A review and evaluation of the Langley Research Center's Scientific and Technical Information Program. Results of phase 4: Knowledge and attitudes survey, academic and industrial personnel

Feedback from engineers and scientists in the academic and industrial community provided an assessment of the usage and perceived quality of NASA Langley generated STI and the familiarity and usage of selected NASA publications and services and identified ways to increase the accessibility of Langley STI. The questionnaire utilized both open and closed ended questions and was pretested for finalization. The questions were organized around the seven objectives for Phase IV. From a contact list of nearly 1,200 active industrial and academic researchers, approximately 600 addresses were verified. The 497 persons who agreed to participate were mailed questionnaires. The 381 completed questionnaires received by the cutoff date were analyzed. Based on the survey findings, recommendations were made for increasing the familiarity with and use of NASA and Langley STI and selected NASA publications and services. In addition, recommendations were made for increasing the accessibility of Langley STI

Faint Field Galaxies Around Bright Stars - A New Strategy for Imaging at the Diffraction Limit

This paper presents a new strategy for observing faint galaxies with high order natural guide star systems. We have imaged 5 high galactic latitude fields within the isoplanatic patch of bright stars (8.5 < R < 10.3 mag). The fields provide a rich set of faint field galaxies that are observable with a natural guide star adaptive optics system on a large telescope. Due to the small fields of many AO science cameras, these preliminary images are necessary to identify candidate galaxies. We present the photometry and positions for 78 objects (at least 40 galaxies) near five bright stars, appropriate for diffraction limited studies with the Keck and other AO systems on large ground-based telescopes. The K band seeing conditions in each field were excellent (0.4" - 0.7") allowing us to identify stars and estimate galaxy sizes. We also simulate AO images of field galaxies to determine the feasibility of infrared morphological studies at the diffraction limit. With new high order AO systems coming on line with 8-10 meter class telescopes, we believe these observations are invaluable in beginning to study faint galaxy populations at the diffraction limit.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in P.A.S.

Targeting metabolic adaptations to anti-angiogenic therapy in ovarian cancer

ABSTRACT Background: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Despite modest clinical improvements with anti-VEGF antibody (AVA) therapy, adaptive resistance is nearly ubiquitous and additional therapeutic options are limited. A dependence on glutamine metabolism, via the enzyme glutaminase (GLS), is a known mechanism of adaptive resistance. Purpose: To assess the efficacy of a glutaminase inhibitor as a means of exploiting the metabolic vulnerability of glutamine dependence that develops as a result of adaptive resistance to AVA therapy. Experimental Design: We used a glutaminase inhibitor (GLSi) synthesized at MD Anderson Cancer Center for all in vitro and in vivo experiments. We first assessed the in vitro effect of culturing ovarian cancer cell lines under hypoxic conditions and subsequently evaluated the metabolic adaptations that occurred as a result of this metabolic stress. Following this, we analyzed the effects of GLSi treatment on these cells. We then performed a series of in vivo experiments to determine the efficacy of GLSi therapy and the downstream metabolic impact of treatment. Statistical analysis of all experiments was performed using Student t test or Mann-Whitney test, as applicable, with a p value \u3c 0.05 considered significant. Results: Eight ovarian cancer cell lines were screened for glutaminase (GLS) expression with the SKOV3 cell line demonstrating the greatest expression and therefore it was utilized for all in vivo experiments. We demonstrated a significant sensitivity of these GLS-expressing cells to GLSi treatment in vitro. AVA treatment in vivo was associated with an increased abundance of glutamine in tumor tissue. Treatment with a GLSi in this setting led to a reduction in tumor growth and decreased metabolic conversion of pyruvate to lactate as assessed by hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Furthermore, GLSi therapy initiated after the emergence of AVA resistance restored sensitivity to AVA therapy as evidenced by a reduction in tumor volume and a prolongation of survival of the orthotopic mouse model. Conclusions: Our analyses indicate that alterations in glutamine metabolism occur in adaptive resistance to AVA therapy and that this can be targeted by GLSi therapy. The combination of AVA and GLSi in vivo led to robust anti-tumor responses supporting the inclusion of this combination of therapy in future clinical trials in the setting of AVA resistance

The Use of Affinity Groups by Fortune 100 Firms

We found that 66 of the Fortune 100 firms mentioned affinity groups on their websites. The most frequently mentioned themes were professional development (68%) and diversity (66%). The vast majority represent protected classes. Fifty-eight percent fell into the “legal” category; 30% fulfilled a business function in that they were targeted at people from different countries which could benefit marketing, recruiting, and retention efforts; and 13% fell into the “other” category. We present possible reasons why firms may not have them listed. We conclude by discussing SMART goals and how they can be used to make affinity groups more effective

