cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae coronin in the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons

Abstract Coronin was originally identified as a cortical protein associated with the actin cytoskeleton in Dictyostelium [1]. More recent studies have revealed that coronin is involved in actin-based motility, cytokinesis and phagocytosis [2,3]. Here, we describe the identification of a single homolog of coronin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae , which we show localizes to cortical actin patches in an actin-dependent manner. Unlike Dictyostelium mutants that lack coronin, yeast strains lacking coronin had no detectable defects in actin-based processes. This may reflect differences in the functions of the actin cytoskeleton in these two organisms. Previous studies have shown that cortical actin may mediate astral microtubule-based movements of the mitotic spindle in S. cerevisiae [4,5] and that, during mitosis in Dictyostelium , the regions of the cell cortex that overlap with astral microtubules become enriched in actin and coronin [6]. We therefore examined whether yeast lacking coronin had defects in the microtubule cytoskeleton. The mutant strains had increased sensitivity to the microtubule-destabilizing drug benomyl and an increased number of large-budded cells with short spindles. Further examination of microtubule-related processes, including spindle formation, migration of the mitotic spindle to the bud neck, spindle elongation, and translocation of the elongating spindle through the bud neck, failed to reveal any defects in the coronin mutant. Taken together, these results suggest that S. cerevisiae coronin is a component of the actin cytoskeleton that may interact with the microtubule cytoskeleton.
Photo-aligned liquid crystal devices for high-peak-power laser applications

Liquid crystal (LC) optical elements have proven themselves as robust and cost-effective components for high-peakpowerlaser systems such as the 60-beam, 40-TW OMEGA Nd:glass laser system at the University of Rochester’sLaboratory for Laser Energetics. Although buffed nylon 6/6 alignment layers are the de facto standard for high-peak-power applications, photoalignment coatings based on coumarin materials have demonstrated exceptionally high near-IR laser-damage resistance. Using conventional photolithographic patterning techniques, high-resolution, photoaligned, nematic LC beam-shaper devices with a contrast ratio of 430:1, a pixel size of 10 μm, an interpixel resolution of 1.7 μm, and laser-damage resistance of 30 J/cm 2 (1054-nm, 1-ns pulse) have been demonstrated. Recently, we have extended this photoalignment process to other existing and potential high-peak-power LC optical devices that have previously used buffed alignment coatings. In addition to fabricating photoaligned LC wave-plate prototypes that meet all optical and performance specifications of LC devices currently used on OMEGA, novel LC polarization converters with continuously varying radial or azimuthal polarization states have been fabricated using the same high-damage-threshold materials. These polarization converters have applications not only in high-peak-power lasers but also in microscopy, electron acceleration, and machining.
Fracture Initiation Due to Asymmetric Impact Loading of an Edge Cracked Plate

The two-dimensional elastodynamic problem of a semi-infinite plate containing an edge crack is considered. A normal velocity is suddenly imposed on the boundary of the plate on one side of the edge crack. A combination of transient mode I and mode II deformation fields is induced near the crack tip. The corresponding stress intensity factor histories are determined exactly by linear superposition of several more readily obtainable stress wave propagation solutions. The stress intensity factor histories are determined for the time interval from initial loading until the first wave scattered at the crack tip is reflected at the plate edge and returns to the crack tip
Radiation management of carcinoma of the tonsillar region

This is a retrospective analysis of 185 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region treated at the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Hospital from 1956 to 1977. All patients were treated by one of the following: (1) external beam therapy alone; or (2) combined external beam and interstitial brachytherapy. Five-year disease-free survivals, for early Stages (I and II), are 100% and 73%, comparable to the other series published in the literature. However, in advanced Stages III and IV, survival data showed 52% and 21%, respectively, 5-year disease-free survival better than any other reports. It is thought that the special interest of the authors in interstitial brachytherapy and a well-integrated plan of external beam and brachytherapy is responsible for this success. The local control rate for T1, T2, T3, and T4 was 94%, 88%, 62%, and 19%, respectively, with the overall regional control rate of 83%. The prognostic factors appear to be related to the T-factor, N-factor, radiation dose, and method of treatment given, and the degree of tongue involvement. The detailed analysis of survivals and failures in the light of dosimetric study is presented along with some example cases of interstitial brachytherapy.
Comparison of minimally invasive and modified Ravitch pectus excavatum repair

