cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Translating systems engineering for high school teachers and students: an exploratory study of implementing some initial SE concepts

Systems engineering is a life cycle approach to engineering design: the integration of numerous technical and non-technical disciplines toward the development of new products, systems and services. This paper describes the experiences of the authors in designing and implementing a three-year project to engage high school classes in a geographically-distributed systems engineering design project that addresses relevant, social challenges of interest to students worldwide. Collaborating with others around the world to develop a solution to an engineering problem, students are introduced to systems-thinking, team work, effective communication and other 21st century workforce skills. This innovative project aims to increase the number of students interested in pursuing engineering as a career and to increase the pool of teachers familiar with engineering design and systems thinking.
Ascent trajectories from the lunar far-side to Earth–Moon L2 halo orbits

Abstract This paper examines various design parameters for missions that ascend from the lunar far-side surface and insert into a halo orbit about the Earth–Moon L2 point. These parameters include fuel costs, ascent sites of interest such as the South Pole Aiken Basin and Tsiolkovsky Crater, different sized halo orbits, and transfer durations. Halo orbit stable manifolds are studied in the simplified Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem, and transfers are targeted and optimized in high-fidelity simulations. The design parameters studied in this paper can aid in development of mission architectures in the Earth–Moon system as well as other systems with a secondary mass without an atmosphere.
Allelopathic effects of Ceratiola ericoides (Empetraceae) on germination and survival of six Florida scrub species

Allelopathic inhibition of germination by Florida scrub plants has been demonstrated in the greenhouse and lab, but not in the field. We studied the allelopathic effects of Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) roots, leaves, and litter leachates on field germination and three-month survival of six Florida scrub species, three habitat generalists (Lechea deckertii, Palafoxia feayi, and Polygonella robusta), and three rosemary scrub specialists (Hypericum cumulicola, Lechea cernua, and Polygonella basiramia). We used AIC and model averaging to evaluate support for a series of non-exclusive hypotheses. Species varied in germination (2.7–24.6%) and survival (39.2–71%) percentages, and in their sensitivity to leachates. Germination of scrub species was most negatively affected by leaf > root > litter leachates, although not all species followed the overall trend. Additional germination suppression by leachate combinations (relative to single leachates) was minimal. Sites did not vary in germination, but seedling survival did differ among sites. This study further documents the negative impact of Florida rosemary leachates on the germination of co-occurring plant species. Allelopathy may be partly responsible for bare sand gaps in Florida rosemary scrub, and therefore be one of the forces structuring Florida rosemary scrub ecosystems.
ADSORPTION OF LIGHT HYDROCARBONS ON SPENT SHALE PRODUCED IN A COMBUSTION RETORT

Adsorption isotherms of ethane, propane, and n-butane on two different retorted oil shales were determined gravimetrically at 284.3, 293.7, and 303.2 K. The equilibrium data for these hydrocarbons were correlated with the Langmuir isotherm equation. The equilibrium adsorption data for all the hydrocarbons studied were also correlated by the modified Polanyi potential theory. A single generalized characteristic curve which correlates the equilibrium adsorption data for all three hydrocarbons was obtained by using the ratio of characteristic free energies.
On Walberg's human capital model of learning, creativity, and eminence

(1992). On Walberg's human capital model of learning, creativity, and eminence. Creativity Research Journal: Vol. 5, No. 4, pp. 341-343.
A Simple Model of Inefficient Institutions

This paper develops a simple model of economic and political institutions that lead to poor aggregate economic performance. In the model economy, groups with political power, the elite, choose policies to increase their income and to directly or indirectly transfer resources from the rest of society to themselves. The resulting equilibrium is generally inefficient because of three distinct mechanisms: (1) revenue extraction, (2) factor price manipulation and (3) political consolidation. In particular, the elite may pursue inefficient policies to extract revenue from other groups. They may do so to reduce the demand for factors coming from other groups in the economy, thus indirectly benefiting from changes in factor prices. Finally, they may try to impoverish other groups competing for political power. The elite’s preferences over inefficient policies translate into inefficient economic institutions. The notable exception to this general picture emerges when long-term investments are important, thus creating a commitment (holdup) problem, whereby equilibrium taxes and regulations are worse than the elite would like them to be from an ex ante point of view. In this case, economic institutions that provide additional security of property rights to other groups can be useful.
Size Relationships, Early Reproductive Status, and Mandibular Wear in AdultTetracha(=Megacephala)Carolina(L.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae)

Abstract Adult Tetracha carolina (L.) were active during a 15-week period at an old-field site in Washington Co., Mississippi. Seven body measurements were obtained from 398 individuals captured by barrier pitfalls, with male measurements significantly different from females except for length of the mandibles. When females first appeared, some either contained developed eggs or had recently discharged eggs, even though they were still teneral. By the end of the 15-week period, many of the mandibles of both sexes were severely damaged, some broken to a mere stub. The possible relationship of early reproductive status and rapid damage to mandibles is discussed.
Mothers' citizenship status and household food insecurity among low‐income children of immigrants

