cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Spread: Quantifying Local Stationarity

Abstract Hedges, Robert A., and Suter, Bruce W., Numerical Spread: Quantifying Local Stationarity, Digital Signal Processing 12 (2002) 628–643 One of the fundamental assumptions in signal processing is that of signal stationarity; i.e., the statistics of all orders are not time dependent. Many real data sets are not stationary but can, however, be described as locally stationary; that is, they appear stationary over finite time intervals. We develop numerical spread as a means of quantifying local stationarity. Based on the theoretical spread as introduced by W. Kozek and colleagues the numerical spread provides a means for quantifying potential correlation between signal elements. Implementation of such a scheme on finite, discrete data, requires the augmentation of the associated covariance matrix. Three augmentation methods were investigated: zero padding, circular extension, and edge replication. It was determined that the method of edge replication is most desirable. The theoretical techniques estimate the spread as the rectangular region of support of the associated expected ambiguity function oriented parallel to the axes. By applying Radon transform techniques we can produce a parameterized model which describes the orientation of the region of support providing tighter estimates of the signal spread. Examples are provided that illustrate the utility of numerical spread and the enhancement resulting from the new methods.
Solar Flare Doppler Blueshifted Soft X-Ray Emission and Hard X-Ray Bursts

Hard X-ray emission and the dynamics of soft X-ray emitting plasma are among the most immediate manifestations of solar flare energy release. To understand better the early impulsive phase of solar flare energy release, we have examined Ca XIX and Fe XXV soft X-ray resonance line spectra that exhibit strong blue-wing asymmetries from 32 flares. These spectra were obtained with the Bragg Crystal Spectrometer on the Japanese Yohkoh spacecraft, which is up to 10 times more sensitive than previously flown crystal spectrometers. The increased sensitivity allowed the comparison of Doppler blueshifted X-ray emission to hard X-ray emission observed with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory's Burst and Transient Source Experiment, the Yohkoh Wide Band Spectrometer, and Yohkoh Hard X-Ray Telescope. We found that (1) hard X-ray burst light curves and resonance line blue-wing light curves are similar for most flares that exhibit strong blueshifts; (2) the time evolution of the intensity ratio of the blue wing to the peak unshifted spectral component resembles higher energy hard X-ray emission more closely than the blue-wing light curve alone; (3) though many flares had blue-wing/resonance peak ratios that resembled or peaked at the same time as the hard X-ray burst, nearly one-third of the flares exhibited ratio curves that either were nonzero before the detection of burst hard X-rays or peaked before the hard X-ray burst peaked—a few of these flares exhibited small blueshifted line profiles before the detection of hard X-ray emission; (4) a few flares with strong blueshifts had little or no detectable emission above 30 keV; and (5) the time derivative of the resonance peak emission usually resembles the blue-wing light curve. The implication of these results for current flare models is discussed.
Modeling bubbles and dissolved gases in the ocean

[1] We report on the development of a bubble concentration model and a dissolved gas concentration model for the oceanic boundary layer. The bubble model solves a set of concentration equations for multiple gases in bubbles of different sizes, and the dissolved gas concentration model simulates the evolution of dissolved gases and dissolved inorganic carbon. The models include the effects of advection, diffusion, bubble buoyant rising, bubble size changes, gas exchange between bubbles and ambient water, and chemical reactions associated with the dissolution of CO2. The formulation consistency and the numerical accuracy are shown by the good agreement with a model describing individual bubble behavior in a test simulating the evolution of a bubble cloud released in the water. To study the bubble and dissolved gas evolution after a single wave-breaking event, the models are coupled with a fluid dynamical Direct Numerical Simulation model with spatially and temporally distributed momentum and bubble injection for a typical breaking wave. The modeled bubble size spectrum compares well with laboratory measurements. The breaker-induced vortex not only advects the bubble-induced dissolved gas anomalies downstream but also entrains the surface diffusion layer to greater depth. Due to the hydrostatic pressure and surface tension exerted on bubbles, gases inside bubbles are able to dissolve in slightly supersaturated water. When the water is highly supersaturated, bubbles add to the venting of dissolved gases.
Extending the Conversational Argument Coding Scheme: Argument Categories, Units, and Coding Procedures

The Conversational Argument Scheme (CAS) has been shaped by a host of researcher colleagues. Each revision has attempted to improve the scheme, apply it in a different context, or submit its data to unique analyses. All of these combined efforts have increased the scheme's utility, reliability, and validity. As part of this series of articles that trace the history of the CAS and speculate on its future, three revisions to the scheme are discussed: (a) adding categories, (b) establishing unitizing rules, and (c) creating a multistage coding process. The benefits and limits of these extensions are discussed and directions for future work involving the CAS suggested.
The Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein/α2-Macroglobulin Receptor Regulates Cell Surface Plasminogen Activator Activity on Human Trophoblast Cells