Background/Purpose: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE) has gained wide acceptance during the last 4 years. This study compares, retrospectively, the experience at 2 large hospitals, 1 using MIRPE and the other a modified Ravitch repair (MRR). Methods: From 1996 to 2000, 68 PE patients underwent MIRPE at one hospital, and 139 underwent MRR at another hospital. Ages ranged from 5 to 19 years (mean, 12) for MIRPE, and 3 to 51 years (mean, 17.3) for MRR. The mean pectus severity index was 4.2 for MIRPE and 4.9 for MRR (normal, 2.5). Results: There were no deaths after MIRPE or MRR. Complications included 6 reoperations for MIRPE and none for MRR. There were 8 rehospitalizations for MIRPE and none for MRR. Ninety percent of MIRPE complications occurred in the first 25 cases. The mean blood loss was under 90 mL for both MIRPE and MRR. Mean operating time was 75 minutes for MIRPE and 212 minutes for MRR. Ninety-six percent of MIRPE patients and no MRR patients had epidurals. Intravenous analgesics averaged 5 days for MIRPE and 1.7 days for MRR. Mean hospitalization was 6.5 days for MIRPE and 2.9 days for MRR. Mean time before return to work or school was 18 days for MIRPE and 12 days for MRR. The sternal bar was removed from 107 of 139 MRR patients (mean time, 19 minutes) and 18 of 68 MIRPE patients (mean time, 25 minutes). Conclusions: Both MIRPE and MRR provide excellent clinical results. MRR has a longer operating time but decreased hospital stay, complication rate, and use of pain medications. Attention to technical operative details and surgeon's experience are essential for optimal results using both techniques.
An agent-based distributed monitoring framework (Extended abstract)

In compute clusters, monitoring of infrastructure and application components is essential for performance assessment, failure detection, problem forecasting, better resource allocation, and several other reasons. Present day trends towards larger and more heterogeneous clusters, rise of virtual data-centers, and greater variability of usage suggest that we have to rethink how we do monitoring. We need solutions that will remain scalable in the face of unforeseen expansions, can work in a wide-range of environments, and be adaptable to changes of requirements. We have developed an agent-based framework for constructing such monitoring solutions. Our framework deals with all scalability and flexibility issues associated with monitoring and leaves only the use-case specific task of data generation to the specific solution. This separation of concerns provides a versatile design that enables a single monitoring solution to work in a range of environments; and, at the same time, enables a range of monitoring solutions exhibiting different behaviors to be constructed by varying the tunable parameters of the framework. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of our novel framework.
Magnetite−Polypyrrole Metacomposites: Dielectric Properties and Magnetoresistance Behavior

The conductive polypyrrole (PPy) polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) reinforced with different magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticle loadings have been successfully synthesized by using a facile surface initiated polymerization (SIP) method. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to characterize the surface morphology of the as-received Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs), pure PPy and Fe3O4/PPy PNCs. The high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) is used to observe the nanoparticle dispersion within the polymer matrix. The chemical structure of the PNCs is characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the Fe3O4/PPy PNCs is assessed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) results reveal that the addition of NPs has a significant effect on the crystallization of PPy. The switching frequency, at which the permittivity switches from negative to positive, is observed in the synthesized pure PPy and Fe3O4/PPy PNCs. The optical band gap of Fe3O4/P...
Multiple Extracellular Loop Domains Contribute Critical Determinants for Agonist Binding and Activation of the Secretin Receptor

Distinct themes exist for ligand-binding domains of G protein-coupled receptors. The secretin receptor is prototypic of a recently described family in this superfamily which binds moderate-sized peptides possessing a diffuse pharmacophore. We recently demonstrated the importance of the N terminus and first loop of this receptor for secretin binding (Holtmann, M. H., Hadac, E. M., and Miller, L. J. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270:14394-14398). Here, we extend those findings to define another receptor domain important for agonist recognition and to focus on critical determinants within each of these domains. Extending the secretin-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) chimeric receptor approach, we confirmed and refined the critical importance of the N terminus and the need to complement this with other domains of the secretin receptor. There was redundancy in the complementary determinants required, with the second extracellular loop able to compensate for the absence of the first loop. The first 10 residues of the N terminus of the secretin receptor were critical. Sequential segmental and site replacements permitted focusing on the His189-Lys190 sequence at the C terminus of the first extracellular loop, and on four residues (Phe257, Leu258, Asn260, and Thr261) in the N-terminal half of the second loop as providing critical determinants. All receptor constructs which expressed sensitive cAMP responses to secretin (EC50 <5 nM) bound this peptide with high affinity. Of note, one construct dissociated high affinity binding of secretin from its biological responsiveness, providing a clue to the conformational "switch" that activates this receptor.
Anonymous self-evaluation of performance by ethics board members: a pilot study.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a Reserch Ethics Committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB) continues to be a difficult task. There are limited data that examine the perceptions of members of IR...
Structure-based design of hepatitis C virus inhibitors

