Civic Engagement Programs and Youth Development: A Synthesis

Focuses on the role that civic engagement plays in helping young people develop a broad array of strengths and capacities, including educational achievement, health and safety, social and emotional well-being, and self sufficiency

Wake flowfields for Jovian probe

The wake flow field developed by the Galileo probe as it enters the Jovian atmosphere was modeled. The wake produced by the probe is highly energetic, yielding both convective and radiative heat inputs to the base of the probe. A component mathematical model for the inviscid near and far wake, the viscous near and far wake, and near wake recirculation zone was developed. Equilibrium thermodynamics were used for both the ablation and atmospheric species. Flow fields for three entry conditions were calculated. The near viscous wave was found to exhibit a variable axial pressure distribution with the neck pressure approximately three times the base pressure. Peak wake flow field temperatures were found to be in proportion to forebody post shock temperatures

Histone crosstalk directed by H2B ubiquitination is required for chromatin boundary integrity

Genomic maps of chromatin modifications have provided evidence for the partitioning of genomes into domains of distinct chromatin states, which assist coordinated gene regulation. The maintenance of chromatin domain integrity can require the setting of boundaries. The HS4 insulator element marks the 3′ boundary of a heterochromatin region located upstream of the chicken β-globin gene cluster. Here we show that HS4 recruits the E3 ligase RNF20/BRE1A to mediate H2B mono-ubiquitination (H2Bub1) at this insulator. Knockdown experiments show that RNF20 is required for H2Bub1 and processive H3K4 methylation. Depletion of RNF20 results in a collapse of the active histone modification signature at the HS4 chromatin boundary, where H2Bub1, H3K4 methylation, and hyperacetylation of H3, H4, and H2A.Z are rapidly lost. A remarkably similar set of events occurs at the HSA/HSB regulatory elements of the FOLR1 gene, which mark the 5′ boundary of the same heterochromatin region. We find that persistent H2Bub1 at the HSA/HSB and HS4 elements is required for chromatin boundary integrity. The loss of boundary function leads to the sequential spreading of H3K9me2, H3K9me3, and H4K20me3 over the entire 50 kb FOLR1 and β-globin region and silencing of FOLR1 expression. These findings show that the HSA/HSB and HS4 boundary elements direct a cascade of active histone modifications that defend the FOLR1 and β-globin gene loci from the pervasive encroachment of an adjacent heterochromatin domain. We propose that many gene loci employ H2Bub1-dependent boundaries to prevent heterochromatin spreading

Catching and rearing postlarval cleaner shrimp for the aquarium trade: results from a WorldFish Center project in Solomon Islands

Between 1999 and 2003, the WorldFish Center in Solomon Islands conducted research into the feasibility of a new fishery based on the capture and culture of postlarval coral reef fish for the live fish trade. The work was carried out in two phases: a research phase from late 1999 to the end of 2002; and a “finetuning” phase in 2003. Most of the species were of value to the marine aquarium trade, with very few live reef food fish recorded. The most valuable ornamentals were the banded cleaner shrimp, Stenopus species. Cleaner shrimp were harvested using crest nets, the method being modified with the addition of a solid, water-retaining cod-end designed to increase survival at capture. Grow-out techniques were improved by rearing the shrimp separately in jars to prevent aggression. The jars were painted black to protect the shrimp from sunlight. An economic model using experimental catch data and farm gate prices indicates that the fishery based on shrimp, supplemented with small numbers of lobster and fish is economically viable. The next step will be setting up a demonstration farm in a village in the Western Province of Solomon Islands.Aquarium culture, Juveniles, Catch culture, Shrimp fisheries, Catch/effort, Solomon I., Stenopus

A Comparison of the Roles of American and Civil Law Judges in the Development of the Law

The traditional distinction between a judge in the Civil Law System and his counterpart in the United States is that the former only applies codified law, while the latter not only applies but also makes law through judicial decision. The theory underlying the Civil Law System holds that development of the law is the exclusive province of the legislature and that judges are not to engage in such activity unless the legislature permits it. In France, for example, to ensure that judges do not exceed their authority, the Civil Code prohibits a judge, under threat of criminal sanction, from basing a decision on precedent, so as to prevent the development of general principles of law through judicial decision. A similar prohibition is found in the Austrian General Civil Code of 1811, which expressly states that a case decision is not a source of law and may not be relied upon as precedent. It is provisions such as these which led Dean Pound to label civil law courts judicial slot machines. The most pronounced differences between the two legal systems is theoretical, since the theory behind the United States system openly acknowledges the impossibility of separating the functions of applying and making the law, and maintains that the two functions are not only complimentary but also interrelated and interacting. American legal theory even maintains that judges may nullify law created by legislatures if that law is found to be unconstitutional. Thus, by contrasting the theories behind the two systems the civil law judiciary is depicted as being passive while the American judiciary is depicted as being active

A Review and Outlook for the Removal of Radon-Generated Po-210 Surface Contamination