Abstract The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/α2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP/α2MR) mediates the internalization of numerous ligands, including prourokinase (pro-UK) and complexes between two-chain urokinase (tc-u-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1). It has been suggested that through its ability to internalize these ligands, LRP/α2MR may regulate the expression of plasminogen activator activity on cell surfaces; this hypothesis, however, has not been experimentally confirmed. To address this issue, we assessed the ability of LRP/α2MR to regulate plasminogen activator activity on human trophoblast cells, which express both LRP/α2MR and the urokinase receptor (uPAR). Trophoblasts internalized and degraded exogenous125I-pro-UK (primarily following its conversion to tc-u-PA and incorporation into tc-u-PA·PAI complexes) in an LRP/α2MR-dependent manner, which was inhibited by the LRP/α2MR receptor-associated protein. Receptor-associated protein also caused a ∼50% reduction in cell surface plasminogen activator activity and delayed the regeneration of unoccupied uPAR by cells on which uPAR were initially saturated with pro-UK. Identical effects were caused by anti-LRP/α2MR antibodies. These results demonstrate that LRP/α2MR promotes the expression of cell surface plasminogen activator activity on trophoblasts by facilitating the clearance of tc-u-PA·PAI complexes and regeneration of unoccupied cell surface uPAR.
The problems of Indian history

Abstract Most historians write Indian history from a Euro-American perspective. Two great historians illustrate the problem. Francis Parkman wrote the story of the Euro-Americans' victory over the Indians. Bernard Bailyn describes the social process of settlement neutrally, but ignores the Indians. So long as scholars define the American past in this way, Indian history has no significance on its own terms. If they focus only on “intersections” of Europeans and native “obstacles,” Indians are merely symbols. The many problems fall into three categories: structural, methodological, and conceptual.
Clinical Supervision for MSWs in Child Welfare: A Professional Development Model

ABSTRACT A collaborative project between a state child welfare agency and a master of social work program was developed for the purpose of providing clinical supervision for master of social work employees in public child welfare. The integrative supervision model (ISM) was implemented in the pilot project, and initial efforts were begun to test the effectiveness of the model. The ISM was used to assist child welfare workers in developing increased knowledge and skills relevant to public child welfare practice and to assist in promoting a professionally supportive work environment. Initial data from the first year of the project are presented and discussed.
A large deviation theorem for weighted sums

Asymptotic representations are derived for large deviation probabilities of weighted sums of independent, identically distributed random variables. The main theorem generalizes a 1952 theorem of Chernoff which asserts that n−1 log P(Sn>cn)→−log ρ, where Sn is the partial sum of a sequence of independent, identically distributed random variables X1, X2, ... and ρ is a constant depending on X1. The main result is similar in form to, but different in focus from, a particular case of Feller's (1969) theorem on large deviations for triangular arrays.
Exploring Tag-based Like Networks

The emergence of social media has had a significant impact on how people communicate, interact, and socialize. People engage in social media in different ways by not only adding content such as photos, texts, and videos, but also adding tags, Likes, comments, and following others. Through these activities, people form and develop social connections and networks. In this paper, we present a two-dimensional Like network formed and developed by people who have a same tag in their photos. Based on the dataset consisting of 51K photos posted by 36K users in Instagram, we present the structural and relational aspects of tag-based Like networks. Our study results highlight that Like networks have different sizes and degrees of network components depending on a tag type. We also found that a large portion of Likes came from random users for all networks.
Evaluation of simSchool: An Instructional Simulation for Pre-Service Teachers

This study uses theory-based design principles to evaluate the effectiveness of an instructional simulation, simSchool. It begins by examining the simulation and evaluation literature, followed by an evaluation of the simSchool software. It is a Web-based simulation designed to emulate various students (reactions) in order to provide practice for pre-service teachers in instructional planning, assessment, and communication. This article uses a framework to analyze the simulation, according to the simulation's instructional goals and design models. The framework for designing a simulation approach to instruction, based on the model-centered instructional theory, provides a detailed model for dissecting the seven functional layers of a simulation. When combined with user testing, results indicated that simSchool provides a valid model of a simulated environment for pre-service teachers to practice instructional activities.
We Are Coming, Unafraid: the Jewish legions and the Promised Land in the First World War

A few months after the outbreak of the First World War, leading Zionists Ze'ev Jabotinsky and Joseph Trumpeldor began to petition the British in order to establish a Jewish unit that would enrol Je...
Use of the selective inept NMR technique in the structure elucidation of (+)-afzelechin-7--β-D-apioside, a bitter principle of