Summary. The limitations of current treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have prompted the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting events specific to viral replication. Over the past decade, advances in the study of HCV molecular biology have led to the identification of cis-acting RNA sequences and viral enzymatic activities which present attractive targets for inhibition. High-resolution, three-dimensional structures of the HCV serine protease, helicase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase have been determined through X-ray crystallographic studies. More recently, solution structures of these proteins and the HCV internal ribosome entry site have been evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Mutational analysis and structural characterization of these macromolecules in complex with bound substrates, cofactors and inhibitors has further defined the various electrochemical interactions which mediate protein–protein, protein–RNA and other intermolecular contacts. This review will discuss the available structural data with respect to the rational design of HCV enzyme inhibitors and the development of antisense-based therapeutic strategies, such as RNA interference.
The Mammalian Hsp40 ERdj3 Requires Its Hsp70 Interaction and Substrate-binding Properties to Complement Various Yeast Hsp40-dependent Functions *

Heat shock proteins of 70 kDa (Hsp70s) and their J domain-containing Hsp40 cofactors are highly conserved chaperone pairs that facilitate a large number of cellular processes. The observation that each Hsp70 partners with many J domain-containing proteins (JDPs) has led to the hypothesis that Hsp70 function is dictated by cognate JDPs. If this is true, one might expect highly divergent Hsp70-JDP pairs to be unable to function in vivo. However, we discovered that, when a yeast cytosolic JDP, Ydj1, was targeted to the mammalian endoplasmic reticulum (ER), it interacted with the ER-lumenal Hsp70, BiP, and bound to BiP substrates. Conversely, when a mammalian ER-lumenal JDP, ERdj3, was directed to the yeast cytosol, it rescued the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of yeast-containing mutant alleles in two cytosolic JDPs, HLJ1 and YDJ1, and activated the ATP hydrolysis rate of Ssa1, the yeast cytosolic Hsp70 that partners with Hlj1 and Ydj1. Surprisingly, ERdj3 mutants that were compromised for substrate binding were unable to rescue the hlj1ydj1 growth defect even though they stimulated the ATPase activity of Ssa1. Yet, J domain mutants of ERdj3 that were defective for interaction with Ssa1 restored the growth of hlj1ydj1 yeast. Taken together, these data suggest that the substrate binding properties of certain JDPs, not simply the formation of unique Hsp70-JDP pairs, are critical to specify in vivo function.
The regulation of p33 gene expression by insulin and calcium ionophores.

We have previously shown that insulin induces p33 transcription and mRNA levels in serum-deprived rat H4 hepatoma cells. In the current study, the effects of the calcium ionophores A23187 and ionomycin on the regulation of p33 gene expression were examined. When H4 cells were incubated with A23187 or ionomycin (1 microM) for 90-300 min, 700-900% and 400-600% increases in p33 mRNA levels were observed. The effects of ionophore and insulin together on p33 mRNA levels were not additive. Insulin-induced increases in p33 mRNA levels were diminished at low concentrations of extracellular calcium, but were unchanged by the calcium channel blocker verapamil. The chelation of intracellular calcium using 20 and 60 microM quin2-AM resulted in 50% and 90% reductions in insulin-induced p33 mRNA levels. When transcription assays were performed, A23187 treatment for 15-180 min increased p33 transcription 300-400%. The lesser effect of A23187 on transcription compared to that on mRNA levels was also true for insulin trea...
The coagulation biology of cancer

It is common knowledge that blood coagulation and fibrinolysis are activated systemically in patients with malignancy. Studies in specific in vitro and animal models of malignancy have implicated either tumour cell procoagulants or urokinase in promoting malignant disease progression, based on the participation of one or the other of these in mechanisms of tumour cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. It has recently been shown that individual human tumour types may manifest either a tumour cell-associated coagulation pathway in the absence urokinase, urokinase expression in the absence of a tumour cell-associated coagulation pathway, or neither of these. Mounting evidence suggests that anticoagulant and urokinase therapy are capable of ameliorating the clinical course of a procoagulant tumour type namely, small cell carcinoma of the lung. Clinical trials of agents capable of inhibiting urokinase-initiated proteolysis are required to clarify cause/effect relationships in urokinase-expressing tumours.
Adsorption of Eutectic LiCl−KCl into Zeolite 4A Using a Mechanically Fluidized Vacuum System

A high-temperature mixer has been used to absorb LiCl-KCl eutectic salt powders into zeolite 4A. In situ sampling has been performed, allowing for a time-resolved view of the adsorption reaction. The weight percent free (nonabsorbed) chloride ions has been used as a measure of the effectiveness of the adsorption process. Using zeolite 4A powder with no binder, the free chloride concentration leveled off at 0.4--0.5 wt % in less than 5 h at 500 C. Zeolite 4A granules ({minus}60 + 200 mesh) containing binder yielded a free chloride concentration of 0.02 wt % after 5 h at 500 C. It is concluded that the improved performance from the granulated zeolite can be attributed to better mixing within the retort. A 50% reduction in the free chloride concentration below the melting point of the salt suggests that solid-state adsorption of the salt into the zeolite is possible.
Thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the skin: a cutaneous manifestation of a widely disseminated malignancy.

