Abstract: Hemodynamic forces play a key role in inducing 2, theroscler-osis-implicated gene in Vascular endothelial cells. To ellcitate the signal transduction pathway leading to such gene expression, the effects of fluid shearing on the activities of upstream signaling molecules is reported here. Fluid shearing (shear stress=12 dynes/cm2) induced a transient and rapid activation of p21ras and preferentially activated c-jun NH2 terminal kinases (JNK 1, 2) over extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK-1, -2). Co-transfection of RasNI7, a dominant negative mutant of Ha-Ras, attenuated the shear-activated JNK and luciferase reporters driven by TPA-responsive elements. JNIK(K-R) and MEKK(K-M), the respective catalytically inactive mutants of JNKI and MEKK, also partially inhibited the shear-induced luciferase reporters. In contrast, Raf301, ERK(K71R), and ERK(K52R), the dominant negative mutants of Raf-1, ERK-1, and ERK-2, respectively, had little effects on the activities of these reporters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determination of fluoroorganic compounds in liquid, gaseous, or crystalline or amorphous solids is based on the detection of carbon-halogen bonds by laser Raman spectroscopy. The method and apparatus provide a general method for detecting and determination of halooorganic compounds. The method and apparatus are applicable in the pharmaceutical industry, in fluorinated drug research and manufacturing; in the medical and clinical studies of the effects of fluoroorganic compounds; in the environmental and agricultural studies and screening, in the analysis of water, soils and air contaminated with fluoroorganic compounds.

Abstract: The measurement of the wavelength shifts in the reflectometric interference spectra of a porous semiconductor substrate such as silicon, make possible the highly sensitive detection, identification and quantification of small analyte molecules. The sensor of the subject invention is effective in detecting multiple layers of biomolecular interactions, termed “cascade sensing”, including sensitive detection of small molecule recognition events that take place relatively far from the semiconductor surface.

Abstract: A cementitious wall is externally reinforced against out-of-plane or in-plane seismic forces using an overlying layer of composite material, preferably a carbon-fiber/polymer matrix composite material. To externally reinforce the wall against out-of-plane forces, the composite material is applied to the wall as an overlay with the fibers extending vertically. At the base of the wall, the composite overlay is tied to the horizontal building structure using right-angle ties spaced-apart along the foot of the wall. The composite overlay may either be structurally tied to intervening floor structures using right-angle ties, or it may be structurally isolated from the intervening floor structures using flat-tie pass throughs. To externally reinforce the wall against in-plane horizontal forces, the composite material is applied to the wall as an overlay with the fibers running only horizontally.

Abstract: A method for identifying endogenous microbial proliferation genes for growth and viability is disclosed herein. The method involves exogenous nucleic acids that are used to conditionally produce antisense inhibitors of endogenous complementary mRNAs in a microorganism. Antisense fragments that result in lethality when expressed indicate that the endogenous gene is a proliferation gene. The method can also be used with sequences in sense orientation. The strategy can be used to identify new gene targets for novel antibiotics.

Abstract: A concrete-filled fiber-reinforced structural member comprising a concrete core encased in a lightweight fiber-reinforced composite shell formed by winding polymer impregnated high-strength filaments. The fibers are arranged for optimal strength and may be tailored for a specific requirement. The shell structure is durable, chemically inert, and adaptable to a variety of civil engineering applications. A plurality of composite structural members can be connected via connectors to form complex space frame structures such as industrial support structures, bridges, buildings and the like.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for performing highly-sensitive spectroscopic measurements in a sample vapor by using a four-wave-mixing optical system and an atomizer chamber. One embodiment of a spectrometer comprises a gas-phase atomizer having an atomizer chamber operable to vaporize a sample solution to produce a sample vapor, first and second alignment templates having apertures to align a probe beam, first and second pump beams to form a four-wave mixing configuration, a laser tunable to generate a laser beam at a desired wavelength corresponding to an absorption line in the sample vapor, and a set of optical elements disposed relative to the laser and the atomizer to split the laser beam into the probe beam, the first pump beam, and the second pump beam. The probe beam, the first and second pump beams are directed to overlap with one another in the sample vapor to produce a signal beam through a four-wave mixing process.