Recent data have shown that children of immigrant noncitizens experience more persistent and higher levels of food insecurity than the children of citizens following welfare reform. However, little is known about the range of factors that might explain different rates of food insecurity in the different populations. In this study, the authors used national data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten cohort to assess this question, using multivariate probit regression analyses in a low-income sample. They found that households of children (foreign and U.S.-born) with noncitizen mothers are at substantially greater risk of food insecurity than their counterparts with citizen mothers and that demographic characteristics such as being Latina, levels of maternal education, and large household size explain about half of the difference in rates. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seizure suppression by EEG-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the rat

Objective To test the anticonvulsive potential of a range of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) frequencies by novel methods for simultaneous EEG and rTMS in a rat seizure model.
Possible or Probable? An Experiential Approach to Probability Literacy

This paper presents the design for and results from an experiential learning activity for beginning statistics or decision analysis students. University students in a required business statistics class are given the task of asking subjects to rank 10 commonly heard uncertainty phrases words such as “possible” and “probable” in order from those that convey the most likelihood to those that indicate the least. The learning goals are communication, analysis of field results, and reflection upon the experience, and these are accomplished while exploring the concepts of subjective probability assessment as they are being learned in class. Students report their results and write a reflective report that covers their findings, the experience of working with participants, and, most importantly, their insights about language and the public's understanding of uncertainty. As students realize that those who assess probability are not always those who use the assessments for decision making, they become aware of the potential for confusion. The purpose of this article is not to conduct a statistical study of the rankings of the phrases, but rather to discuss the value of this experiential learning assignment for beginning students.
A comparison of MHD simulations of magnetotail dynamics

The accuracy of two resistive MHD codes based on very different methods is studied by simulating the same problem of plasmoid formation and ejection in the geomagnetic tail initiated by resistive diffusion, using identical initial and boundary conditions and a 2-D approximation. One of the codes is a modified explicit leapfrog scheme, which has been used extensively in the past for similar problems. The other scheme is an implicit particle-in-cell MHD code (FLIP-MHD). The results from both schemes agree within a few percent in all major characteristics: onset and growth rate of the instability, formation and tailward motion of a plasmoid, scale size of the perturbation and details of the mode structures. FLIP, however, predicts a slightly slower tailward motion of the plasmoid. Both simulations exhibit highly variable earthward flow from the reconnection site with similar averages and similar fluctuation levels, resembling observed bursty bulk flows. Due to differences in the phase of these fluctuations, however, the instantaneous flow may differ in the two simulations.
Nondestructive detection of fatigue cracks in PM 304 stainless steel by internal friction and elasticity

A resonant frequency mechanical vibration method was used to nondestructively detect fatigue crack initiation in notched 304 stainless steel samples prepared by powder metallurgy. This method allowed the determination of an effective elastic modulus and the direct measurement of internal friction. Changes in the modulus and internal friction were found to correlate well with the presence of 50 μm long fatigue cracks. The length of the through cracks initiated at the notch was measured using surface replicas, which were examined in a scanning electron microscope. Small crack growth rate data were also obtained and plotted versus the stress intensity factor. The crack growth rates were compared with long crack data performed on compact tension samples of this material. The short cracks grew at intensity factors below the long crack threshold stress intensity factor.
A PHYSIOLOGIST’S PERSPECTIVE ON ROBOTIC EXOSKELETONS FOR HUMAN LOCOMOTION

Technological advances in robotic hardware and software have enabled powered exoskeletons to move from science fiction to the real world. The objective of this article is to emphasize two main points for future research. First, the design of future devices could be improved by exploiting biomechanical principles of animal locomotion. Two goals in exoskeleton research could particularly benefit from additional physiological perspective: (i) reduction in the metabolic energy expenditure of the user while wearing the device, and (ii) minimization of the power requirements for actuating the exoskeleton. Second, a reciprocal potential exists for robotic exoskeletons to advance our understanding of human locomotor physiology. Experimental data from humans walking and running with robotic exoskeletons could provide important insight into the metabolic cost of locomotion that is impossible to gain with other methods. Given the mutual benefits of collaboration, it is imperative that engineers and physiologists work together in future studies on robotic exoskeletons for human locomotion.
Estimate of the Incoherent-Scattering Contribution to Lidar Backscatter from Clouds