Abstract Background: Cutaneous metastases develop in 2% to 9% of patients with an internal malignancy. Thyroid carcinoma metastatic to the skin is a rare clinical entity. Objective: Our purpose was to study the clinical and pathologic features and outcome in patients with cutaneous metastasis from thyroid carcinoma. Methods: The study included a retrospective analysis of six patients with skin metastases from thyroid carcinoma and a review of the English-language literature since 1964. Results: Including our six patients, 43 patients with skin metastases from thyroid carcinoma have been reported. Papillary carcinoma was the most common (41%), followed by follicular (28%), anaplastic (15%), and medullary carcinomas (15%). The scalp was the most common site of metastasis. For our patients, the average length of survival after diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis was 19 months. Conclusion: Cutaneous metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is rare and occurs in the setting of disseminated neoplastic disease. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;36:531-7.)
Mode competition in photorefractive resonators

In this paper the competition between two modes in a uni-directional ring resonator having photorefractive gain, is investigated. Each mode is defined in terms of different frequency and angle of incidence. The interacting beams are assumed to be plane waves with an amplitude varying along the direction of propagation only.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cross-Immunity between Brucella melitensis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Intracellular Behavior of Brucella melitensis in Monocytes from Vaccinated Animals.

A non-specific element has been demonstrated in the resistance of monocytes derived from immunized rabbits. Vaccination by BCG or by an effective anti-brucellosis reagent induces protection in either case against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Brucella melitensis when studied by the monocyte culture method. The activity of the antiserum required to demonstrate the resistance of the monocyte is not affected when the agglutinating action of the anti- Brucella rabbit serum is removed by absorption. The ability of the monocytes from specifically immunized rabbits to retard the growth of virulent Brucella was demonstrated, not as an all-or-none phenomenon, but in the light of the unrestricted bacterial multiplication which occurs in monocytes from normal animals.
EEG spike activity precedes epilepsy after kainate-induced status epilepticus

Summary Purpose: Chronic epilepsy frequently develops after brain injury, but prediction of which individual patient will develop spontaneous recurrent seizures (i.e., epilepsy) is not currently possible. Here, we use continuous radiotelemetric electroencephalography (EEG) and video monitoring along with automated computer detection of EEG spikes and seizures to test the hypothesis that EEG spikes precede and are correlated with subsequent spontaneous recurrent seizures. Methods: The presence and pattern of EEG spikes was studied during long recording epochs between the end of status epilepticus (SE) induced by three different doses of kainate and the onset of chronic epilepsy. Results: The presence of spikes, and later spike clusters, over several days after SE before the first spontaneous seizure, was consistently associated with the development of chronic epilepsy. The rate of development of epilepsy (i.e., increase in seizure frequency) was strongly correlated with the frequency of EEG spikes and the cumulative number of EEG spikes after SE. Conclusions: The temporal features of EEG spikes (i.e., their presence, frequency, and pattern [clusters]) when analyzed over prolonged periods, may be a predictive biomarker for the development of chronic epilepsy after brain injury. Future clinical trials using prolonged EEG recordings may reveal the diagnostic utility of EEG spikes as predictors of subsequent epilepsy in brain-injured humans.
The influence of grammatical transform in a syllogistic reasoning task

A syllogistic reasoning task was used to study the effects of syntax on the utilization of sentential material. Sixty-four college students each solved 32 syllogisms which varied according to Voice (Active, Passive), Negation (Affirmative, Negative), and Position of major premise (First, Second). Dependent measures were latency, difficulty ratings, and transform of the conclusion. Latency and difficulty ratings were greater for problems written in the Passive or Negative than for those written in the Active or Affirmative as predicted. Solutions to Passive problems were given predominately in the Active while solutions to Negative problems were given in the Negative. Evidently, reasoning processes operate upon the deep structure representation of the functional relationships. The more direct the relationship between the surface and deep structure, the easier is problem solution.
The Neural Mechanisms for Minimizing Cross-Modal Distraction

The neural circuitry that increases attention to goal-relevant stimuli when we are in danger of becoming distracted is a matter of active debate. To address several long-standing controversies, we asked participants to identify a letter presented either visually or auditorily while we varied the amount of cross-modal distraction from an irrelevant letter in the opposite modality. Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed three novel results. First, activity in sensory cortices that processed the relevant letter increased as the irrelevant letter became more distracting, consistent with a selective increase of attention to the relevant letter. In line with this view, an across-subjects correlation indicated that the larger the increase of activity in sensory cortices that processed the relevant letter, the less behavioral interference there was from the irrelevant letter. Second, regions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) involved in orienting attention to the relevant letter also participated in increasing attention to the relevant letter when conflicting stimuli were present. Third, we observed a novel pattern of regional specialization within the cognitive division of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for focusing attention on the relevant letter (dorsal ACC) versus detecting conflict from the irrelevant letter (rostral ACC). These findings indicate novel roles for sensory cortices, the DLPFC, and the ACC in increasing attention to goal-relevant stimulus representations when distracting stimuli conflict with behavioral objectives. Furthermore, they potentially resolve a long-standing controversy regarding the key contribution of the ACC to cognitive control.
Mortality patterns among hypertensives by reported level of caffeine consumption

