301 research outputs found
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act: An Analysis of the Confusion in its Application and a Proposal for Reform
This Note will first discuss the technical elements of a RICO violation and set forth the four separate crimes that constitute the statute\u27s central provisions. After then examining RICO\u27s crucial statutory definitions and the confusion reflected in their application, this Note will evaluate the various judicial interpretations of the statute and propose a solution for amending the statute that is harmonious with legislative intent and accommodates the needs of both society and the individual
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Synthesis and investigation of layered oxides with honeycomb ordering
Synthesis and discovery lies at the core of every field in chemistry. The investigation of the structure-property relationships in compounds known or new is the fundamental purpose of solid state chemistry. Mixing related solid state compounds to form solid solutions can lead to exciting new and/or unexpected properties. Layered compounds are used in everyday technology, especially batteries. A renewed interest in layered oxides with honeycomb ordering has arisen in the past two years with the discovery of many new compositions as well as the reinvestigation to clarify the structure and properties of previously reported compounds.
In this work the discovery and characterization of 7 new compounds is presented and discussed. One family of solid solutions that was investigated have the compositions NaâM[â-x]M'[subscript x]SbOâ where M, M' = Cu, Mg, Ni, Zn. All compositions crystallize in the C2/m space group and contain a honeycomb ordering within the MÂČâș/Sbâ”âș edge-sharing octahedra. X-ray diffraction verified lattice parameter trends based on the ionic radii of the MÂČâș cations however, the Jahn-Teller active CuÂČâș ion creates larger differences than predicted. The antiferromagnetic order in NaâNiâSbOâ and the spin gap magnetic behavior of NaâCuâSbOâ are suppressed upon
substitution with the nonmagnetic ZnÂČâș and MgÂČâș cations. Estimated band gaps for these compounds are determined from diffuse reflectance measurements.
Two compositions that were discovered during this work were NaâLiFeSbOâ (space group C2/c) and the ion exchange delafossite AgâLiFeSbOâ (space group P3112. The space group index of NaâNaFeSbOâ was also reinvestigated. These compounds are related to the previous materials with a lamellar structure with Naâș filling interlayer space between Liâ/âFeâ/âSbâ/âOâ slabs. A high degree of stacking faults was present in the X-ray diffraction patterns preventing full structural characterization. Magnetic susceptibility verified the presence of high spin FeÂłâș. In order to determine some information regarding the arrangement of cations within the slabs 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was employed.
The new layered compound LiâNiâBiOâ was discovered as well as the partially substituted phases LiâNiM'BiOâ (M' = Mg, Cu, Zn). These compounds crystallize in the monoclinic C2/m space group. These compounds have a lamellar structure with a honeycomb ordering between the NiÂČâș and Biâ”âș within the slabs which are separated by Liâș ions filling the interlayer space. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate paramagnetic behavior of all the compositions at high temperature and only the parent compound LiâNiâBiOâ contains an antiferromagnetic ordering at 5.5 K. Topotactic molten salt ion exchange was used to synthesize the new delafossite AgâNiâBiOâ. Compositions of LiâNiâBiOâ and the exchange compound AgâNiâBiOâ were verified using inductively coupled plasma â atomic emission spectroscopy.
Solid solution studies were also performed as part of this work where structural transitions and property modifications were observed for two families of compounds. In the family of P2-NaâMâTeOâ (M = Co, Ni, Zn), three full solid solutions were prepared. These too contain a MÂČâș/Xâ¶âș honeycomb ordering within slabs of edge-sharing octahedra which are separated by nonstoichiometric filling of Naâș in trigonal prismatic interlayer sites. All compounds crystallize in a hexagonal unit cell however, a different stacking sequence is observed for the nickel (space group P6â/mcm) containing composition compared to the zinc and cobalt compositions (space group P6â22) causing a structural transition to occur when nickel is substituted by zinc or cobalt which was monitored using X-ray diffraction. Magnetic susceptibility indicates high temperature paramagnetic behavior in all compositions with low temperature antiferromagnetic transitions in the compounds containing nickel or cobalt. This transition is suppressed upon zinc substitution. An interesting color transition from pink to light green to white was observed for M = Co, Ni, Zn, respectively, and was examined using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy
Quality of Life among Cancer Survivors: Comparison of Multiple Cancers Using iCaRe2
Background: The number of cancer survivors continues to increase due to dramatic improvements in cancer treatment, accounting for approximately 5% of the entire population. As cancer survivors continue to live longer, it is important to understand their quality of life (QoL) in order to maximize supportive care efforts.
Objectives: In this study, the quality of life (QoL) among patients with different types of cancer was examined. The objectives were to: 1) compare patient-reported outcome measures of QoL using the Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey scores among patients of different cancer types and 2) identify demographic, oncologic, and clinical factors that are associated with SF-36 QOL scores.
Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a multi-center cancer registry data collected between January 2007 and February 2020. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify demographic and clinical factors that are associated with SF-36 Physical Component Score (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS).