Abstract The position of sugar attachment of a novel bitter flavonoid glycoside, (+)-afzeIechin-7- O -β-D-apioside, was conveniently established by the application of selective insensitive nuclei enhanced by polarization transfer (INEPT) NMR experiments.
Manipulating fluid flow on a chip through controlled-current redox magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract The use of controlled electronic current at microelectrodes to generate ionic current in solution allows precise and quantitative fluid manipulation on a small scale with redox-magnetohydrodynamics (redox-MHD). The MHD force, FB(x, y, z, t), at a given time and location in solution equals the cross product of the ionic current density, j(x, y, z, t), and magnetic flux density (or magnetic induction), B(x, y, z, t), there. A quantitative relationship is experimentally established between these parameters and experimental conditions, namely the fluid velocity, v(x, y, z, t), and electronic current passing through the electrodes, i(t), providing a practical means by which to predict and control fluid flow on a small scale with great precision. The data show for our setup that the relationship between v(x, y, z, t) and i(t) is linear for a fixed B(x, y, z, t), suggesting that applying current directly to the electrodes, instead of the usual approach of applying a potential, should offer fine tuning of microfluidics and at a level and with simplicity that is not possible with other common micropumping methods. When a potential is applied, the resulting electronic current, and therefore ionic current, will fluctuate in time and from one experiment to the next because of less controllable factors: electron transfer kinetics, mass transfer (e.g. changes in convection from MHD itself), concentration (e.g. depletion of redox species) and fouling of the electrode. A comparison is made between fluid flow generated by redox-MHD using applied electronic current and applied potential. The data also show that the relationship between |v(x, y, z, t)| and |B(x, y, z, t)| is linear. In addition, effects of cell geometries on velocities were investigated. The studies involved microscope visualization to track microbeads to monitor fluid velocity in a small volume of solution containing electroactive potassium ferri- and ferrocyanide at microband arrays in the presence of permanent magnets. Also, overall flow profiles were similar for three different bead types (6-μm sulfate, 10-μm sulfate, and 6-μm amino-functionalized).
On the design of paleoenvironmental data networks for estimating large-scale patterns of climate

Abstract Guidelines are determined for the spatial density and location of climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) that are appropriate for estimating the continental- to hemispheric-scale pattern of atmospheric circulation (sea-level pressure). Because instrumental records of temperature and precipitation simulate the climatic information that is contained in certain paleoenvironmental records (tree-ring, pollen, and written-documentary records, for example), these guidelines provide useful sampling strategies for reconstructing the pattern of atmospheric circulation from paleoenvironmental records. The statistical analysis uses a multiple linear regression model. The sampling strategies consist of changes in site density (from 0.5 to 2.5 sites per million square kilometers) and site location (from western North American sites only to sites in Japan, North America, and western Europe) of the climatic data. The results showed that the accuracy of specification of the pattern of sea-level pressure: (1) is improved if sites with climatic records are spread as uniformly as possible over the area of interest; (2) increases with increasing site density-at least up to the maximum site density used in this study; (3) is improved if sites cover an area that extends considerably beyond the limits of the area of interest. The accuracy of specification was lower for independent data than for the data that were used to develop the regression model; some skill was found for almost all sampling strategies.
Comparison of multiple psychological distress measures between men and women preparing for in vitro fertilization

Objective To compare multiple measures of psychological distress between men and women preparing for IVF. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Outpatient, academic infertility clinic. Patient(s) One hundred sixty-two consecutive couples presenting for infertility treatment with IVF. Intervention(s) Measures were completed as part of a routine, infertility-focused psychological evaluation, including the Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Anger Inventory, and Impact of Events Scale. Main Outcome Measure(s) Scores of above psychological questionnaires. Result(s) Psychological distress scores were statistically significantly higher among women than men for symptoms of depression, state anxiety, infertility specific distress, and general perceived stress. However, aside from infertility-specific distress (d = .43), effect sizes for the paired differences between females and males ranged from d=.18 to .23. Conclusion(s) Women consistently scored higher on multiple measures of psychological distress than their male partners in the context of preparing for IVF. Comparison of infertility-specific distress scores yielded the largest statistically and clinically significant difference compared with traditional measures of general depression and anxiety symptoms.
Performance of Spent Fuel Transportation Casks in Severe Tunnel Fires