Lidar backscatter from clouds in the Delft University of Technology experiment is complicated by the fact that the transmitter has a narrow beam width, whereas the receiver has a much wider one. The issue here is whether reception of light scattered incoherently by cloud particles can contribute appreciably to the received power. The incoherent contribution can come from within as well as from outside the transmitter beam but in any case is due to at least two scattering processes in the cloud that are not included in the coherent forward scatter that leads to the usual exponentially attenuated contribution from single-particle backscatter. It is conceivable that a sizable fraction of the total received power within the receiver beam width is due to such incoherent-scattering processes. The ratio of this contribution to the direct (but attenuated) reflection from a single particle is estimated here by means of a distorted-Born approximation to the wave equation (with an incident cw monochromatic wave) and by comparison of the magnitude of the doubly scattered to that of the singly scattered flux. The same expressions are also obtained from a radiative-transfer formalism. The ratio underestimates incoherent multiple scattering when it is not small. Corrections that are due to changes in polarization are noted
A Transcriptional Defect Underlies B Lymphocyte Dysfunction in a Patient Diagnosed with Non-X-Linked Hyper-IgM Syndrome

To establish the underlying cause of hyper-IgM syndrome in one female patient, B cell function was examined in response to CD40- and IL-4-mediated pathways. When CD40-induced functional responses were measured in unfractionated B cells, CD80 up-regulation, de novo Cμ-Cγ recombination, and Iγ transcription were all found to be relatively unaffected. However, CD40- and IL-4-mediated CD23 up-regulation and VDJ-Cγ transcription were clearly diminished compared to control cells. IL-4-induced CD23 expression was measurably reduced in the CD20 − population as well. These results suggested that the patient’s defect is positioned downstream of CD40 contact and affects both CD40 − and IL-4 signal transduction pathways. Further analysis of B cell function in CD19 + B cells revealed a clear B cell defect with respect to Iγ and mature VDJ-Cγ transcription and IgG expression. However, under the same conditions Ie transcription was relatively normal. Partial restoration of B cell function occurred if PBMC or CD19 + B cells were cultured in vitro in the presence of CD154 plus IL-4. Because addition of IL-4 to cocultures containing activated T cells failed to induce B cells to undergo differentiation, the ability of the patient’s B cells to acquire a responsive phenotype correlated with receiving a sustained signal through CD40. These findings support a model in which the patient expresses an intrinsic defect that is manifested in the failure of specific genes to become transcriptionally active in response to either CD154 or IL-4 and results in a functionally unresponsive B cell phenotype.
On new stochastic approaches for solving forward and backward problems of biochemical networks

There are two distinct problems in the stochastic analysis of biochemical networks, and they are known as the forward and inverse problems. Solutions of the former problem are used for simulating a system of molecular species in time according to the random laws that govern the reactions in which the species participate. Solutions of the latter problem provide estimates of the unknowns in the system that is represented by the biochemical network. The estimates are obtained from measurements that are functions of the number of molecules of some of the species. In the two problems, we have underlying assumptions about the probabilistic models of the studied network. In this paper we present two new methods for addressing these problems. For solving the forward problem we propose a method that does not employ Monte Carlo simulations, whereas for solving the inverse problem we use particle filtering.
Don’t Just Widen One Lens; Instead Use Many A Response to Cerulli, Conte, Cromer and Newman, and Mulla and Hlavka

This paper responds to the commentaries offered by Mulla and Hlavka, Conte, Cerulli, and Cromer and Newman. We reflect on their differing points of view, attempt clarifications, and then re-state our central concern in regard to research ethics in studies of violence against women. We think that IRB-oriented approaches suffer from too much rule adherence, too much focus on doing things the right way and too little attention to the larger ethical question of to how figure out the right things to do. We continue to raise concern about inept research as potentially damaging to a class of persons, not to the specific subjects of any particular study. Thus, we see not just a matter of poor design, mishandling of analyses, or even of clumsy inferences from the data in some research; these errors are correctible by better training and review. But these errors also have the potential for misleading the public and policy makers and thus suggest ethical dimensions to clumsy work. We conclude by proposing use of wid...
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for the Prevention of Transitional Cell Carcinoma Implantation

Purpose: Tumor spillage from bladder perforation during transurethral resection of a bladder tumor or during cystectomy risks seeding the peritoneum with TCC. Current therapy is irrigation with sterile water with an unknown extent of clinical benefit. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for other human cancers has demonstrable benefit but to our knowledge it has never been investigated for TCC. We investigated whether intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prevent TCC implantation in a murine model of tumor spillage and whether water irrigation is beneficial.Materials and Methods: Laparotomy was performed in 28 Fischer 344 rats (National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland) to instill 1 × 106 AY-27 TCC cells. Mitomycin (10 mg/m2) was instilled in 9 rats and saline was used in the control group. A third group underwent lavage with sterile water. At sacrifice after 2 weeks tumors were measured in mm2 and weighed. A followup experiment of 4-week survival used 5 mg/m2 mitomycin and added a fourth group treated with wate...
Drinking carrot juice increases total antioxidant status and decreases lipid peroxidation in adults

High prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular disease is attributable to sedentary lifestyle and eating diets high in fat and refined carbohydrate while eating diets low in fruit and vegetables. Epidemiological studies have confirmed a strong association between eating diets rich in fruits and vegetables and cardiovascular health. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether drinking fresh carrot juice influences antioxidant status and cardiovascular risk markers in subjects not modifying their eating habits. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of consuming 16 fl oz of daily freshly squeezed carrot juice for three months on cardiovascular risk markers, C-reactive protein, insulin, leptin, interleukin-1α, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde production. Fasting blood samples were collected pre-test and 90 days afterward to conclude the study. Drinking carrot juice did not affect (P > 0.1) the plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo A, Apo B, LDL, HDL, body fat percentage, insulin, leptin, interleukin-1α, or C-reactive protein. Drinking carrot juice decreased (P = 0.06) systolic pressure, but did not influence diastolic pressure. Drinking carrot juice significantly (P < 0.05) increased the plasma total antioxidant capacity and decreased (P < 0.05) the plasma malondialdehyde production. Drinking carrot juice may protect the cardiovascular system by increasing total antioxidant status and by decreasing lipid peroxidation independent of any of the cardiovascular risk markers measured in the study.
African American and White Mothers’ Substance Abuse, Depression, and Criminality as Risk Factors for Child Behavior Problems:

This study, using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, examines the correlation among maternal substance abuse, depression, and criminality and their impact on child behavior problems within a sample of African American and White mothers. Results show that maternal depression is the strongest predictor of child behavior problems. Race was significantly associated with income, a mother's age at the time of her first child's birth, and depression. Implications for practice include the need for practitioners to prioritize the treatment of maternal depression when working with children who have behavior problems and to not look at race as a cultural descriptor alone, but rather to consider how it may be associated with other risk factors for child behavior problems.
Grazing Effects on Plants and Soil

Grazing animals affect individual plants and plant communities in several interrelated ways, including plant defoliation, with effects on both plant morphology and physiology; mechanical impacts on soil and plant materials through trampling; and nutrient removal and redistribution through excreta. Several novel hypotheses have been proposed to explain the potentially beneficial effects of herbivory that have often been related to the following responses observed in various forage plant species following defoliation: compensatory or increased photosynthetic rates by residual foliage, accelerated growth rates, modified carbohydrate allocation patterns, and enhanced nutrient absorption. The long-term effects of grazing on plants will largely depend not only on their inherent morphological and physiological characteristics but also on their adaptation to local environmental factors and on the relative effects of grazing on associated plants and plant species. Grazing by large herbivores increases nutrient cycling rates by reducing particle size but also by accelerating the rate of nutrient conversion, from an organic to inorganic form available to plants. The management goal should be to keep manure evenly distributed over the grazing land unit to maintain uniform soil fertility.
Control of the direction of lamellipodia extension through changes in the balance between Rac and Rho activities.

The direction in which cells extend new motile processes, such as lamellipodia and filopodia, can be controlled by altering the geometry of extracel- lular matrix adhesive islands on which individual cells are cultured, thereby altering mechanical interactions be- tween cells and the adhesive substrate (Parker (2002)). Here we specifically investigate the intracellular molecu- lar signals that mediate the mechanism by which cells selectively extend these processes from the corners of polygonal-shaped adhesive islands. Constitutive activa- tion of the small GTPase Rac within cells cultured on square-shaped islands of fibronectin resulted in the elim- ination of preferential extension from corners. This loss of directionality was accompanied by a re-distribution of focal adhesions: the large focal adhesions normally found within the corner regions of square cells were lost and replaced by many smaller focal contacts that were distributed along the entire cell perimeter. Inhibition of the small GTPase, Rho, using C3 exoenzyme blocked lamellipodia extension entirely. However, inhibition of Rho signaling in combination with ectopic Rac activa- tion rescued the corner localization of motile processes and focal adhesions. These results suggest that the ability of cells to sense their physical surroundings and respond by moving in a spatially oriented manner is mediated by a balance between Rho and Rac activities.
Connectivity and Convergence: A Whimsical History of Internet Culture

The authors construct a timeline of critical events leading up to today’s highly networked and interconnected world with its ubiquitous social media technologies. The current state has been influenced by advances in media, technology, military defense, and commerce. One trend that stands out in this timeline is the increasing rate of change. There are more innovations today than at any time in human history. It also becomes apparent that the companies that will survive are the ones that are sensitive to changes in the competitive environment and can adapt. The companies that value creativity and diversity, including diversity of ideas, in their hires are the ones most likely to thrive.
Resisting the Sirens: Fiscal Rules and Their Uses