Abstract The effect of caffeine consumption on mortality was evaluated in a historical cohort study of 10,064 diagnosed hypertensive individuals participating in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program from 1973 to 1979. Total caffeine intake level from beverages (coffee and tea) and certain medications, was estimated at the 1-year visit. No evidence was found supporting an association between increased level of caffeine consumption and increased all-cause mortality or cardiovascular disease mortality during the following 4 years. Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with mortality; the association being more pronounced among non- and low-caffeine consumers for all-cause mortality and among noncaffeine consumers for all cardiovascular mortality except cerebrovascular mortality.
On the analysis of time-periodic nonlinear dynamical systems

In this study, a general technique for the analysis of time-period nonlinear dynamical systems is presented. The method is based on the fact that all quasilinear periodic systems can be replaced by similar systems whose linear parts are time invariant via the well-known Liapunov-Floquet (L-F) transformation. A general procedure for the computation of L-F transformation in terms of Chebyshev polynomials is outlined. Once the transformation has been applied, a periodic orbit in original coordinates has a fixed point representation in the transformed coordinates. The stability and bifurcation analysis of the transformed equations are studied by employing thetime-dependent normal form theory and time-dependent centre manifold reduction. For the two examples considered, the three generic codimension-one bifurcations, viz, Hopf, flip and tangent, are analysed. The methodology is semi-analytic in nature and provides a quantitative measure of stability even under critical conditions. Unlike the perturbation or averaging techniques, this method is applicable even to those systems where the periodic term in the linear part does not contain a small parameter or a generating solution does not exist due to the absence of the time-invariant term in the linear part.
Antiphase complex-coupled surface-emitting distributed-feedback diode lasers

Anti-phase-type complex-coupled, surface-emitting distributed feedback CC-SE-DFB) diode lasers are analyzed for thefirst time. For certain design parameters, both loss-coupled as well as gain-coupled structures are shown to selectlasing in the symmetric mode (i.e. orthonormal emission in a single-lobe pattern). For loss-coupled structures weanalyze a relatively simple configuration: a metallic second-order grating placed atop a diode-laser structure. Thistype of SE-CC-DFB structure can simply be fabricated by a lift-off and evaporation process; can operate in a single-lobed, orthonormal beam with a rather uniform near-field intensity pattern, and external differential quantumefficiency, 1d' values in excess of 30%. Gain-coupled devices consist of a semiconductor-based 2-order gratingplaced at the metal-semiconductor p-side interface. By comparison to loss-coupled devices the threshold gain isreduced by a factor of 2 to 3. A design for realizing 2-D single-lobe, surface-emitting sources is discussed.Keywords: Surface emitter, 2"-order complex-coupled grating, single-lobe beam, metal grating, 2-D emitter.
Duplexes of 21-nucleotide RNAs mediate RNA interference in differentiated mouse ES cells

RNA interference (RNAi) is a novel phenomenon that can induce post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) both in animals and plants. RNAi is effective in suppressing specific gene expression in the early mouse embryonic cells and in undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells. In this study, we demonstrate that dsRNA is effective in inducing PTGS in differentiated ES cells: CD34+ embryoid body (EB) cells, as confirmed by western blot and immunocytochemical staining. PU.1 is a key transcription factor in myeloid differentiation. Undifferentiated ES cells do not express PU.1; however it is expressed when ES cells differentiate into EBs. PU.1 could be suppressed by the specific PU.1 dsRNA, but not non-specific Lamin A/C dsRNA, in the CD34+ EB cells when they were induced to myeloid differentiation in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-3. As a consequence, the level of expression of CD115 (M-CSF receptor), one of the downstream genes regulated by PU.1 is decreased in PU.1 dsRNA treated CD34+ EB cells, but not in Lamin A/C dsRNA treated cells. To explore this phenomenon in other myeloid gene, we also found that C/EBPalpha gene could be knocked down by C/EBPalpha dsRNA. Our finding demonstrates that RNAi is effective in inhibiting specific gene expression in differentiated ES cells. RNAi offers a new methodology for study of hematopoietic regulation using ES cell differentiation.
ACTH therapy for infantile spasms: a combination therapy with high-dose pyridoxal phosphate and low-dose ACTH.