As part of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) overall review of the performance of transportation casks under severe accident conditions, the NRC has undertaken a number of initiatives, including the Package Performance Study (PPS), described in USNRC Package Performance Study Test Protocols, NUREG-1768, which will test full size transportation casks in a severe accident, as well as an examination of the Baltimore tunnel fire of 2001. The final PPS test plan is currently under development by the NRC's Office of Research. The NRC, working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), performed analyses to predict the response of three different spent fuel transportation cask designs when exposed to a fire similar to that which occurred in the Howard Street railroad tunnel in downtown Baltimore, Maryland on July 18, 2001. NRC Staff evaluated the potential for a release of radioactive material from each of the three transportation casks analyzed for the Baltimore tunnel fire scenario. The results of these analyses are described in detail in Spent Fuel Transportation Package Response to the Baltimore Tunnel Fire Scenario, NUREG/CR-6886, published in draft for comment in November 2005.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Response to selection for seed yield and nitrogen (N2) fixation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract This study examined the feasibility of recurrent selection for enhanced N2 fixation in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and sought to generate breeding lines with high N2-fixing ability. Following their selection as superior in N2 fixing ability, the landrace Puebla 152, and the CIAT breeding lines BAT 271 and RIZ 21 were intercrossed, and 17 F2.3 lines derived from the progeny used to initiate two cycles of recurrent selection. Each cycle included crossing, selfing, multiplication and field testing phases, and occupied one year. Field testing was undertaken on an irrigated, leached, loamy sand with 9 to 14 mg total N kg−1. Plants were inoculated with Rhizobium etli UMR 1632, with 17 of 490 F2.3 derived lines per cycle selected for seed yield and shoot dry weight under conditions of N limitation. Selection progress was evaluated by comparing the C0, C1, and C2 parents, and selections from the C2 population, for biological and seed yield, and N accumulation under the same N-limited field conditions. The C2 parents yielded an average of 11% more than the C0 parents, and were 15% and 13% better in shoot dry weight and shoot N per plant, respectively. Several lines performed significantly better than any parent or check cultivar under the low N field conditions. Among-cross differences for seed yield and shoot dry weight occurred in both the C1 and C2 populations, with GCA accounting for more of the variation than SCA in both populations. Not all the parents were well adapted to Minnesota, and several Cycle 1 F2.3 lines were late to flower and mature, resulting in a negative correlation between these traits and seed yield and seed N. Selection emphasis on lines maturing in 98 days or less reversed this relationship in the C2 parental group. We conclude that selection based on both plant and seed parameters is essential.
Constitutive Modeling of Multistage Creep Damage in Isotropic and Transversely Isotropic Alloys With Elastic Damage

In the pressure vessel and piping and power industries, creep deformation has continued to be an important design consideration. Directionally solidified components have become commonplace. Creep deformation and damage is a common source of component failure. A considerable effort has gone into the study and development of constitutive models to account for such behavior. Creep deformation can be separated into three distinct regimes: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Most creep damage constitutive models are designed to model only one or two of these regimes. In this paper, a multistage creep damage constitutive model is developed and designed to model all three regimes of creep for isotropic materials. A rupture and critical damage prediction method follows. This constitutive model is then extended for transversely isotropic materials. In all cases, the influence of creep damage on general elasticity (elastic damage) is included. Methods to determine material constants from experimental data are detailed. Finally, the isotropic material model is exercised on tough pitch copper tube and the anisotropic model on a Ni-based superalloy. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4005946]
Metabolic engineering under uncertainty. I: framework development.

Std. bioprocess conditions have been widely applied for the microbial conversion of raw material to essential industrial products. Successful metabolic engineering (ME) strategies require a comprehensive framework to manage the complexity embedded in cellular metab., to explore the impacts of bioprocess conditions on the cellular responses, and to deal with the uncertainty of the physiochem. parameters. We have recently developed a computational and statistical framework that is based on Metabolic Control Anal. and uses a Monte Carlo method to simulate the uncertainty in the values of the system parameters [Wang, L., Birol, I., Hatzimanikatis, V., 2004. Metabolic control anal. under uncertainty: framework development and case studies. Biophys. J. 87(6), 3750-3763]. In this work, we generalize this framework to incorporate the central cellular processes, such as cell growth, and different bioprocess conditions, such as different types of bioreactors. The framework provides the math. basis for the quantification of the interactions between intracellular metab. and extracellular conditions, and it is readily applicable to the identification of optimal ME targets for the improvement of industrial processes [Wang, L., Hatzimanikatis, V., 2005. Metabolic engineering under uncertainty. II: anal. of yeast metab. Submitted]. [on SciFinder (R)]
Transfer of cultured rabbit embryos

Embryo transfer experiments were carried out to study the developmental capacity of cultured rabbit embryos when transferred to recipients of variable postovulatory maturity. Rabbit embryos were flushed from the oviduct at 26 hours postcoitum (pc) and cultured in a modified Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) for a period of 70 hours. At 96 hours pc the cultured embryos, which ranged from the early morula to the expanding blastocyst stage, were transferred to pseudopregnant recipients mated to vasectomized males 36 to 96 hours prior to the transfer procedure. Greatest embryo survival occurred when transfers were made to either the oviducts or uterine horns of recipients at 48 hours pc. Intermediate results for both implantation rates and number of young born were obtained with recipients at 36, 60, 72, and 84 hours pc. Transferred embryos consistently failed to survive the uterine environment of recipients 96 hours pc at transfer although this group was synchronous with embryonic chronological age. Oviductal transfers were generally more successful than uterine transfers. Markedly higher rates of embryo survival resulted from embryos that were collected 60 and 72 hours pc and transferred directly to synchronous recipients without an interim period of culture. Dissimilarity of development for in vivo grown rabbit embryos and those cultured in synthetic medium is demonstrated.
Transmission Protocol Design for Binary Physical Network Coded Multi-Way Relay Networks

This paper considers a multi-way relay network in which multiple users intend to achieve full information exchange with one another with the aid of a single relay. A general method for designing the transmission protocol with binary physical- layer network coding (PNC) is developed based on a tree representation. Different transmission schemes are analytically and numerically examined in terms of the decoding strategy, throughput performance, and energy consumption. It is shown that distributing the load of transmissions unevenly among users may achieve a better network throughput performance although some users will consume remarkably more energy than others. A systematic approach to designing the transmission scheme such that minimum error probability is achieved while some specified energy constraint is satisfied is also proposed.
Development and validation of a novel idiographic measure of cystectomy patients' goals and concerns before surgery.