Experience with fiscal rules suggests they can help policy makers balance the need for fiscal prudence and sustainable commitments with the sirens’ call to meet immediate demands and do what is popular. However, reviews of that experience also suggest that: (1) implementation of and adherence to a fiscal rule requires a good deal of political will; and (2) it is nearly impossible to determine whether countries using fiscal rules are already more likely to be more fiscally responsible than countries without rules, or whether it is the rule itself that results in a more fiscally responsible country. Adherence to any strong fiscal rule will depend quite simply on whether it is grounded in public consensus about what constitutes sound fiscal policy. In the U.S. the traditional consensus that supported fiscal discipline in the past has evaporated. The first task of U.S. leaders prepared to bind themselves to a fiscal rule is to help restore a national norm of fiscal responsibility.
The Reduced Benefit of Contributing Intangibles After the 2003 Tax Act

This article describes the effect the 2003 Tax Act has on the cost of donating intangibles. The cost of donating is analyzed based on marginal tax rates and the basis of the contributed property as a percentage of the market value. Overall, the results reveal that it is more costly to donate after the 2003 Tax Act because of the lower income and capital gain tax rates.
Single fiber identification with nondestructive excitation-emission spectral cluster analysis.

Identification methods for single textile fibers are in demand for forensic applications, and nondestructive methods with minimal pretreatment have the greatest potential for utility. Excitation–emission luminescence data provide a three-dimensional matrix for comparison of single-fiber dyes, and these data are enhanced by principal component analysis and comparison of fibers using a statistical figure of merit. No dye extraction methods are required to sample the spectra from a single fiber. This approach has been applied to the analysis of single fibers to compare closely matched dye pairs, acid blue (AB) 25 and 41 and direct blue (DB) 1 and 53. In all cases, the accuracy of fiber identification was high and no false positive identifications were made.
Study on the ability of RBC immune adhering to tumor cell in lead poisoning children

[Objective] To study the changes of RBC immunofunction, especially of RBC immune adhering to tumor cell in lead poisoning children. [Methods] RBC-C3bRR and RBC-ICRR were typically analysised by activated yeast red cell agglutination test; Yet immune adherence test mediated by C3b was used to study RIT. [Results] The immunofunction of RBC in lead poisoning children is significantly lower than that in the controls, which was mainly indicated through the evident reduction of RBC-C3bRR and RIT, as well as evident increase of RBC-ICRR. [Conclusion] The immunofunction of RBC in lead poisoning children is weak, and the important reason probably is that the lead has damaged the activity of RBC membrane.
Summary and Conclusion of Chinese Ultra High Voltage AC Porcelain Housed Metal Oxide Surge Arrester's Development and Type Test

1000 kV ultra high voltage (UHV) AC metal oxide surge arresters (MOA) with porcelain housings as the first product in the international is one of the most important equipment for 1000 kV UHV AC systems. As a result of use four-post resistors parallel structure and its total height exceeds 10 m,its performance requirements and test methods is very different from the traditional 750 kV and below MOA. Type test (design test) is to verify the product design can meet the technical specifications for all the test requirements. This article details the state grid 1000 kV UHV AC demonstration project MOA technical specifications ,test methods,the type test result of all factory products,focus on the reasonableness of the test methods ,put forward a series of rationalization proposals for its standard-setting work.
Seismic investigation of a san francisco bay mud site

abstract Measurements were made of the shear- and compressional-wave velocities necessary to determine the seismic response of a site on the edge of the San Francisco Bay, California. The shear wave is the most difficult to isolate because of the complications of earlier arriving energy. Downhole and surface measurements yielded shear-wave velocities of 90 to 130 m/sec and compressional-wave velocities of 1,400 m/sec for soft mud. The underlying older sediments had interval shear-wave velocities of 270 to 380 m/sec, increasing with depth. The corresponding P velocities for the older sediments were 1,600 to 1,840 m/sec. The horizontal traction technique of shear-wave generation proved to be the most successful of the methods tested.
Influenza SIRS with Minimal Pneumonitis.

While systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), is a known complication of severe influenza pneumonia, it has been reported very rarely in patients with minimal parenchymal lung disease. We here report a case of severe SIRS, anasarca and marked vascular phenomena with minimal or no pneumonitis. This case highlights that viruses, including influenza, may cause vascular dysregulation causing SIRS, even without substantial visceral organ involvement.
Local, Domain-independent Heuristics for the FEIII Challenge: Lessons and Observations