Summary: Combination therapy consisting of high-dose pyridoxal phosphate (40–50 m/kg/day) and low-dose synthetic ACTH (0.01 mg/kg/day) was prescribed in 28 children with infantile spasms. Monotherapy with pyridoxal phosphate provided excellent seizure control in 3 of the 28 (11%) patients. ACTH was subsequently added to the regimen of the remaining 25 patients. As of 1 month after discontinuing the ACTH treatment, 21 of the 25 (84%) patients had experienced no seizures. The mean interval until seizure control was achieved was 4.1 days after the start of treatment with ACTH. The 21 patients have been monitored for a mean of 34.9 months (range 2–81 months); 6 patients (29%) have had recurrences of infantile spasms, and 10 (48%) have experienced normal development. Fourteen of the 28 patients (50%) have had transient increases in liver enzymes, but none of the patients developed more serious side effects.
Nonlocal conserved quantities, balance laws, and equations of motion

A formalism is developed whereby balance laws are directly obtained from nonlocal (integrodifferential) linear second-order equations of motion for systems described by several dependent variables. These laws augment the equations of motion as further useful information about the physical system and, under certain conditions, are shown to reduce to conservation laws. The formalism can be applied to physical systems whose equations of motion may be relativistic and either classical or quantum. It is shown to facilitate obtaining global conservation laws for quantities which include energy and momentum. Applications of the formalism are given for a nonlocal Schrodinger equation and for a system of local relativistic equations of motion describing particles of arbitrary integral spin.
Qualification Testing of Large Bore, HP Tubing Retrievable Safety Valves for Gas Wells

Over the past decade, the role of natural gas has become increasingly important in fulfilling the ever-increasing energy needs of the world. Natural Gas has not only become an integral part of the world’s energy portfolio but also offers a cleaner and more efficient fuel to help reduce carbon emissions when compared to oil. Recently, Saudi Aramco has made three major offshore, high pressure, non-associated gas discoveries. A large bore completion design was selected for these fields in order to bring these discoveries on line quickly and cost effectively. The surface controlled, sub-surface safety valve is a critical component of the asset integrity management program for these gas wells. In order to meet the requirements of completion design and reservoir pressure, the world’s first 9-5/8in 10,000psi rated TRSSSV were developed tested and qualified for these developments. As part of qualification testing, high rate slam closure testing of the TRSSSV was carried out at the Southwest Research Institute and at GL Nobel Denton facilities. The objective of the tests was to ensure that TRSSSV closes, seals and continues functioning after a slam at the highest anticipated flow velocity in the wells. Additionally, slam test results were used to design surface and subsurface components that are required to operate the TRSSSV and must be capable of withstanding the shock load produced by a slam closure. Two leading completion companies were selected to develop and provide the TRSSSVs for these projects. Both designs suffered initial failures, required significant modification, and underwent extensive tests before the final designs were successfully tested. This paper discusses the basis of design, test criterion, results and lessons learned from the slam testing of the world’s first 9-5/8in, 10,000 psi rated TRSSSV. The paper also provides an overview of the two test facilities used, their limitations, and recommendations for future tests.
Syndetic model of fundamental interactions

The standard model of quarks and leptons is extended to connect three outstanding issues in particle physics and astrophysics: (1) the absence of strong CP nonconservation, (2) the existence of dark matter, and (3) the mechanism of nonzero neutrino masses, and that of the first family of quarks and leptons, all in the context of having only one Higgs boson in a renormalizable theory. Some phenomenological implications are discussed.
Kinetic and proteomic analyses of S-nitrosoglutathione-treated hexokinase A: consequences for cancer energy metabolism

Mammalian hexokinase (HXK) is found at the outer mitochondrial membrane, exposed to mitochondrial oxygen- and nitrogen-radicals. Given the important role of this enzyme in metabolic pathways and diseases, the effect of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) on HXK A structure and activity was studied. To focus on the catalytic domain, yeast HXK A was used because it has a significant homology to the mammalian domain that contains both the regulatory and catalytic sites. Biologically relevant [GSNO]/[HXK] caused a significant decrease in V(max) with glucose (but not with fructose), along with oxidation of 5 Met and nitration of 4 Tyr. Preincubation of HXK with glucose abrogated the effect of GSNO whereas fructose was ineffective. These results are interpreted by considering the tight binding of glucose to the enzyme as opposed to that of fructose. The segment comprised from amino acids 304 to 306 contained the most modifications. Given that this sequence is highly conserved in HXK from various species, a decline in activity is expected when a high-affinity substrate is presented. Considering that changes in primary structure are envisioned at high [GSNO]/[HXK] ratios, like those present under normal conditions, it could be hypothesized that the high concentration of hexokinase present in fast growing tumors may serve not only to sustain high glycolysis rates, but also to minimize protein damage that might result in activity decline, compromising energy metabolism.
Selection of cost-optimal 2k−p fractional factorials

Selecting an optimal 2k−pfractional factorial is structured as a mathematical programming problem. An algorithm is defined for the solution, and the case of additive costs is shown to have a known solution for resolution III designs.
Solitons and spectral renormalization methods in nonlinear optics