Findings: Both mental and physical aspects of QoL were affected in all cancer patients, regardless of the type, prognosis, and time since diagnosis and treatment. Individual, socioeconomic, disease, and treatment-related variables were associated with QoL among different cancer populations and should be addressed as part of shared treatment decision-making
Evaluating lithium diffusion mechanisms in the complex spinel Li2NiGe3O8
Lithium-ion diffusion mechanisms in the complex spinel Li2NiGe3O8 have been investigated using solid-state NMR, impedance, and muon spectroscopies. Partial occupancy of migratory interstitial 12d sites is shown to occur at lower temperatures than previously reported. Bulk activation energies for Li+ ion hopping range from 0.43 ± 0.03 eV for powdered samples to 0.53 ± 0.01 eV for samples sintered at 950 °C for 24 h, due to the loss of Li during sintering at elevated temperatures. A lithium diffusion coefficient of 3.89 Ă 10â12 cm2 sâ1 was calculated from muon spectroscopy data for Li2NiGe3O8 at 300 K
Effects of Processing Strategies and La + Sm Co-Doping on the Thermoelectric Performance of A-Site-Deficient SrTiO3-ÎŽ Ceramics
The effect of calcining in either air (VSTO-A) or 5% H2/N2 (VSTO-H) on the thermoelectric performance of La and Sm co-doped A-site-deficient Sr1-3x/2Lax/2Smx/2TiO3-ÎŽ ceramics is reported. All calcined powders were sintered 6 h in 5% H2/N2 at 1773 K to â„96% relative density. All peaks in X-ray diffraction patterns indexed as a cubic perovskite phase. Scanning electron microscopy revealed grain sizes ~14 and ~10 ÎŒm for VSTO-A and VSTO-H ceramics, respectively. x = 0.30 showed the lowest k (2.99 W/m.K at 973 K) for VSTO-A, whereas x = 0.20 had the lowest (2.67 W/m. K at 973 K) for the VSTO-H ceramics. x = 0.30 VSTO-A showed a thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT = 0.25 (at 973 K), whereas the maximum ZT = 0.30 (at 973 K) was achieved for x = 0.20 VSTO-H ceramics, demonstrating that thermoelectric properties are optimized when all processing is carried out in 5% H2/N2
Gut Microbiota Composition Modulates the Magnitude and Quality of Germinal Centers during Plasmodium Infections
Gut microbiota composition is associated with human and rodent Plasmodium infections, yet the mechanism by which gut microbiota affects the severity of malaria remains unknown. Humoral immunity is critical in mediating the clearance of Plasmodium blood stage infections, prompting the hypothesis that mice with gut microbiota-dependent decreases in parasite burden exhibit better germinal center (GC) responses. In support of this hypothesis, mice with a low parasite burden exhibit increases in GC B cell numbers and parasite-specific antibody titers, as well as better maintenance of GC structures and a more targeted, qualitatively different antibody response. This enhanced humoral immunity affects memory, as mice with a low parasite burden exhibit robust protection against challenge with a heterologous, lethal Plasmodium species. These results demonstrate that gut microbiota composition influences the biology of spleen GCs as well as the titer and repertoire of parasite-specific antibodies, identifying potential approaches to develop optimal treatments for malaria
The diet of young Neandertals from France, Pech de lâAzĂ©Â I and Hortus II, reconstructed using dental microwear texture analysis
Les adultes nĂ©andertaliens prĂ©sentent des diffĂ©rences de rĂ©gime alimentaire en fonction de leur palĂ©ohabitat. Nous examinons si les jeunes enfants nĂ©andertaliens de France datant du stade isotopique marins 3 montrent Ă©galement ces distinctions alimentaires Ă partir de lâĂ©tude de la texture des micro-usures dentaires des deuxiĂšmes molaires dĂ©ciduales des individus Pech de lâAzĂ©Â I, datant dâune phase froide-tempĂ©rĂ©e, et Hortus II, datant dâune phase froid-aride extrĂȘme. LâĂ©chantillon comparatif (n=76) comprend des molaires dĂ©ciduales dâagriculteurs-cueilleurs provenant de trois grottes nĂ©olithiques de Belgique, dont Caverne de la Cave Ă Maurenne (n=5), Sclaigneaux (n=7) et Bois Madame (n=6), ainsi que des agriculteurs de lâĂ©poque romaine dâHerculanum (n=15) et mĂ©diĂ©vaux de Canterbury, Angleterre (n=43). Lorsque la complexitĂ© est comparĂ©e Ă lâanisotropie, Pech de lâAzĂ©Â I prĂ©sente une valeur Ă©levĂ©e provenant de la mastication de plantes Ă parties dures ou de particules adhĂ©rentes, ou de la consommation dâaliments mal transformĂ©s ou chargĂ©s de silicates abrasifs. En revanche, Hortus II a une valeur faible, peut-ĂȘtre en raison de lâaccĂšs limitĂ© aux parties dures des plantes comme les graines et les noix. Toutefois, Pech de lâAzĂ©Â I et Hortus II se ressemblent en prĂ©sentant une faible valeur dâanisotropie qui est rĂ©vĂ©latrice de mouvements complexes des mĂąchoires lors de la mastication et sont diffĂ©rents des enfants humains nĂ©olithiques, romains et mĂ©diĂ©vaux qui ont tendance Ă avoir des valeurs plus Ă©levĂ©es. Les rĂ©gimes alimentaires des enfants nĂ©andertaliens diffĂšrent en fonction du palĂ©ohabitat et sont gĂ©nĂ©ralement plus diversifiĂ©s que ceux des producteurs dâaliments, quâils habitent des environnements boisĂ©s ou