Abstract: A shunt feedback circuit path for use in high frequency amplifiers fabricated as a transmission line coupled to ground at one end and coupled to the shunt feedback transmission line of the amplifier at the other end. The shunt feedback transmission line has a first and second resistive element and a first and second capacitive element. A quarter-wavelength transmission line is used to transform the impedance coupled to one end with respect to the other end. The impedance as seen from one end of the line is a function of the characteristic impedance of the line. Therefore, by selecting the characteristic impedance the transmission line can be used to affect the impedance of the feedback path so the transmission line appears as an inductor of reactance equal to the characteristic impedance of the quarter-wavelength transmission line and reduces the overall effective length of the feedback path.

Abstract: A method for producing micro-elements, such as micro-lenses and computer generated holograms using a gray scale mask formed of a high energy beam sensitive glass plate which may be darkened by direct writing of an electron beam to record a gray scale pattern corresponding to a predetermined depth level to be etched into a photoresist coated substrate. The high energy beam sensitive glass may have a base glass composition which is provided with an ion exchanged surface layer containing a high concentration of silver ions. High energy beam sensitive glass plates are exposed to various electron beam charge densities at relatively low acceleration voltages and over relatively small grid spacings to provide a wide range of gray levels. Photoresist coated substrates are exposed through the gray scale mask and subsequently etched by chemically assisted ion beam milling to produce high efficiency micro-lenses and similar micro-elements having high surface resolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound having the structure ##STR1## wherein, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are independently selected from H, alkyl, aminoalkyl, perfluoroalkyl, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: A system for compensating for reference frequency drift in a communications system. The inventive system includes a frequency source for providing a reference frequency. An error determination circuit determines if the reference frequency is within a predetermined range of a desired reference frequency and provides an error signal in response thereto. A frequency correction circuit steps the reference frequency up and/or down by a predetermined amount in response to the error signal until the reference frequency is within the predetermined range of the desired reference frequency. In a specific embodiment, the predetermined amount is twice the short-term capture range of the reference frequency which corresponds to approximately four parts per million. The predetermined range is the short-term capture range or two parts per million. The predetermined range is dependent upon the reference frequency band in which the receiver can successfully receive and decode the receive signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously calibrating the modulation sensitivity of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) within a modulator of a transmitter. In accordance with the present invention, the transmitter is coupled to the receiver in order to loop back the transmit signal. The present invention includes a baseband signal generator which generates a reference baseband signal of known amplitude during periods when no other baseband information is being applied to the transmitter by the user. A Signal and Reference Comparison Circuit (SRCC) receives the output from the demodulator and determines whether the VCO within the transmitter has the proper modulation sensitivity. If the modulation sensitivity of the VCO is not within a desired range, then a signal generated by the SRCC is applied to a baseband level control circuit to adjust the level of the baseband signal that is applied to the VCO.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for generating a GMSK modulating signal from a serial digital data bit stream whereby the GMSK modulating signal modulates a carrier frequency signal associated with a GMSK transmitter of a digital communications system. Specifically, the method includes converting each set of m consecutive data bits of the bit stream into a parallel symbol, whereby there are 2.sup.m possible symbols. Each symbol is generally defined as (B.sub.-(m-1). . . B.sub.0), where B.sub.0 is the current data bit and B.sub.-(m-1) is the mth previous data bit with respect to B.sub.0. Next, a corresponding phase advance is assigned to each of the 2.sup.m symbols, each phase advance being substantially equivalent to a percent phase advance contributed by the m consecutive data bits of each symbol. Also, four corresponding accumulated phases are assigned to each of the 2.sup.m symbols, each accumulated phase being derived from a multiple of 90 degrees.

