Olivet University

In the recent years, much of the West has seen the rise of right-wing forms of authoritarian populism and their attacks on democracy and the multicultural societies. In many cases, such movements have recruited Christian traditions, ideas, and symbols into their nativist agenda. Nevertheless, the aspects of Christianity that have been functionalised have been primarily the ‘exterior’ of religion, wherein the humanistic core have all been neglected. On the basis of the Erich Fromm's understanding of the world religions' humanistic core, and informed by the Frankfurt School, I demonstrate the hollowness of the right-wing movements adoption of religion, and argue for a new form of humanistic-religious ecumenicism on the basis of the shared values, principles, and ideals that rest at the heart of religion and humanistic philosophy.

Pistachio is a sustainable nut crop with exceptional climate resilience and nutritional value. To advance pistachios as a future food source and a model system for hard-shelled fruits, we generated a chromosome-scale reference genome of the most widely grown pistachio cultivar (Pistacia vera 'Kerman') and a spatiotemporal developmental study of the hull, shell, and kernel. Our study defined four distinct stages of pistachio growth and maturation by integrating tissue-level physiological and molecular data from thousands of nuts across twenty-four time points over three growing seasons. Transcriptional and metabolic changes in the kernel elucidate molecular pathways governing nutritional quality, such as the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids, which are vital for shelf-life and dietary value. This work yields new knowledge and resources that will inform other woody crops and facilitate further improvement of pistachio as a globally significant, sustainable, and nutritious crop.

Abstract The author connects reviving her piano practice after a 20-year hiatus with her deaf right ear “learning” to hear again with a cochlear implant. She touches upon parallels between the physiology of the instrument and her own body, and how they inform the inquiry for her Leonardo CripTech Incubator/Thoughtworks Arts residency project Song Without Words.

Endodontic sealers play a vital role in providing 3-dimensional (3D) filling of complex root canal system (RCS). This study intended to compare the physical properties of a Polyurethane Expandable Sealer (PES), AH Plus and EndoSequence. Three properties including setting time, radiopacity and flow (rheology) were evaluated based on ISO 6876 standard. For evaluation of each of these physical properties, five samples from experimental groups: AH Plus, EndoSequence, PES (controlled expansion) and PES (high expansion) were used (n = 5). Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc Tukey tests (a = 0.05). EndoSequence showed the longest setting time (P < 0.000); AH Plus showed that highest radiopacity (P < 0.000); and PES (high expansion) showed the highest flow (diameter and surface area) (P < 0.000). EndoSequence and PES (controlled expansion) showed promising and comparable physical properties to the AH Plus sealer in terms of flow, setting time and radiopacity.

Abstract“Sikitita” is a relatively new olive cultivar obtained from crossbreeding between “Picual” and “Arbequina” that can be trained into the super‐high‐density orchard system. The impact of harvest time and crop season (2017 and 2018) on fruit parameters, oil quality, and minor compounds was assessed for super‐high‐density “Sikitita” in California, USA. Maximum olive fruit oil content (~49% on a dry basis) was reached between the first and second weeks of November. Quality parameters were within limits for extra virgin classification for all harvest times during both crop seasons. While total phenols were affected by harvest time, crop year, and their interaction, total volatile content was mainly influenced by harvest time. Both phenolic and volatile compounds reached a maximum concentration by the first week of October, suggesting that harvesting at the beginning of October would lead to a richer oil in terms of minor components. However, oil yield can be maximized if the harvest takes place in November. Our results demonstrated fruit parameters, oil quality, and minor compounds of super‐high‐density “Sikitita” followed a similar pattern and reached comparable values in both years, despite an earlier maturation in 2018. “Sikitita” has potential as a viable cultivar for growers and processors who are looking to expand on the traditional super‐high‐density cultivars.

The author relates the purchase by Diego Velazquez of various plots of land on Madrid’s calle del Olivar (Olive Grove Street).

I was amused to read that Microsoft's wizardly paper clips et cetera are “one of the first commercial products to come out of Microsoft's growing research department” (D. Mackenzie, News, 27 Feb., [p. 1294][1]). All the “research” required for this particular achievement was to read any of

Abstract Potato plants were grown 3 different years in noncompacted, moderately compacted, and severely compacted soils. Changes in yield and quality of tubers were measured against different levels of N and P and against soil moisture tension.Total and U. S. No. 1 tuber yields were affected adversely by compacted soil. Tuber deformity was confined to angular development conforming to the shape of adjacent clods. Second growth and growth cracks in tubers were of no consequence. No consistent change in specific gravity was found.Neither yield nor quality of the tubers was enhanced by use of N higher than 180 pounds per acre. Addition of P had no appreciable effect. Soil P reserves were high.Tuber yield and quality in all soils were best when the soil moisture tension was near 0.5 atm. At a lower tension (0.2 atm) enlarged lenticels were more prevalent, and at a higher tension (0.7 atm) the yield and percent of U. S. No. 1 tubers diminished in severely compacted soil. Without proper control of the soil moisture regime in compacted soils, loss in tuber yield and quality could be accentuated.Neither changes in fertilizer nor irrigation practices alleviated the adverse effects of soil compaction on potato yield or quality.