in Mendon and follow the lives of every family member who was living in Mendon at the time the Branch was active. From the small town of Mendon came Prophets, Apostles, Missionaries, Stake Presidents, Bishops, and Relief Society workers. They helped establish the Church in New York, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and Utah. Their influence was remarkable and is capsulized in the biographical histories that compose this work.