Unique unto itself: The records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 1908 to 1945

This paper addresses several misunderstandings about the nature of the FBI's Central Records System. Although depicted in popular culture and much of FBI historiography as a tool for the Cold War suppression of American radicals, the FBI's records system grew out of Department of Justice systems already in place before J. Edgar Hoover became Director in 1924. The system grew in size and complexity according to the demands placed on it by the changing priorities of the FBI's criminal and intelligence missions, guided by a “progressive” drive for efficiency through centralization.     

Contesting Communities

This introductory article to the combined special issue of Journalism Studies and Journalism Practice provides an overview of some of the key contemporary approaches to studying journalism and social order. It argues the need to step beyond a functionalist framework when considering the news media’s central role in shaping social connections, community and cohesion. To advance our understandings of social order, our paper suggests a greater emphasis of the significance of journalism’s relationship to the wider social sphere along with three other key considerations, including (1) a critical focus on the relationship between media, politics and social order, especially in defining and/or negotiating “anti-social” practices and social disintegration; (2) a more refined focus on the “imagined” and geographic boundaries of news audiences in digital spaces; and (3) the changing relationship to norms and conventions of journalism practice from trust and legitimacy to the role of journalists as arbiters and connectors across social spaces.     

Effects of purposeful soccer heading on circulating small extracellular vesicle concentration and cargo

BackgroundConsidering the potential cumulative effects of repetitive head impact (HI) exposure, we need sensitive biomarkers to track short- and long-term effects. Circulating small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) (<200 nm) traffic biological molecules throughout the body and may have diagnostic value as biomarkers for disease. The purpose of this study was to identify the microRNA (miRNA) profile in circulating sEVs derived from human plasma following repetitive HI exposure.MethodsHealthy adult (aged 18–35 years) soccer players were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: the HI group performed 10 standing headers, the leg impact group performed 10 soccer ball trapping maneuvers over 10 min, and the control group did not participate in any soccer drills. Plasma was collected before testing and 24 h afterward, and sEVs were isolated and characterized via nanoparticle tracking analysis. Next-generation sequencing was utilized to identify candidate miRNAs isolated from sEVs, and candidate microRNAs were analyzed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In silico target prediction was performed using TargetScan (Version 7.0; targetscan.org) and miRWalk (http://mirwalk.umm.uni-heidelberg.de/) programs, and target validation was performed using luciferase reporter vectors with a miR-7844-5p mimic in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T/17 cells.ResultsPlasma sEV concentration and size were not affected across time and group following repetitive HI exposure. After 24 h, the HI read count from next-generation sequencing showed a 4-fold or greater increase in miR-92b-5p, miR-423-5p, and miR-24-3p and a 3-fold or greater decrease in miR-7844-5p, miR-144-5p, miR-221-5p, and miR-22-3p. Analysis of quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that leg impact did not alter the candidate miRNA levels. To our knowledge, miR-7844-5p is a previously unknown miRNA. We identified 8 miR-7844-5p mRNA targets: protein phosphatase 1 regulatory inhibitor subunit 1B (PPP1R1B), LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domains 1 (LIMS1), autophagy-related 12 (ATG12), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (MAP1LC3B), integrin subunit alpha-1 (ITGA1), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8).ConclusionCollectively, these data indicate repetitive HI exposure alters plasma sEV miRNA content, but not sEV size or number. Furthermore, for the first time we demonstrate that previously unknown miR-7844-5p targets mRNAs known to be involved in mitochondrial apoptosis, autophagy regulation, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative disease.     

Research findings and administrative implications for off-campus higher education

While off-campus educational programs grow in number and in importance in American higher education, little systematic research has been conducted concerning their effectiveness and intellectual and developmental impact. The project described here compared students in three categories: those studying abroad; those studying off-campus in this country; and those who remained on their home campus. The implications of the findings of the research suggest that a rethinking of existing programs is appropriate, if off-campus educational programs are to realize their full potential. The authors offer concrete suggestions toward restructuring these programs.

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Zusammenfassung Obwohl Bildungsprogramme ausserhalb der Universität in der amerikanischen Hochschulbildung an Anzahl und Bedeutung zunehmen, wurde deren Fruchtbarkeit und geistige und entwicklungsmässige Auswirkung kaum systematisch untersucht. Das hier geschilderte Projekt vergleicht Studenten dreier Kategorien: im Ausland studierende, im Lande ausserhalb der Universität studierende und solche, die in ihrem heimischen Universitätsbetrieb geblieben sind. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung legen die Folgerung nahe, es sei angebracht, bei eingeführten Programmen zu überdenken, ob die Bildungsprogramme ausserhalb der Universität ihre Möglichkeiten voll ausschöpfen sollen. Die Verfasser machen konkrete Vorschläge für eine Neugestaltung dieser Programme.

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Résumé Tandis que l'importance et le nombre des programmes d'éducation en dehors des universités s'accroît dans l'enseignement supérieur aux Etats-Unis, peu de recherche systématique a été effetué en ce qui concerne leur efficacité et leur impact intellectuel et de développement. Le projet décrit ici a comparé des étudiants de trois catégories: ceux qui étudient à l'étranger, ceux qui étudient hors des universités à l'intérieur du pays et ceux qui sont restés dans leurs universités d'origine. Les implications des conclusions de la recherche suggèrent qu'il convient de repenser les programmes existants, si les programmes d'éducation hors des universités doivent réaliser tout leur potentiel. Les auteurs présentent des suggestions concrètes quant à la restructuration de ces programmes.

     

Climate control through ionization

This paper summarizes some of the experimental evidence of the apparent biological effects produced by atmospheric ionization. Thermionic ion sources are discussed and the results of experimental determinations of their characteristics are presented.