Evaluation of: Morganstern BM, Bochner B, Dalbagni G, Shabsigh A, Rapkin B. The psychological context of quality of life: a psychometric analysis of a novel idiographic measure of bladder cancer patients’ personal goals and concerns prior to surgery. Health Qual. Life Outcomes 9, 10 (2011).Morganstern et al. presented a brief quality-of-life appraisal profile (BQOLAP) to measure the unique quality-of-life concerns and issues of preoperative bladder cancer patients, setting the stage for future studies that would compare quality of life outcomes following reconstructive cystectomy surgery. Results from 50 patients with bladder cancer revealed 503 goal statements that were coded and developed into 40 content categories based on several overarching domains: motivational themes; health and treatment; functioning; mental health and perceptions; comfort and lifestyle; events; responsibilities; relationship and family; home and community; problems and conflicts; and other/nonanswer. Drawing from measures develop...
Fluorescence-Based Method and a Device for Rapid Detection of Microbial Contamination

A method for rapid detection of microbial detection is presented. It uses the reduction of resazurin to resorufin as an indication of the presence of viable cells. The method is highly sensitive (limit of detection 1 CFU/mL) and rapid (detection time 180 s). A portable device that could allow the detection to be performed in the field is also described. LAY ABSTRACT: Simple techniques to detect microbial contamination are needed. In particular, these need to be user-friendly and low-cost. In addition, field use capability is desirable. In this paper, we describe a device and method that has the above features.
A TEM method for analyzing local strain fields in irradiated materials

Abstract Of great interest to the field of fracture mechanics is the strain field in front of a crack tip. In irradiated materials, cavities which naturally form as a result of radiation provide convenient internal markers. If a miniaturized irradiated tensile sample is pulled in situ in a transmission electron microscope (TEM), both the relative displacement of these cavities and their distortion in shape provide information on localized strain on a microscopic level. In addition, the TEM method allows direct correlation of active slip systems with crack propagation characteristics. To illustrate this method a strain field map was constructed about a crack propagating in a helium irradiated type 316 stainless steel sample containing large cavities.
RAIN-Droplet: a novel 3D in vitro angiogenesis model

Angiogenesis is fundamentally required for the initialization, development and metastatic spread of cancer. A rapidly expanding number of new experimental, chemical modulators of endothelial cell function have been described for the therapeutic inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer. Despite this expansion, there has been very limited parallel growth of in vitro angiogenesis models or experimental tools. Here we present the Responsive Angiogenic Implanted Network (RAIN)-Droplet model and novel angiogenesis assay using an endothelial cell culture model of microvascular endothelial cells encapsulated in a spontaneously self-assembling, toroidal hydrogel droplet uniquely yielding discrete, pre-formed, angiogenic networks that may be embedded in 3D matrices. On embedding, radial growth of capillary-like sprouts and cell invasion was observed. The sprouts formed not only as outgrowths from endothelial cells on the surface of the droplets, but also, uniquely, from the pre-formed network structures within the droplet. We demonstrate proof of principle for the utility of the model showing significant inhibition of sprout formation (P<0.001) in the presence of bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenic antibody. Using the RAIN-Droplet assay, we also demonstrate a novel dose-dependent pro-angiogenic function for the characteristically anti-angiogenic multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib. Exposure of endothelial cells in 3D culture to low, non-lethal doses (<1 μM) of sorafenib after initiation of sprouting resulted in the formation of significantly (P<0.05) more endothelial sprouts compared with controls over a 48-h period. Higher doses of sorafenib (5 μM) resulted in a significant (P<0.05) reduction of sprouting over the same time period. The RAIN-Droplet model is a highly versatile and simply constructed 3D focal sprouting approach well suited for the study of vascular morphogenesis and for preclinical testing of drugs. Furthermore, the RAIN-Droplet model has facilitated the discovery of a novel pro-angiogenic capacity for sorafenib, which may impact the clinical application and dosing regimen of that drug.
Commercial knowledge transfers from universities to firms: improving the effectiveness of university–industry collaboration