The next generation low-background detectors operating deep underground aim for unprecedented low levels of radioactive backgrounds. The deposition and presence of radon progeny on detector surfaces is an added source of energetic background events. In addition to limiting the detector material's radon exposure in order to reduce potential surface backgrounds, it is just as important to clean surfaces to remove inevitable contamination. Such studies of radon progeny removal have generally found that a form of etching is effective at removing some of the progeny (Bi and Pb), however more aggressive techniques, including electropolishing, have been shown to effectively remove the Po atoms. In the absence of an aggressive etch, a significant fraction of the Po atoms are believed to either remain behind within the surface or redeposit from the etching solution back onto the surface. We explore the chemical nature of the aqueous Po ions and the effect of the oxidation state of Po to maximize the Po ions remaining in the etching solution of contaminated Cu surfaces. We present a review of the previous studies of surface radon progeny removal and our findings on the role of oxidizing agents and a cell potential in the preparation of a clean etching technique.Comment: Proceedings of the Low Radioactivity Techniques (LRT) 2017, Seoul, South Korea, May 24-26, 201

The moderating effect of brand orientation on inter-firm market orientation and performance

While prior research has shown that market and brand orientation are key contributors to successful business performance, research to date has not fully explored how inter firm collaboration for these two key orientations can enhance business performance. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the relationship between inter-firm market and performance; to test for the moderating role of brand orientation in that relationship. A total of 169 completed pairs of surveys were collected of small and medium enterprises operating internationally in a variety of industries in Switzerland. The results show that inter-firm market and brand orientation are two antecedents of marketing and financial performance. The impact of inter-firm market on marketing and financial performance is significant when the brand orientation is favorable. This study extends previous research by examining the moderating role of brand orientation on inter firm market orientation, which is important, especially for firms wanting to increase their brand reputation by entering into partnerships with other firms. Further research is indicated, to identify the key moderators of the driving force of inter-firm market in relation to business performance and the reason why maintaining a strong brand presence is important in the international marketplace

Integrating the Expanded Task-technology Fit Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model: A Multi-wave Empirical Analysis

Task-technology fit theory proposes that the match between tasks and technologies, known as task-technology fit, has a positive relation with technology use and performance. Researchers have recently extended task-technology fit theory by conceptualizing task-technology misfit, which describes instances in which technology provides too few (too little) or too many (too much) features to perform a task. We link this newly expanded theory, which we label expanded task- technology fit (E-TTF) theory, with the technology acceptance model (TAM). We conducted a study and found that task- technology fit and too little significantly related to the variables in the TAM and that each ultimately had an indirect effect on use. In contrast, too much did not significantly relate to any variable in the TAM. These results support that E-TTF theory explains meaningful variance in the TAM, which suggests that integrating these theories is important for understanding technology use. Likewise, these results emphasize the importance of the multidimensional conceptualization that the E-TTF theory proposes. Too little (too few features) predicted outcomes beyond task- technology fit and meaningfully improved our model’s predictive abilities. In contrast, too much’s (too many features) relationships lacked significance, which emphasizes the need to distinguish types of task-technology misfit. Therefore, our study provides benefits for research on E-TTF theory, the TAM, and their integration

Projected Images of Major Chinese Outbound Destinations

This study aimed to explore the projected images of major outbound destinations based on popular travel magazines in China. Travel articles on Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan from 2006 to 2008 were content analyzed. Japan was reported on most, and the projected images of the six destinations are dominated by leisure and recreation, and culture, history and art. Correspondence analysis was used to examine relationships between destinations and popular image attributes. The results showed that South Korea and Macau had distinct projected images, whereas Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam shared many similar image attributes. Practical implications for destination marketing organizations are provided

Pathogenicity and immunogenicity of live attenuated and inactivated fowl adenovirus in commercial broiler chickens

Fowl Adenovirus (FAdV) is a non-enveloped DNA virus which is the primary pathogen of Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH) in chickens. IBH outbreaks were reported worldwide and was first reported in Malaysia in 2005 due to FAdV strain of serotype 8b infection. It was objective of the study to determine pathogenicity and immunogenicity of live attenuated and/or inactivated FAdV strain of serotype 8b (UPM1137) of Malaysian isolate in commercial broiler chickens. The 54, 1-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were divided into four groups, namely groups A-D. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. The chicks in groups A-C were inoculated with inactivated FAdV (0.2 mL) with virus titer of 106.5 TCID50 /0.2 mL, live attenuated FAdV (0.1 mL) with virus titer of 105.2 TCID50 /0.1 mL and the combination of the inactivated (0.2 mL) and live attenuated (0.1 mL) FAdV, respectively at day old and day 14 post-inoculation (pi). Body weight and blood samples were collected prior to necropsy at days 14 and 28 pi, except sampling was also conducted at day 0 pi in the group D (control). On necropsy, the gross lesions and liver weight were recorded and samples of liver were collected for histological examination. The study showed that neither clinical signs nor gross and histological lesions were recorded in all group of chickens throughout the trial. The body weight of chickens at days 14 and 28 pi were not significantly different (p>0.05) among all the groups. The liver to body weight ratio of group C was significantly higher (p<0.05) than groups A and D at day 28 pi. The FAdV antibody titer in group D (control) was 938±1596 on day old and was not detected at days 14 and 28 pi. However, the FAdV antibody was induced at high titer in all the inoculated groups at days 14 and 28 pi. The FAdV antibody titer of group C was significantly (p<0.05) higher than groups A and B at day 28 pi. It was concluded that the live attenuated and inactivated FAdV are safe and able to induce FAdV antibody titer in broiler chickens with moderate level of maternally derived antibody at day old of age. The combination of live attenuated and inactivated FAdV was able to induce higher antibody titer when compared to sole use of live attenuated or inactivated FAdV. It has high potential to be used as vaccination strategy against IBH outbreaks