Measuring the Effectiveness of US Military Humanitarian Construction Projects through Geospatial Analysis of Public Opinion in Belize

As part of broader US foreign policy efforts the Department of Defense (DoD) increasingly conducts complex operations which focus on efforts to influence local populations. These \hearts and minds operations often include humanitarian and development construction projects. The wider impact on US foreign policy effort from the US military\u27s participation in projects traditionally conducted by civilian agencies is not well understood. This research examined the effects on local public opinion from two US Air Force led \Operation New Horizons Humanitarian and Civic Assistance (HCA) missions conducted in the nation of Belize in 2013 and 2014. The study specifically looked for a relationship between US led humanitarian activities and observational changes in local government performance and local attitudes towards the US. This research developed methodology to examine for these effects through geospatial analysis of the AmericasBarometer public opinion surveys already being collected at the national level. The results of this research showed the feasibility of incorporating analysis of this type of data into the evaluation of DoD humanitarian and development projects. Further, the results of this study suggest that the 2013 and 2014 New Horizons projects did not have a significant effect on local government performance. Additionally, this study found US activities to be associated with drops in both trust in the US government and US military among local populations

Re-examining the Information Systems Security Problem from a Systems Theory Perspective

This theoretical paper discusses a recent shift in cyber attackers’ interest away from traditional network and operating systems vulnerabilities and towards application level security flaws in end user systems. The authors argue that this shift signals a strong need to re-examine the way that security is addressed during the systems development process. Most of the systems development methodologies currently used do not contain formal processes for dealing with the interconnected complexity and risks associated with today’s computing environments. Using systems theory as a theoretical lens, the fundamental processes of current systems development methodologies are analyzed and weaknesses in their ability to deal with these environmental factors are discussed. The authors then present a proposed holistic framework for integrating security into existing systems development methods. The paper concludes with a discussion of the need for more scholarly research in this area and suggestions for future research directions are offered

Redefinition of salinity

Two definitions of salinity have been in use since the early part of the present century (Knudsen 1901, Forch et al. 1902). According to the procedural definition, salinity is the amount (in grams) of dissolved solid material in a kilogram of seawater after all the bromine has been replaced by an equivalent quantity of chlorine, after all the carbonate has been converted to oxide, and after all of the organic matter has been destroyed...

Whither structured representation?

The perceptual symbol system view assumes that perceptual representations have a role-argument structure. A role-argument structure is often incorporated into amodal symbol systems in order to explain conceptual functions like abstraction and rule use. The power of perceptual symbol systems to support conceptual functions is likewise rooted in its use of structure. On Barsalou's account, this capacity to use structure (in the form of frames) must be innate.</jats:p

Thin films with implemented molecular switches for the application in polymer-based optical waveguides

Complexes like iron (II)-triazoles exhibit spin crossover behavior at ambient temperature and are often considered for possible application. In previous studies, we implemented complexes of this type into polymer nanofibers and first polymer-based optical waveguide sensor systems. In our current study, we synthesized complexes of this type, implemented them into polymers and obtained composites through drop casting and doctor blading. We present that a certain combination of polymer and complex can lead to composites with high potential for optical devices. For this purpose, we used two different complexes [Fe(atrz)3](2ns)2 and [Fe(atrz)3]Cl1.5(BF4)0.5 with different polymers for each composite. We show through transmission measurements and UV/VIS spectroscopy that the optical properties of these composite materials can reversibly change due to the spin crossover effect

ADAM12 induces actin cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix reorganization during early adipocyte differentiation by regulating beta1 integrin function

Changes in cell shape are a morphological hallmark of differentiation. In this study we report that the expression of ADAM12, a disintegrin and metalloprotease, dramatically affects cell morphology in preadipocytes, changing them from a flattened, fibroblastic appearance to a more rounded shape. We showed that the highest levels of ADAM12 mRNA were detected in preadipocytes at the critical stage when preadipocytes become permissive for adipogenic differentiation. Furthermore, as assessed by immunostaining, ADAM12 was transiently expressed at the cell surface concomitant with the reduced activity of beta1 integrin. Co-immunoprecipitation studies indicated the formation of ADAM12/beta1 integrin complexes in these preadipocytes. Overexpression of ADAM12 at the cell surface of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes achieved by transient transfection or retroviral transduction led to the disappearance of the extensive network of actin stress fibers that are characteristic of these cells, and its reorganization into a cortical network located beneath the cell membrane. The cells became more rounded, exhibited fewer vinculin-positive focal adhesions, and adhered less efficiently to fibronectin in attachment assays. Moreover, ADAM12-expressing cells were more prone to apoptosis, which could be prevented by treating the cells with beta1-activating antibodies. A reduced and re-organized fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix accompanied these changes. In addition, beta1 integrin was more readily extracted with Triton X-100 from cells overexpressing ADAM12 than from control cells. Collectively, these results show that surface expression of ADAM12 impairs the function of beta1 integrins and, consequently, alters the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix. These events may be necessary for early adipocyte differentiation

The Code of Protest. Images of Peace in the West German Peace Movements, 1945-1990

The article examines posters produced by the peace movements in the Federal Republic of Germany during the ColdWar, with an analytical focus on the transformation of the iconography of peace in modernity. Was it possible to develop an independent, positive depiction of peace in the context of protests for peace and disarmament? Despite its name, the pictorial selfrepresentation of the campaign ‘Fight against Nuclear Death’ in the late 1950s did not draw on the theme of pending nuclear mass death. The large-scale protest movement in the 1980s against NATO’s 1979 ‘double-track’ decision contrasted female peacefulness with masculine aggression in an emotionally charged pictorial symbolism. At the same time this symbolism marked a break with the pacifist iconographic tradition that had focused on the victims of war. Instead, the movement presented itself with images of demonstrating crowds, as an anticipation of its peaceful ends. Drawing on the concept of asymmetrical communicative ‘codes’ that has been developed in sociological systems theory, the article argues that the iconography of peace in peace movement posters could not develop a genuinely positive vision of peace, since the code of protest can articulate the designation value ‘peace’ only in conjunction with the rejection value ‘war’

The Ets dominant repressor En/Erm enhances intestinal epithelial tumorigenesis in ApcMin mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ets transcription factors have been widely implicated in the control of tumorigenesis, with most studies suggesting tumor-promoting roles. However, few studies have examined Ets tumorigenesis-modifying functions <it>in vivo </it>using model genetic systems.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using mice expressing a previously characterized Ets dominant repressor transgene in the intestinal epithelium (Villin-En/Erm), we examined the consequences of blocking endogenous Ets-mediated transcriptional activation on tumorigenesis in the Apc^Minmodel of intestinal carcinoma.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>En/Erm expression in the intestine, at levels not associated with overt crypt-villus dysmorphogenesis, results in a marked increase in tumor number in Apc^Minanimals. Moreover, when examined histologically, tumors from En/Erm-expressing animals show a trend toward greater stromal invasiveness. Detailed analysis of crypt-villus homeostasis in these En/Erm transgenic animals suggests increased epithelial turnover as one possible mechanism for the enhanced tumorigenesis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings provide <it>in vivo </it>evidence for a tumor-restricting function of endogenous Ets factors in the intestinal epithelium.</p