The recently concluded Financial Entity Identification and Information Integration (FEIII) competition is an example of a domain-specific entity linking challenge. Given a variety of datasets describing financial institutions, the goal of the competition was to interlink entities referring to the same underlying entity in a minimally supervised manner. In this paper, we present our solution to the challenge. Using local, domain-independent heuristics, namely thresholded block purging and a simple Jaccard matcher, we devised a solution that has execution times of less than a minute on the alloted tasks. Although the method did not achieve competitive precision, it was recall-friendly, suggesting that it is useful both as an easily implemented baseline, as well as a generic preprocessing step for more expensive, precision-friendly algorithms that are fine-tuned for specific domains.
Expression of glial CBP in steroid mediated neuroprotection in male and female zebra finches

Under neurodegenerative conditions, reactive astrocytes upregulate both aromatase (estrogen synthase) as well as estrogen and androgen receptors. This increased steroidogenic signal promotes neuroprotection and repair by promoting neurogenesis and decreasing cell death, but also by modulating the release of inflammatory molecules. Thus, endocrine - immune cross-talk is an essential component of estrogen mediated neuroprotection following brain injury. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this cross-talk remains unknown. cAMP response element-binding protein-binding protein (CBP) may be involved in the modulation of both the endocrine and inflammatory response following injury. CBP acts as both an estrogen receptor (ER) coactivator and as a promotor for NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) target genes and previous data suggests that ER and NF-κB compete for CBP. When CBP is displaced, target genes for NF-κB are repressed and inflammation is decreased. To test the role of CBP following injury, we examined CBP expression following penetrating injury in adult male and female zebra finches. Using immunohistochemistry, we were able to specifically examine glial CBP expression, as glial cells are important mediators of the neuroendocrine response to damage. Male but not female zebra finches upregulated glial CBP following damage to the brain. To determine if this upregulation was estrogen dependent, we decreased local estrogen levels with fadrozole (aromatase inhibitor) and reexamined glial CBP expression following injury. Aromatase inhibition resulted in no change in overall glial CBP expression suggesting that circulating estrogens do not mediate the upregulation of glial CBP following injury. Thus CBP may play a role in the both the estrogen and immune response to injury.
Sexual communication and seroadaptation practices in HIV-negative midlife and older men who have sex with men

ABSTRACTAdvances in treatments have increased the longevity of people with HIV. The high prevalence of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) creates a greater risk for exposure that increases with age. Seroadaptation, which includes serosorting (sexual behavior and condom use based on knowing the serostatus of self and partners) and strategic sexual positioning (choosing receptive versus insertive anal sex), is sometimes used as an HIV risk-reduction strategy. This study examined seroadaptation, sexual communication, and HIV-risk behaviors in 420 sexually active HIV-negative MSM aged 40–81 years in South Florida via anonymous pen-and-paper questionnaire. Recreational drug use and serosorting (i.e., not using condoms if the partner said he was HIV-negative) were associated with higher risk for unprotected receptive anal intercourse. Younger age, greater number of partners, and serosorting were associated with higher risk for unprotected insertive anal intercourse. Understanding these behaviors in this ...
Type systems as macros

We present Turnstile, a metalanguage for creating typed embedded languages. To implement the type system, programmers write type checking rules resembling traditional judgment syntax. To implement the semantics, they incorporate elaborations into these rules. Turnstile critically depends on the idea of linguistic reuse. It exploits a macro system in a novel way to simultaneously type check and rewrite a surface program into a target language. Reusing a macro system also yields modular implementations whose rules may be mixed and matched to create other languages. Combined with typical compiler and runtime reuse, Turnstile produces performant typed embedded languages with little effort.
Survival Factor Stimulates ERK-Dependent Phosphorylation of BIM Inhibiting Its Association with BAX and Pro-Apoptotic Activity.

Growth factors and cytokines signal survival through their cognate receptors, activating signaling pathways often composed of protein kinase cascades. On the other hand, inadequate growth factor initiates a signaling cascade that leads to cell death. Both pro-and anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members lie downstream of these proximal signals. The “multi-domain” BCL-2 members either suppress (e.g., BCL-2, BCL-X L ) or promote apoptosis (e.g., BAX, BAK), whereas the “BH3-only” subfamily members identified to date (e.g., BAD, BID, BIM) function to promote cell death. It has become clear that BH3-only proteins are upstream initiators of apoptosis. BIM was identified as a BH3-only protein that induces apoptosis and can be antagonized by anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. Studies in BIM-deficient mice/cells indicate important roles for BIM in hematopoietic cell homeostasis. In the present study, an siRNA knockdown of BIM confirms this BH3-only member is important for the cytokine-mediated homeostasis of hematopoietic cells. We show that the phosphorylation status of BIM controls its pro-apoptotic activity. Interleukin-3 (IL-3), a hematopoietic survival factor, induces ERK/MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of BIM on three serine sites (Ser55, Ser65, Ser100). IL-3 withdrawal results in the dephosphorylation of BIM and only non-phosphorylated BIM interacts with the multi-domain pro-apoptotic effector BAX. Phosphorylation of BIM upon exposure of cells to IL-3 dramatically reduces the BIM/BAX interaction. A non-phosphorylatable BIM molecule (S55A, S65A, S100A) demonstrates enhanced interaction with BAX and enhanced pro-apoptotic activity. Thus, ERK/MAPK-dependent phosphorylation of BIM in response to survival factor regulates BIM/BAX interaction and the pro-death activity of BIM.
H in rutile-type compounds: I. Single-crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction study of H in rutile