Abstract: A circuit for grounding a signal at a first frequency and at a second frequency. The circuit includes a first capacitor and an inductor in series and a second capacitor in parallel with the first capacitor and inductor. The first capacitor is series resonant at the first frequency and the second capacitor is series resonant at the second frequency. The inductance of the inductor is selected so the combination of the packaging inductance of the first capacitor and the inductor parallel resonants with the second capacitor at a frequency lower than the second frequency and higher than the first frequency, where the second frequency is greater than the first frequency. The grounding circuit may be used to provide a second input to a balanced RF mixer where the RF mixer receives a RF signal at the second frequency at a first input and generates an IF signal at the first frequency.

Abstract: A method for determining the best time to sample data bits of a data bit stream of a received information signal in a digital communication system includes the steps of determining the current derivative of a respective sample of the information signal, weighting the sample by a predetermined amount, determining an accumulated derivative value for the same sample number of a previous symbol of the information signal, weighting the previous accumulated derivative value by another predetermined amount, summing the two weighted values together and assigning this accumulated derivative value to the respective sample. The method further includes the step of comparing the accumulated derivative values of a predetermined number of consecutive samples to determine which sample has the greatest accumulated derivative value. The sample having the greatest accumulated derivative value substantially corresponds to the beginning of a symbol.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a wavy air-foil structure effective to pre-mix liquid fuel and air prior to ingestion into a gas turbine engine. The structure is a surface or boundary generally in the form of a linear combination of sinusoidals, and over which the incoming air is caused to flow at very near sonic speed. This invention is based on a new phenomenon observed in a study of small-perturbation theory of gas dynamics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which corrects errors in a receive vector and a receiver. An essentially conventional method and apparatus are used to produce a polynomial representation of the receive vector, syndromes associated with the receive vector, and a Galios Field table. An inventive method and apparatus is used to generate an error location polynomial table and thus an error location polynomial which can then be used to locate and correct a maximum number of errors in the receive vector. The inventive method includes comparing previously generated entities in an error location polynomial table to one another to determine which of the previously generated entries should be used in generating a next entry to the error location polynomial table.

Abstract: A temperature compensation technique employing a directional coupler providing signals from a forward sample port to a detector circuit for providing a DC output representative of transmitted power. A temperature compensation circuit including a current source is coupled to a reverse sample port of the directional coupler for providing a compensating DC bias current via said coupler, to the detector circuit. The detector circuit and the temperature compensation circuit each include matched diodes and corresponding circuits for tracking temperature and offsetting the effects of temperature on the DC output of the detector circuit.

Abstract: A method for setting a bit determination threshold for determining the logic state of a bit in a data bit stream of an NRZ (non-return-to-zero) signal in a GMSK (gaussian minimum shift keying) communication system includes the step of sensing the occurrence of a "flat top" bit in the data bit stream, which signifies the occurrence of a first string of successive same state bits in the data bit stream, where the bits are in a first logic state, such as logic 1. The average bit amplitude of the information signal corresponding to the "flat top" bit of the first string is determined. The occurrence of a second "flat top" bit in the data bit stream which signifies the occurrence of a second string of successive same state bits which are of an opposite logic state, such as logic 0, is then sensed, and the average bit amplitude of the second "flat top" bit of the second string is determined.

Abstract: A handle assembly having a swivel head for detachably holding a blade, includes a substantially elongate handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end is formed with a threaded shank having a having a hemispherical socket at the end thereof, a sleeve having a threaded socket on one end for threadably mounting on the threaded shank and having an open slot extending from the other end to intersection of the threaded bore and partially along the length thereof, a blade mounting head comprising a threaded cylindrical body having a shank extending from one end, the shank adapted for receipt in the open slot and having a spherical tip for receipt in the threaded bore and engagement with the sleeve and the semi-spherical socket, the body adapted for swiveling on the spherical tip in the socket and slot, an axial bore extending coaxial of the threaded cylindrical body from the other end, an elongated collet having a longitudinal axis and inner walls surrounding an axial passage and first and second