There has been a rapid rise in commercial knowledge transfers from universities to practitioners or university–industry technology transfer (UITT), through licensing agreements, research joint ventures, and start-ups. The purpose of this study was to analyze the UITT process and its outcomes. Based on 98 structured interviews of key UITT stakeholders (i.e., university administrators, academic and industry scientists, business managers, and entrepreneurs) at five research universities in two regions of the US, we conclude that these stakeholders have different perspectives on the desired outputs of UITT. More importantly, numerous barriers to effective UITT were identified, including culture clashes, bureaucratic inflexibility, poorly designed reward systems, and ineffective management of university technology transfer offices (TTOs). Based on this qualitative evidence, we provide numerous recommendations for improving the UITT process.
Tolerance and immunity in antigen-specific B-lymphocyte lines: Early receptor binding of either antigen or tolerogen initiates an immune response

Studies of the effect of tolerance-inducing compounds on B lymphocytes have been complicated by the fact that it is technically difficult to completely isolate the antigen-specific B cell from the effects of T cells or T-cell factors. We have used our cell lines of nonmalignant dinitrophenyl (DNP)-specific B lymphocytes derived from normal mice, which have no contaminating T cells, to study the effect of DNP-murine IgG2a (DNP-MGG), a tolerogen which is not normally immunogenic, on antigen-specific B lymphocytes. Preincubation with DNP-MGG for 48 hr, both in the presence and absence of T-cell factors from EL-4 supernatant prior to adding the antigen DNP-Ficoll, can induce tolerance in cell line B lymphocytes. The suppression is antigen-specific since preincubation with fluorescein-MGG or unconjugated MGG does not suppress the anti-DNP response. At least a 36-hr incubation is required for tolerance induction in B lymphocytes, but a 6-hr preincubation with DNP-MGG augments the immune response to DNP-Ficoll. Lymphocytes incubated for 6 or 24 hr with DNP-MGG prior to adding EL-4 supernatant and filler cells without DNP-Ficoll exhibited an immune response equal to that elicited by DNP-Ficoll and T-cell factors. A 6-hr pulse with a DNP-conjugated polymer of D-glutamic acid and D-lysine (DNP-dGL), a B-cell tolerogen which does not bind to Fc receptors, elicited the same immune response as seen with a 6-hr pulse of DNP-MGG but a 48-hr preincubation with DNP-dGL induced tolerance. Thus, it is likely that the initial binding of the tolerogen to the immunoglobulin receptor on the mature B cell elicits an activation signal similar to that seen with the antigen. The suppressive effect of the tolerogen itself appears to occur at a later stage of the process of the B-cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation.
Electron spin decoherence of single nitrogen-vacancy defects in diamond

We present a detailed theoretical analysis of the electron spin decoherence in single nitrogen-vacancy defects in ultrapure diamond. The electron spin decoherence is due to the interactions with $^{13}\text{C}$ nuclear spins in the diamond lattice. Our approach takes advantage of the low concentration (1.1%) of $^{13}\text{C}$ nuclear spins and their random distribution in the diamond lattice by an algorithmic aggregation of spins into small, strongly interacting groups. By making use of this disjoint cluster approach, we demonstrate a possibility of nontrival dynamics of the electron spin that cannot be described by a single time constant. This dynamics is caused by a strong coupling between the electron and few nuclei and exhibits large variations depending on the distribution of $^{13}\text{C}$ nuclei surrounding each individual electronic spin. This results, in particular, in a substantial echo signal even at microsecond time scales. Our results are in good agreement with recent experimental observations.
The Mac-1 and p150,95 β2 integrins bind denatured proteins to mediate leukocyte cell-substrate adhesion

Activated monocytic cells and neutrophils adhere to substrates coated with a wide variety of proteins including albumins, catalase, casein, and various extracellular matrix proteins. This adhesion can be specifically inhibited by antibodies directed to the beta 2 integrin subunit. This adhesion to protein substrates shares some similarities with two known protein-protein recognition systems with little apparent binding specificity, namely, the interactions of heat shock proteins and histocompatibility antigens with denatured proteins or peptides. Cell adhesion and affinity chromatography experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that monocytes and neutrophils adhere to and migrate on protein substrates due to the presence of cell surface receptors that recognize common protein structures such as denatured protein epitopes. Adhesion experiments revealed that activated monocytic cells adhere more rapidly and extensively on substrates coated with denatured protein versus native protein. Both adhesion and migration on such substrates in vitro was dependent on beta 2 integrins since blocking antibodies completely interfered with these cellular responses. Affinity chromatography experiments revealed that the Mac-1 and p150,95 integrins could be isolated from monocyte-differentiated HL-60 cells or neutrophils on a denatured protein-Sepharose column. Much greater yields of the receptors were obtained on a denatured versus native protein Sepharose column. The binding of these receptors was specific in that the LFA-1 beta 2 integrin did not bind to the denatured protein column. These data provide evidence that the adhesion of activated monocytes and neutrophils to many protein substrates in vitro is due to the ability of Mac-1 and p150,95 to directly bind to denatured proteins. A model of leukocyte adhesion and invasion whereby activated leukocytes denature extracellular proteins during diapedesis, making them suitable for recognition by beta 2 integrins, is proposed.
Pseudo-heart block and pseudo-brugada morphology from signal-averaging artifact during exercise stress testing.

