Submillimeter and Far-Infrared Polarimetric Observations of Magnetic Fields in Star-Forming Regions

Observations of star-forming regions by the current and upcoming generation of submillimeter polarimeters will shed new light on the evolution of magnetic fields over the cloud-to-core size scales involved in the early stages of the star formation process. Recent wide-area and high-sensitivity polarization observations have drawn attention to the challenges of modeling magnetic field structure of star forming regions, due to variations in dust polarization properties in the interstellar medium. However, these observations also for the first time provide sufficient information to begin to break the degeneracy between polarization efficiency variations and depolarization due to magnetic field sub-beam structure, and thus to accurately infer magnetic field properties in the star-forming interstellar medium. In this article we discuss submillimeter and far-infrared polarization observations of star-forming regions made with single-dish instruments. We summarize past, present and forthcoming single-dish instrumentation, and discuss techniques which have been developed or proposed to interpret polarization observations, both in order to infer the morphology and strength of the magnetic field, and in order to determine the environments in which dust polarization observations reliably trace the magnetic field. We review recent polarimetric observations of molecular clouds, filaments, and starless and protostellar cores, and discuss how the application of the full range of modern analysis techniques to recent observations will advance our understanding of the role played by the magnetic field in the early stages of star formation.Comment: 29 pages, 12 figures, 1 table, published in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. Open-access, available here: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2019.00015/ful

Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials: The Attitudes of Three Generations Toward Their Higher Education Objectives in Georgia Community Colleges

In today\u27s economy, students and professionals must acquire skills and continue to hone them throughout their lifetimes (Boothe, 1998). In particular, students must sharpen communication, information technology, and human relations skills and expect to have more than one career in their lifetimes. Because higher education is the key to those skills, community colleges are increasingly multi-generational learning institutions complete with students comprising three or more generations simultaneously. As such, it may be beneficial to recognize and examine the traits of Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Millennials so educators may adapt to varying learning styles and value systems (Robey-Graham, 2008). For this quantitative study, a review of the professional literature and a documents analysis from each institution was performed, followed by interviews with two administrators at each of the three institutions to determine what these administrators believe are the learning objectives of each of the generational groups, and to seek information regarding the methods provided at each institution to enhance the learning environment for each of the generational groups. The above information was used to develop a survey instrument that was administered to students enrolled within classes at a large, medium, and small community college that was selected to ensure that the participants in the study represent the larger population of community college students in Georgia. Finally, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine the degree of differences and what changes students from each of the three generations would like to see in the learning environment at community colleges in Georgia. Student survey responses reinforced assumption gleaned from the literature. Millennials are often extrinsically motivated, meaning they value the goals that education may afford, including a job, career, financial opportunities, or societal expectations, but not necessarily for the sake of learning (Bye, Pushkar, and Conway\u27s, 2007). Millennials are drawn to higher education because of the promise of a more satisfying career, secure financial future, and are more invested in the end result, financial reward, than acquiring knowledge (Shaul, 2007). Conversely, non-traditional learners are intrinsically motivated, desiring self-improvement, while considering personal growth to promote psychological well-being, and not requiring an immediate return, wanting to attend college for the sake of learning, seeking knowledge to satisfy an inquiring mind (Wolfgang & Dowling, 1981)

Tidal Currents and Inertial Oscillations in Northwestern Baffin Bay

From moored current meter data obtained in 1978 and 1979 in western Baffin Bay and Lancaster Sound, a preliminary analysis was made of the tidal currents and interial oscillations in the area. The tidal currents are relatively small through much of the study area. Offshore, the largest of both the diurnal and the semi-diurnal tidal currents were in all cases less than 8 cm/s in amplitude. In nearshore locations, the tidal currents can be considerably stronger due to internal tides; for example, off Cape Hay on Bylot Island, the K1 tidal currents near the surface were determined to have an amplitude of 15 cm/s. Evidence of inertial oscillations was present in the records from the uppermost current meters on all moorings located at a nominal depth of 35 m. Typical amplitudes were 10 to 20 cm/s, with speeds as high as 35 cm/s being observed. The magnitude of inertial oscillations decreases rapidly with depth; at 250 m, they are greatly reduced in amplitude and are difficult to resolve from the semi-diurnal tidal currents. The inertial oscillations resulted, in large part, from changes in the local surface wind; at times of solid ice cover, their amplitudes were markedly reduced.Key words: Baffin Bay, tidal currents, inertial oscillations, circulatio