Localized wave solutions, often referred to as solitary waves or solitons, are important classes of solutions in nonlinear optics. In optical communications, weakly nonlinear, quasi-monochromatic waves satisfy the “classical” and the “dispersion-managed” nonlocal nonlinear Schrodinger equations, both of which have localized pulses as special solutions. Recent research has shown that mode-locked lasers are also described by similar equations. These systems are variants of the classical nonlinear Schrodinger equation, appropriately modified to include terms which model gain, loss and spectral filtering that are present in the laser cavity. To study their remarkable properties, a computational method is introduced to find localized waves in nonlinear optical systems governed by these equations.
CAVITY MODELS FOR SOLID AND HOLLOW PROJECTILES

Two analytical models for the crater size generated by long-rod and thick-walled tube projectiles are presented. The first is based on energy; in a steady-state penetration, the kinetic energy loss of a projectile is related to the total energy deposited in the target. This simple approach provides an upper bound for the crater size. The second approach is based on the observation that two mechanisms are involved in cavity growth due to long projectiles: flow of projectile erosion products, which exerts radial stress on the target and opens a cavity, and radial momentum of the target as it flows around the projectile nose (cavitation). This analysis includes the centrifugal force exerted by the projectile, radial momentum of the target, and the strength of the target. Thus, it can estimate the extent of cavity growth due to projectile mushrooming, which cannot be predicted by other analyses. This model is shown to be in good agreement with experimental data.
Controlled Assembly of Monolayer-Protected Gold Clusters by Dissolved DNA

One-dimensional chains of gold nanoparticles coated with cationic trimethyl(mercaptoundecyl)ammonium (TMA) monolayers have been electrostatically assembled along DNA molecules in solution by careful control of the relative molar quantities of nanoparticles and DNA base pairs. The nanoparticles are monolayer-protected Au clusters (MPCs) with average diameter 4.4 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of dried solution droplets in which the DNA base pair/MPC mole ratio was about 20:1 display chains of nanoparticles a few microns long in which the Au cores are lined up with nearly contacting cationic monolayer edges along the anionic DNA template. The gold core edge-edge distance in the TEM image is 2.9±0.9 nm, which is roughly twice the TMA monolayer thickness. The linear structures formed at a 10:1 DNA base pair/MPC mole ratio appear to persist stably in solutions. The Au surface plasmon resonance band in UV−vis spectra intensifies and red-shifts as the DNA/MPC mole ratio is increased; precipita...
Genes for race‐specific resistance to yellow rust (Puccinia striiformis) in Indian wheat cultivars

Seedlings of Indian wheat cultivars (Kalyansona, Sonalika, WL711 and eight others released commercially) were tested with 13 British and four alien races of Puccinia striiformis. The data indicated the probable presence of the resistance gene Yr2 in the three cultivars named above and in six of the others. Reactions of the remaining two cultivars, PWB12 and WL2265, were consistent with the presence of the gene 177. The presence of Yr2 in Kalyansona, Sonalika and WL711 was supported by evidence from crosses between them and with Heines VII, which is known to carry Yr2. In crosses of Sonalika with a susceptible cultivar, Kharchia Local and also with WL711, tests of F1, F2 and F3 generations indicated that, in addition to Yr2, Sonalika possesses at least two other genes. Both these genes were difficult to detect but the F3 data supported the hypothesis that there is a single partially recessive gene giving resistance to alien race 6E16 and a different, possibly complementary, gene system effective against another alien race, 39E134. The presence of resistance in addition to Yr2 was also detected in WL711 and HD2329.
A high-performance transport network platform

This paper introduces the architecture and the technology of the new IBM transport network offering, which supports both fixed-length and variable-length packet switching. After a review of the broadband networking environment and the requirements it makes on the transport network, the transport network node is described. The hardware and software architecture is described, and performance figures are reported showing that the switch can handle a mix of traffic while sustaining maximum throughput.
GPS Remote Sensing Measurements Using Aerosonde UAV

In February 2004, a NASA-Langley GPS Remote Sensor (GPSRS) unit was flown on an Aerosonde unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) in Virginia. Using direct and surface-reflected 1.575 GHz coarse acquisition (C/A) coded GPS signals, remote sensing measurements were obtained over land and portions of open water. The strength of the surface-reflected GPS signal is proportional to the amount of moisture in the surface, and is also influenced by surface roughness. Amplitude and other characteristics of the reflected signal allow an estimate of wind speed over open water. In this paper we provide a synopsis of the instrument accommodation requirements, installation procedures, and preliminary results from what is likely the first-ever flight of a GPS remote sensing instrument on a UAV. The correct operation of the GPSRS unit on this flight indicates that Aerosonde-like UAV's can serve as platforms for future GPS remote sensing science missions.
Cyberbullying: A preliminary assessment for school personnel