A 57-year-old woman with atypical chest pain presented for exercise stress testing with myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography perfusion imaging. The patient had a history of hypertension and hypothyroidism but no other history of coronary disease or risk factors. The patient's baseline ECG is shown in Figure 1, interpreted as incomplete right bundle-branch morphology. During exercise stress testing, apparent 2:1 A:V conduction occurred, as shown in Figure 2A. Physicians reading the exercise stress test also interpreted ST elevation most prominent in lead V1 as consistent with the type 1 Brugada ECG pattern.1 Intermittent 2:1 A:V block appeared to resolve at high heart rates in Figure 2B. The test was terminated, and the patient appeared to return to normal sinus rhythm conduction with resolution of the ST deviation, as in Figure 2C. She was referred to the electrophysiology service for consideration of pacemaker implantation. Figure 1. ECG tracing of the patient before stress testing. A magnified section of V1 is shown in the window . Although interpreted as incomplete right bundle-branch block by referring physicians, the QRS duration of <100 ms does not meet formal criteria for this diagnosis. The …
Progesterone protects against lipid peroxidation following traumatic brain injury in rats

The gonadal hormone, progesterone, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in injured nervous system, including the severity of postinjury cerebral edema. Progesterone’s attenuation of edema is accompanied by a sparing of neurons from secondary neuronal death and with improvements in cognitive outcome. In addition, we recently reported that postinjury blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage, as measured by albumin immunostaining, was significantly lower in progesteronetreated than in nontreated rats, supporting a possible protective action of progesterone on the BBB. Because lipid membrane peroxidation is a major contributor to BBB breakdown, we hypothesized that progesterone limits this free radical-induced damage. An antioxidant action, neuroprotective in itself, would also account for progesterone’s effects on the BBB, edema, and cell survival after traumatic brain injury. To test progesterone’s possible antiperoxidation ef-fect, we compared brain levels of 8-isoprostaglandin F2α (8-isoPGF2α), a marker of lipid peroxidation, 24, 48, and 72 h after cortical contusion in male rats treated with either progesterone or the oil vehicle. The brains of progesteronetreated rats contained approximately one-third of the 8-isoPGF2α found in oil-treated rats. These data suggest progesterone has antioxidant effects and support its potential as a treatment for brain injury.
Computer Network Protocols: A Hierarchical Viewpoint

Progress in network protocol design brings us closer to fully-supported public data networks. These networks will provide message switching and computing services to a national user community.
The Hot Intergalactic Medium-Galaxy Connection: Two Strong O VI Absorbers in the Sight Line toward PG 1211+143

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) spectra of the QSO PG 1211+143 (zem = 0.081) and a galaxy survey of the surrounding field. This sight line shows two strong intergalactic absorption systems at cz 15,300 and 19,300 km s-1. This sight line addresses the nature and origin of the O VI absorbers and their connection to galaxies. We explore the relationship of these absorbers to the nearby galaxies and compare them to other O VI-bearing absorbers in diverse environments. At 15,300 km s-1, we find four distinct H I components and associated C II, C III, C IV, Si II, Si III, Si IV, N V, and O VI, lying near a spiral-dominated galaxy group with a bright member galaxy 137 h kpc from the sight line. The observed ions of C, Si, and N are likely to be photoionized, but the O VI is more consistent with collisional ionization. The ion ratios in this absorber resemble the highly ionized Galactic high-velocity clouds (HVCs); it may also trace the hot intragroup medium gas or the unbound wind of an undiscovered dwarf galaxy. At 19,300 km s-1, we find five H I components and associated C III, Si III, and collisionally ionized O VI lying 146 h kpc from an isolated galaxy. The properties of the O VI-bearing gas are consistent with an origin in strong shocks between low-metallicity gas (?2%-6% solar) and one or more of the warm photoionized components. It is likely that these absorbers are related to the nearby galaxies, perhaps by outflows or gas stripped from unseen satellite galaxies by interactions. However, we cannot reject completely the hypothesis that they reside in the same large-scale structure in which the galaxies are embedded but are otherwise not directly related.
Quantitative estimation of climatic parameters from vegetation data in North America by the mutual climatic range technique