ouverts.Neandertal adults show differences in diet with respect to paleohabitat. To examine whether Neandertal children of France during Marine Isotope Stage 3 also show these dietary distinctions, the deciduous second molars of Pech de lâAzĂ©Â I, from a cold-temperate period, and Hortus II from Sub-Phase Vb, an extreme cold-arid interval, were examined using dental microwear texture analysis. The comparative sample (n=76) includes deciduous molars from Neolithic forager-farmers of Belgium, including Caverne de la Cave at Maurenne (n=5), Sclaigneaux (n=7) and Bois Madame (n=6), Roman-era farmers from Herculaneum (n=15) and Medieval agriculturalists from Canterbury, England (n=43). When complexity is compared to anisotropy, Pech de lâAzĂ©Â I exhibits an elevated value from the mastication of plants with hard parts or adherent particles, or the consumption of foods that were poorly processed or grit-laden, whereas Hortus II presents a low value, perhaps from limited access to hard plant parts such as seeds and nuts. However, Pech de lâAzĂ©Â I and Hortus II resemble each other in having a low value for anisotropy, which is indicative of complicated movements of the jaws during mastication and are dissimilar to Neolithic, Roman and Medieval human children who tend to have higher values. The diets of Neandertal children differ with respect to paleohabitat and typically were more diverse than those of food producers regardless of whether they inhabited wooded or open environments
Longitudinal and Transverse Quasi-Elastic Response Functions of Light Nuclei
The He and He longitudinal and transverse response functions are
determined from an analysis of the world data on quasi-elastic inclusive
electron scattering. The corresponding Euclidean response functions are derived
and compared to those calculated with Green's function Monte Carlo methods,
using realistic interactions and currents. Large contributions associated with
two-body currents are found, particularly in the He transverse response, in
agreement with data. The contributions of two-body charge and current operators
in the He, He, and Li response functions are also studied via
sum-rule techniques. A semi-quantitative explanation for the observed
systematics in the excess of transverse quasi-elastic strength, as function of
mass number and momentum transfer, is provided. Finally, a number of model
studies with simplified interactions, currents, and wave functions is carried
out to elucidate the role played, in the full calculation, by tensor
interactions and correlations.Comment: 40 pages, 11 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
A Decade of SN1993J: Discovery of Wavelength Effects in the Expansion Rate
We have studied the growth of the shell-like radio structure of supernova
SN1993J in M81 from September 1993 through October 2003 with very-long-baseline
interferometry (VLBI) observations at the wavelengths of 3.6, 6, and 18cm. For
this purpose, we have developed a method to accurately determine the outer
radius (R) of any circularly symmetric compact radio structure like SN1993J.
The source structure of SN1993J remains circularly symmetric (with deviations
from circularity under 2%) over almost 4000 days. We characterize the
decelerated expansion of SN 1993J through approximately day 1500 after
explosion with an expansion parameter ().
However, from that day onwards the expansion is different when observed at 6
and 18cm. Indeed, at 18cm, the expansion can be well characterized by the same
as before day 1500, while at 6cm the expansion appears more decelerated,
and is characterized by another expansion parameter, .
Therefore, since about day 1500 on, the radio source size has been
progressively smaller at 6cm than at 18cm. These findings are in stark contrast
to previous reports by other authors on the details of the expansion. In our
interpretation the supernova expands with a single expansion parameter, , and the 6cm results beyond day 1500 are due to physical
effects, perhaps also coupled to instrumental limitations. Two physical effects
may be involved: (a) a changing opacity of the ejecta to the 6cm radiation, and
(b) a radial decrease of the magnetic field in the emitting region.
(Long abstract cut. Please, read full abstract in manuscript).Comment: 21 pages, 19 figures, accepted in A&
Direct Determination of Hubble Parameter Using Type IIn Supernovae
We introduce a novel approach, a Dense Shell Method (DSM), for measuring
distances for cosmology. It is based on original Baade idea to relate absolute
difference of photospheric radii with photospheric velocity. We demonstrate
that this idea works: the new method does not rely on the Cosmic Distance
Ladder and gives satisfactory results for the most luminous Type IIn
Supernovae. This allows one to make them good primary distance indicators for
cosmology. Fixing correction factors for illustration, we obtain with this
method the median distance of 68^{+19}_{-15} (68%CL) Mpc to SN 2006gy and
median Hubble parameter 79^{+23}_{-17} (68%CL) km/s/Mpc.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, typos correcte
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