Computer code for single-point thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen/oxygen expander-cycle rocket engines

This analysis and this computer code apply to full, split, and dual expander cycles. Heat regeneration from the turbine exhaust to the pump exhaust is allowed. The combustion process is modeled as one of chemical equilibrium in an infinite-area or a finite-area combustor. Gas composition in the nozzle may be either equilibrium or frozen during expansion. This report, which serves as a users guide for the computer code, describes the system, the analysis methodology, and the program input and output. Sample calculations are included to show effects of key variables such as nozzle area ratio and oxidizer-to-fuel mass ratio

A review and evaluation of the Langley Research Center's scientific and technical information program. Results of phase 1: Knowledge and attitudes survey, LaRC research personnel

The effectiveness of the Langley STI program was assessed using feedback obtained from Langley engineers and scientists. A survey research procedure was conducted in two stages. Personal interviews with 64 randomly selected Langley engineers and scientists were used to obtain information for questionnaire development. Data were then collected by means of the questionnaire which covered various aspects of the Langley STI program, utilized both open and closed ended questions and was pretested for finalization. The questions were organized around the six objectives for Phase 1. The completed questionnaires were analyzed. From the analysis of the data, recommendations were made for improving the Langley STI program

A Multivariate Analysis of Palatal Measurements in Four Populations

This study presents a multivariate analysis based on sets of twenty-six palatal measurements from males and females of three racial groups. The analysis examines the occurrence and degree of inter- and intrapopulational relationships. Morphological interpretations are provided whenever possible for the multivariate functions and factors identified. Additionally, discriminant functions from which individuals may be classified into their proper racial and sexual group are calculated and their degree of accuracy discussed. The data for this investigation were obtained from two skeletal collections. Representatives of Negro and White populations were provided from the Terry Collection housed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. Data from two American Indian populations, the Mobridge and Larson, were obtained from the Bass Plains Skeletal Collection housed at the Department of Anthropology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The total sample consists of palates from fifty White males and twenty-four females, fifty male and female American Negroes, and twenty-five males and females from each American Indian site. Measurements representing length, breadth, and height dimensions were taken on each palate. In addition, eight measurements were taken on each male cranium for correlation analysis. All statistical analyses of the data were carried out utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) except in the classification analysis for which discriminant functions were computed through procedures of the Biomedical Series (BMD). The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate statistical techniques including discriminant and factor analyses. The results were then examined in order to determine whether variability in palatal morphology could be identified within and between racial groups. Finally, tests of probability were used to evaluate the significance of the observed group differences. The results indicate that significant differences in palatal morphology do occur between the samples. Evidence also suggests that interpopulational differences are greater than intrapopulational differences. For both sexes, the morphological pattern may be summarized as follows: long, moderately wide and moderately deep palates in the Negro samples; short, wide and deep palates in the American Indian samples; short, narrow and shallow palates in the White samples. The evolutionary causes for these differences in palatal dimensions are not discussed in this investigation

[NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 4:] Technical communications in aerospace: An analysis of the practices reported by US and European aerospace engineers and scientists

Two pilot studies were conducted that investigated the technical communications practices of U.S. and European aerospace engineers and scientists. Both studies had the same five objectives: (1) solicit opinions regarding the importance of technical communications; (2) determine the use and production of technical communications; (3) seek views about the appropriate content of an undergraduate course in technical communications; (4) determine use of libraries, information centers, and online database; (5) determine use and importance of computer and information technology to them. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to randomly selected aerospace engineers and scientists, with a slightly modified version sent to European colleagues. Their responses to selected questions are presented in this paper

Teaching Innovation and Creativity: Turning Theory into Practice

Innovation and creativity are the lifeblood of organizations. As such, businesses expect college graduates to exhibit the skills necessary to engage in these behaviors. This research explores the concept of innovation, whether it is innate, or if the skill can be taught within the university setting, and how universities are addressing the need for, and teaching innovation. A search of the word “innovation” within educational courses found that most courses are theoretically-oriented or are efforts to cultivate entrepreneurs and/or new inventions, though some appear more practical in nature. A sampling of 50 ACBSP and AACSB accredited universities offering courses in innovation found that approximately half the universities reviewed offered courses in innovation but most courses appeared theoretical. This work contributes to the discussion of business education regarding innovation and the importance of aligning business education with organizational needs