The crystal structure of natural hydrous rutile from a mantle eclogite nodule has been refined from single-crystal neutron diffraction data collected at 24 K. The chemical composition was 95.52 wt% Ti02, 0.74 wt% Fe203, 0.68 wt% A1203, 1.16 wt% Cr203, 1.86 wt% Nb205, and 0.04 wt% MnO, with approximately 13000 ppm OH-, as estimated by IR spectroscopy. The position of the H atom was located by examining the negative residuals in the difference Fourier maps. The refined position is near the shared edge of the cation octahedron at xl a = 0.42(1), ylb = 0.50(1), and zlc = 0 with a site occupancy of 2.7%, which is consistent with the H concentration estimated by IR spectroscopy. The O-H bond distance is 1.05 A and the OH vector is in the (001) plane, which is consistent with the strong w-polarization of the OH absorption observed in the IR spectra. Single-crystal X-ray data were collected from a synthetic anhydrous rutile crystal and a hydrous rutile crystal from the same mantle nodule as the sample used in the neutron study. The detailed X-ray structures of both rutiles were compared and no significant differences were found; the ale ratios and the 0 position were identical within error. Therefore, we conclude that the addition of H into rutile for the purpose of charge-balancing excess 3 + cations does not significantly change the structure.
Presidential Address 1987: Democratization and the Problem of Legitimacy in Middle East Politics

When I told some of my colleagues and students that I wanted to address the question of democratization in Middle East politics at the annual meeting, I was not surprised at their reactions, which were mainly incredulous. If ever a topic were passe, surely it was this one. Not only was the experience of parliamentary democracy brief and unhappy, it also had ended by the middle 1950s. Furthermore, the liberal modernization paradigm that had underpinned earlier forecasts of democracy was itself largely discarded. In addition, my friends argued, how could I try to make a case for democratization when my own writing on Arab politics portrayed fragmented, disoriented societies and unstructured, insecure political environments in which the race between societal demands and state capabilities—no matter which side was “ahead”—could hardly be conducive to democracy. Skeptical colleagues from Egypt and other Arab countries also raised the troublesome question of academic and ideological ethnocentrism: should one even ask about prospects for democratization?
Noise and LPI radar as part of counter-drone mitigation system measures

With the rapid proliferation of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in the national airspace, small operational drones are being sometimes considered as a security threat for critical infrastructures, such as sports stadiums, military facilities, and airports. There have been many civilian counter-drone solutions and products reported, including radar and electromagnetic counter measures. For the current electromagnetic solutions, they are usually limited to particular type of detection and counter-measure scheme, which is usually effective for the specific type of drones. Also, control and communication link technologies used in even RC drones nowadays are more sophisticated, making them more difficult to detect, decode and counter. Facing these challenges, our team proposes a “software-defined” solution based on noise and LPI radar. For the detection, wideband-noise radar has the resolution performance to discriminate possible micro-Doppler features of the drone versus biological scatterers. It also has the benefit of more adaptive to different types of drones, and covertly detecting for security application. For counter-measures, random noise can be combined with “random sweeping” jamming scheme, to achieve the optimal balance between peak power allowed and the effective jamming probabilities. Some theoretical analysis of the proposed solution is provided in this study, a design case study is developed, and initial laboratory experiments, as well as outdoor tests are conducted to validate the basic concepts and theories. The study demonstrates the basic feasibilities of the Drone Detection and Mitigation Radar (DDMR) concept, while there are still much work needs to be done for a complete and field-worthy technology development.
Financial Flexibility and Manager-Shareholder Conflict

We show empirically that the use of unsecured debt, which contains standardized covenants that place limits on total leverage and the use of secured debt, is associated with lower and more stable leverage outcomes. We then show that firm value is sensitive to leverage levels and leverage stability, decreasing in the former and increasing in the latter. Our results suggest that unsecured debt covenants function as a managerial commitment device that preserves the firm's debt capacity to enhance financial flexibility.
Primary Care in the Home: The Independence at Home Demonstration