The Effects of Social Media on Public Consumption of News, Journalism and Relationship Building in Public Relations

This study presents information regarding the effects social media has had thus far on the consumption and understanding of news and current events in today’s society. It analyzes how social media has altered traditional news media and what literature predictions are for the future of the journalism profession. This study also presents information regarding how social media has affected public relations and the formation of relationships with stakeholders and publics. It analyzes what literature states on the subjects and takes a closer look at how technology has impacted journalism and public relations curriculum as well. Journalists are facing challenges because social media has made it possible for every user to access the news they want to see online, as well as post and share content. News consumers also face challenges because news they choose to access is primarily on Facebook, where there is no fact-checking function. There- fore, fact-checking and misinformation are also addressed in detail, as well as how much the public trusts the accuracy of news today

Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 drive a RANK-independent pathway of osteoclast activation

The skeleton is a dynamic organ that undergoes a continual process known as bone remodeling. Bone remodeling is necessary to maintain structural integrity, heal micro-fractures caused by from daily wear and tear, and to store and release essential ions and minerals. Remodeling is a highly regulated process, with bone resorption precisely balanced by bone formation under homeostatic conditions. In the setting of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory condition affecting joints, this balance is lost and bone around inflamed joints is eroded. These so-called "bone erosions" compromise joint function, causing disability. Osteoclasts, multinucleated cells of hematopoietic origin, are the only cells known to resorb bone. Osteoclasts are found at erosion sites in human joints, and data from mouse models of inflammatory arthritis suggest that osteoclasts are required for erosions to form in bone. The canonical pathway of osteoclast differentiation requires stimulation of myeloid precursors by the cytokine Receptor Activator of NF-Kappa B ligand (RANKL) through its receptor, RANK. In the inflamed joint, RANKL expression can be induced on mesenchymal lineage cells by inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). Surprisingly, our lab observed bone erosions and osteoclast formation in a mouse model of RA in the absence of RANK. Thus we hypothesized that in addition to RANKL expression, the cytokine milieu in RA may directly stimulate osteoclast formation. It was recently reported that the inflammatory cytokines TNF alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in combination stimulate osteoclast differentiation, independent of exogenous RANKL. We have reproduced these results and shown that these osteoclast-like cells form entirely independently of RANK signaling. However, TNF alpha/IL-6 induced osteoclast formation still requires the transcription factor Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFATc1), a master regulator of RANK-mediated osteoclast differentiation, as well as co-stimulatory signaling provided by the immunoreceptor tyrosine based activation motif (ITAM)-containing DNAX-activating protein (DAP12) molecules. We also showed that TNF alpha/IL-6 induced osteoclast formation requires activity of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), as osteoclast formation can be inhibited through co-culture with an IL-6R blocking antibody (MR16-1). Finally, using an in vivo mouse model of RA in RANK-deficient mice, we tested whether blocking IL-6R with MR16-1 antibody protects against the formation of periarticular bone erosions. Our results suggest that a RANK-independent pathway of osteoclast formation contributes to inflammatory bone erosions. Targeting this pathway may improve outcomes for RA patients

Seasonal Variations in Currents and Water Properties in Northwestern Baffin Bay, 1978-1979

Year-long records of current speed and direction, temperature and conductivity were obtained from five current meter moorings in northwestern Baffin Bay. Significant seasonal changes in all these parameters were found, which closely followed the seasonal cycle of sea-ice cover. A general winter weakening of the near-surface currents (by a factor of 2 or more) was observed. Deeper currents exhibited a smaller decrease, resulting in a general decrease in baroclinicity during the winter. An exceptional case was observed off the north coast of Bylot Island, where the deep currents reversed. An increase in salinity combined with freezing temperatures was observed in the upper part of the water column during the winter. At some sites this uniform layer appeared to deepen at a steady rate of approximately 40-50 m per month, to a maximum depth between 200 and 250 m. It was not possible, however, to distinguish between the effects of local convection and horizontal advection in deepening the layer.Key words: current, seasonal variation, temperature, salinity, Arctic, Lancaster Sound, Baffin Ba