Because of the advent and growth of technology, a new variation of bullying—cyberbullying—has transformed from the physical to the virtual. Cyberbullying is a form of psychological cruelty. Although cyberbullying usually occurs off school grounds, schools are experiencing its repercussions (Li, 2006). This article provides an overview of cyberbullying, defines the difference between bullying and cyberbullying, and provides a psychological explanation of cyberbullying behaviors and the psychological impact of cyberbullying. The review of literature suggests that there is a lapse in preventative intervention to create and maintain awareness and safety for young people. Implications and guidelines are provided for school personnel to address this problem and develop prevention strategies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hybrid finite element modelling of conformal antenna and array structures utilizing fast integral methods

SUMMARY Hybrid "nite element methods (FEM) which combine the "nite element and boundary integral methods have been found very successful for the analysis of conformal "nite and periodic arrays embedded on planar or curved platforms. A key advantage of these hybrid methods is their capability to model inhomogeneous and layered material without a need to introduce complicated Green’s functions. Also, they o!er full geometrical adaptability and are thus of interest in general-purpose analysis and design. For the proposed hybrid FEM, the boundary integral is only used on the aperture to enforce the radiation condition by employing the standard free space Green’s function. The boundary integral truncation of the FEM volume domain, although necessary for rigor, is also the cause of substantial increase in CPU complexity. In this paper, we concentrate on fast integral methods for speeding-up the computation of these boundary integrals during the execution of the iterative solver. We consider both the adaptive integral method (AIM) and the fast multipole method (FMM) to reduce the complexity of boundary integral computation down to O(Na) with a(1.5. CPU and memory estimates are given when the AIM and FMM accelerations are employed as compared to the standard O(N2) algorithms. In addition, several examples are included to demonstrate the practicality and application of these fast hybrid methods to planar "nite and in"nite arrays, frequency selective surfaces, and arrays on curved platforms. Copyright ( 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantum Electrodynamics Without Photon Self-Energy Parts: An Application of the Callan-Symanzik Scaling Equations

In a series of recent papers, Johnson, Baker, and Willey study quantum electrodynamics with internal photon self-energy parts omitted. They find that in this model the asymptotic electron and photon propagators have remarkable, simple properties. In the present note we show that these properties can be derived in a very economical fashion by using the Callan-Symanzik scaling equations.
SU-8 Microfluidic Channels with Porous Sidewalls for Biological Applications

ABSTRACT Microfluidic devices are currently being utilized in many types of BioMEMS and medical applications. In these systems, the interaction betwee n the surface and the biological specimen depends critically on surface properties. The surface roughness and chemistry as well as the surface area to which the biomolecules or cells are exposed affect this interaction. Modification of the surface of microfluidic channels can improve the operation of the device by influencing the behavior of the biological specimens that are flowing through it. SU-8 is an epoxy-based, negative photoresist that has been previously used to create covered channels. Once cured, it is both chemically and thermally stable. It is also optically transparent above 360 nm, which allows optical measurements, including fluorescence imaging, to be taken inside the channel. SU-8 microchannels have been fabricated with a porous layer on the sidewalls by the photo-lithographic process, which is reproducible with precisely controlled channel dimensions. In order to attain these porous sidewalls, no additional fabrication steps are re quired outside the standard photo-lithographic process. The porosity of the sidewalls is a result of incomplete cross-linking of the polymer. The obtained porous surfaces can be specially treated to provide conditions preferable for biological interactions. The porous layer increases the internal surface area available on the sidewalls, which make these micr ofluidic channels preferable for biological applications. This paper describes the details of the fabrication process and the experiments that verify the benefit of using SU-8 microchannels with porous sidewalls. Keywords: SU-8, porous sidewalls, microfluidics, silanization, antibody immobilization,
Antisense oligonucleotides containing locked nucleic acid improve potency but cause significant hepatotoxicity in animals

A series of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) containing either 2′-O-methoxyethylribose (MOE) or locked nucleic acid (LNA) modifications were designed to investigate whether LNA antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have the potential to improve upon MOE based ASO therapeutics. Some, but not all, LNA containing oligonucleotides increased potency for reducing target mRNA in mouse liver up to 5-fold relative to the corresponding MOE containing ASOs. However, they also showed profound hepatotoxicity as measured by serum transaminases, organ weights and body weights. This toxicity was evident for multiple sequences targeting three different biological targets, as well as in mismatch control sequences having no known mRNA targets. Histopathological evaluation of tissues from LNA treated animals confirmed the hepatocellular involvement. Toxicity was observed as early as 4 days after a single administration. In contrast, the corresponding MOE ASOs showed no evidence for toxicity while maintaining the ability to reduce target mRNA. These studies suggest that while LNA ASOs have the potential to improve potency, they impose a significant risk of hepatotoxicity.