As our healthcare delivery system moves toward a population-based model, there is growing appreciation that resource utilization and costs are heavily skewed to those individuals with multiple chronic conditions and increasing immobility. Therefore, innovations are focused on restructuring the delivery system and creating new payment mechanisms to promote more home- and community-based care with the intent of improving clinical efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The Independence at Home (IAH) Demonstration under CMS is a program that targets high-cost, frail elders, creates an interdisciplinary home-based primary care service delivery model designed to meet their needs, and funds these programs through a combination of fee-for-service and shared savings payments contingent on surpassing a 5% savings threshold and meeting predetermined quality metrics. IAH has shown considerable promise in its first 2 years of reported data. Research has shown that the eligibility criteria for IAH defined a cohort representing an average of 6.6% of the Medicare population, with an average annual expenditure of $54,000, which is 5× the per capita mean of $9900, and representing about 30% of all spending. This population also accounts for 24% of all hospitalizations, 44% of all 30-day readmissions, and 23% of all nursing home admissions. The demonstration has saved nearly $33M over the first 2 years, covering 10,000 beneficiaries, with approximately $17M shared with those practices whose savings crossed the minimum savings requirement threshold. All of the participating practices met the minimum quality threshold, and 4 of the 17 practices met all 6 quality indicators. Legislative efforts are underway to bring these programs to the mainstream of medical practice and to bring home- and community-based care to the forefront of healthcare delivery.
Reply to Miller: Misunderstanding and mix-up of acoustic and optical communications

In a Letter in PNAS, Miller (1) comments on our work on high-speed acoustic communication (2) by stating “using optical angular momentum (OAM) beams.” This clearly is a misunderstanding by the author: we did not use optical angular momentum; rather, we use the acoustic wave modulation. The author also misunderstands the OAM as “optical angular momentum,” while we clearly state in the manuscript that OAM refers to “orbital angular momentum,” which is well defined and well known in the scientific community (3). Even though acoustics and optics share many fundamental similarities, their practical applications have very different environmental constrains. For long-range underwater communication, optical waves suffer … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: chengzhi.shi{at}berkeley.edu or xiang{at}berkeley.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
What’s beyond capitalist natures? The view from a camel’s back:

The authors’ formulation ‘capitalist natures’ may be too quick to imply that the formal and/or real subsumption of all natures is in the process of being accomplished. I point toward liminal and dynamic cases, such as camels in pastoral production systems, to trouble the mental model of a spatialized ‘outside’ that is either simply colonized by or subsidizing capitalist relations.
Height–income association in developing countries: Evidence from 14 countries

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess whether the height-income association is positive in developing countries, and whether income differences between shorter and taller individuals in developing countries are explained by differences in endowment (ie, taller individuals have a higher income than shorter individuals because of characteristics such as better social skills) or due to discrimination (ie, shorter individuals have a lower income despite having comparable characteristics). Methods Instrumental variable regression, Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, quantile regression, and quantile decomposition analyses were applied to a sample of 45 108 respondents from 14 developing countries represented in the Research on Early Life and Aging Trends and Effects (RELATE) study. Results For a one-centimeter increase in country- and sex-adjusted median height, real income adjusted for purchasing power parity increased by 1.37%. The income differential between shorter and taller individuals was explained by discrimination and not by differences in endowments; however, the effect of discrimination decreased at higher values of country- and sex-adjusted height. Conclusions Taller individuals in developing countries may realize higher income despite having characteristics similar to those of shorter individuals.
Global metabolite profiling analysis of lipotoxicity in HER2/neu-positive breast cancer cells

Recent work has shown that HER2/neu-positive breast cancer cells rely on a unique Warburg-like metabolism for survival and aggressive behavior. These cells are dependent on fatty acid (FA) synthesis, show markedly increased levels of stored fats and disruption of the synthetic process results in apoptosis. In this study, we used global metabolite profiling and a multi-omics network analysis approach to model the metabolic changes in this physiology under palmitate-supplemented growth conditions to gain insights into the molecular mechanism and its relevance to disease prevention and treatment. Computational analyses were used to define pathway enrichment based on the dataset of significantly altered metabolites and to integrate metabolomics and transcriptomics data in a multi-omics network analysis. Network-predicted changes and functional relationships were tested with cell assays in vitro. Palmitate-supplemented growth conditions induce distinct metabolic alterations. Growth of HER2-normal MCF7 cells is unaffected under these conditions whereas HER2/neu-positive cells display unchanged neutral lipid content, AMPK activation, inhibition of fatty acid synthesis and significantly altered glutamine, glucose and serine/glycine metabolism. The predominant upregulated lipid species is the novel bioactive lipid N-palmitoylglycine, which is non-toxic to these cells. Limiting the availability of glutamine significantly ameliorates the lipotoxic effects of palmitate, reduces CHOP and XBP1(s) induction and restores the expression levels of HER2 and HER3. The study shows that HER2/neu-positive breast cancer cells change their metabolic phenotype in the presence of palmitate. Palmitate induces AMPK activation and inhibition of fatty acid synthesis that feeds back into glycolysis as well as anaplerotic glutamine metabolism.