Abstract The mutual climatic range (MCR) technique is perhaps the most widely used method for estimating past climatic parameters from fossil assemblages, largely because it can be conducted on a simple list of the taxa present in an assemblage. When applied to plant macrofossil data, this unweighted approach (MCR un ) will frequently identify a large range for a given climatic parameter where the species in an assemblage can theoretically live together. To narrow this range, we devised a new weighted approach (MCR wt ) that employs information from the modern relations between climatic parameters and plant distributions to lessen the influence of the “tails” of the distributions of the climatic data associated with the taxa in an assemblage. To assess the performance of the MCR approaches, we applied them to a set of modern climatic data and plant distributions on a 25-km grid for North America, and compared observed and estimated climatic values for each grid point. In general, MCR wt was superior to MCR un in providing smaller anomalies, less bias, and better correlations between observed and estimated values. However, by the same measures, the results of Modern Analog Technique (MAT) approaches were superior to MCR wt . Although this might be reason to favor MAT approaches, they are based on assumptions that may not be valid for paleoclimatic reconstructions, including that: 1) the absence of a taxon from a fossil sample is meaningful, 2) plant associations were largely unaffected by past changes in either levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide or in the seasonal distributions of solar radiation, and 3) plant associations of the past are adequately represented on the modern landscape. To illustrate the application of these MCR and MAT approaches to paleoclimatic reconstructions, we applied them to a Pleistocene paleobotanical assemblage from the western United States. From our examinations of the estimates of modern and past climates from vegetation assemblages, we conclude that the MCR un technique provides reliable and unbiased estimates of the ranges of possible climatic conditions that can reasonably be associated with these assemblages. The application of MCR wt and MAT approaches can further constrain these estimates and may provide a systematic way to assess uncertainty. The data sets required for MCR analyses in North America are provided in a parallel publication.
X-Bana Rf Fiber Optic Links

Two 10-GHz direct laser modulation links and an external modulation link were demonstrated. A signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB/Hz was measured for the 1.3 μm wavelength external modulation link and 115 dB/Hz for the 0.8 pm and 1.3 μm wavelength direct modulation links.
Postoperative radiation therapy for grade II and III intracranial ependymoma.

Purpose To retrospectively determine the long-term outcome of intracranial ependymoma patients treated with surgery and postoperative radiation therapy. Methods and materials Sixty patients were treated at our institution between 1964 and 2000. Forty patients had World Health Organization Grade II ependymoma, and 20 patients had Grade III ependymoma. The median patient age was 10.7 years. The majority of patients were male (55%), had infratentorial tumors (80%), and had subtotal resections (72%). Postoperative radiation therapy was delivered to all patients to a median total dose of 50.4 Gy. Craniospinal radiation therapy was used in the earlier era in only 12 patients (20%). Results The median follow-up of surviving patients was 12.5 years. The 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival rates for all patients were 58.4% and 49.5%, respectively. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates for all patients were 71.2% and 55.0%, respectively. Supratentorial tumor location was independently associated with a worse disease-free survival. Subtotal resection and supratentorial location predicted a worse overall survival, but this failed to reach statistical significance. No statistically significant effect on prognosis was observed with tumor grade, patient age, or radiation dose or volume. Conclusion Our long-term follow-up indicates that half of ependymoma patients will have disease recurrences, indicating the need for more effective treatments.
Video measurement of the muzzle velocity of a potato gun

Using first principles, a theoretical equation for the maximum and actual muzzle velocities for a pneumatic cannon was recently derived. For a fixed barrel length, this equation suggests that the muzzle velocity can be enhanced by maximizing the product of the initial pressure and the volume of the propellant gas and decreasing the projectile mass. The present paper describes the results of experiments conducted to verify the validity of this theoretical equation. A high-speed video camera was used to quantify muzzle velocity for potatoes of varying mass exiting a pneumatic cannon for gauge pressures ranging from 310 to 830 kPa. The experiments verified that a friction modified version of the theoretical equation is qualitatively and quantitatively accurate for potato masses above 100 g.
More on Pentagon funding ties

Richard Altrock's recent letter on Air Force funding of geophysical research (Eos, March 22, 1983, p. 114) raises a number of questions in my mind and I am sure in the minds of many others. Dr. Altrock states that ‘funding is determined purely on relevance, availability of funds, and our estimate of the quality of the proposed research’ (emphasis mine). Relevant to whom? I assume that the Air Force seeks research relevant to its long-range interests which I regard as contrary to the long-range interests of the human race.
Asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation of pyrroles with nitroalkenes using a dinuclear zinc catalyst.

The catalytic enantioselective and atom economic Friedel−Crafts alkylation of pyrroles with nitroalkenes under mild reaction conditions using a dinuclear zinc catalyst is reported. The versatility of the reaction is demonstrated by the conversion of a number of differentially substituted nitroalkenes with differentially substituted pyrroles. Tandem addition reactions to form 2,5-disubstituted pyrroles are also demsonstrated. All pyrrole alkylations have been carried out without using N-protecting groups, which also enhances the efficiency by which substituted pyrroles may be synthesized. The reactions result in good yields and excellent enantioselectivities.
Overview of nanophase metals and alloys for gas sensors, getters, and hydrogen storage

Abstract Nanophase metallic materials produced by inert gas condensation and ball-milling, including zirconium and magnesium alloys, have been the subject of several exploratory studies on potential gas-reactive applications of nanophase metals. Such applications include gas sensing, vacuum gettering, and hydrogen storage. A brief overview is given of the background, rationale, and some results from the literature of gas-reactive applications of nanophase metals and alloys.