cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Jekyll on iOS: when benign apps become evil

Apple adopts the mandatory app review and code signing mechanisms to ensure that only approved apps can run on iOS devices. In this paper, we present a novel attack method that fundamentally defeats both mechanisms. Our method allows attackers to reliably hide malicious behavior that would otherwise get their app rejected by the Apple review process. Once the app passes the review and is installed on an end user's device, it can be instructed to carry out the intended attacks. The key idea is to make the apps remotely exploitable and subsequently introduce malicious control flows by rearranging signed code. Since the new control flows do not exist during the app review process, such apps, namely Jekyll apps, can stay undetected when reviewed and easily obtain Apple's approval. We implemented a proof-of-concept Jekyll app and successfully published it in App Store. We remotely launched the attacks on a controlled group of devices that installed the app. The result shows that, despite running inside the iOS sandbox, Jekyll app can successfully perform many malicious tasks, such as stealthily posting tweets, taking photos, stealing device identity information, sending email and SMS, attacking other apps, and even exploiting kernel vulnerabilities.
Assessment of cytotoxicity and DNA damage exhibited by siloranes and oxiranes in cultured mammalian cells.

Abstract The potential reactivity and structural properties of oxiranes (epoxides) are advantageous when considering polymers for medical devices. However, epoxy compounds are widely known to have genotoxic properties. The objective of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and primary DNA damage effects induced by oxiranes and siloranes, silicon containing oxiranes. The siloranes, Ph-Sil, Tet-Sil, and Sil-Mix and the oxiranes Cyracure™ UVR-6105 and 1,3-bis[2-(2-oxiranylmethyl) phenoxy]pentane (OMP-5) were dissolved in organic solvents and dilutions containing less than 0.5% solvent were used in biological assays. The concentration that reduced the viability of 50% (TC 50 ) of L929 cells was measured using the MTT assay and guided the selection of subtoxic doses for evaluation of DNA damage. Ph-Sil was more cytotoxic than OMP-5, Cyracure™ UVR-6105 and Sil-Mix. However, the TC 50 value of Tet-Sil could not be determined due to its poor solubility. DNA damage was evaluated in the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay with CHO cells, and the alkaline comet assay with L929 cells. In contrast to the siloranes, the oxiranes exhibited significant increases ( p > 0.05) in SCE frequencies and DNA migration relative to their solvent controls. Our findings support previous reports that siloranes have low genotoxic potential and can be suitable components for development of biomaterials.
Chaos-induced synchronization in discrete-time oscillators driven by a random input

The research reported in this paper focuses on the response of identical discrete-time neural oscillators to a random telegraph signal input. It is shown that there are well-defined domains in which the random input can synchronize even a large population of oscillators within a few hundred steps. The presence of chaos is shown to be essential for the synchronization, which suggests a possible role for chaos in spatially extended physical systems. The effect of independent noise on the system is also studied.
Electrical and contractile consequences of Na+ or Ca2+ gradient reduction in cultured heart cells.

The normal electrical and contractile activity of cultured neonatal rat ventricular cells is characterized and compared to activity seen in low [Ca2+]0 and low [Na+]0 solutions. In 0 Ca2+/0.5 mm EGTA solutions electrical activity is altered: the maximum diastolic potential (m.d.p.), maximum rate of rise (+Vmax), and overshoot (o.s.) are reduced, while duration is increased. Low [Ca2+]0 activity is insensitive to TTX and blocked by La3+. In low [Na+]0 solutions electrical activity is generally absent; when present +Vmax and o.s. are decreased while duration is increased. Low [Na+]0 activity is blocked by La3+. These data suggest the presence of one La3+-sensitive slow inward current channel. The absence of spontaneous electrical activity in low [Na+]0 solutions suggests an inhibition of automaticity. To determine if this inhibition is due to a reduction of the Na+ gradient, drugs which raise [Na+]i were examined. Both monensin (a Na+ ionophore) and ouabain inhibit the occurrence of spontaneous action potentials (cells respond to stimulation) indicating a dependence of pacemaker activity on a normal Na+ gradient. During Na+ gradient reduction, asynchronous subcellular contractile activity occurs independent of membrane potential fluctuation. This asynchronous activity is inhibited by La3+ or when Ca2+0 is absent, but continues in the presence of verapamil (normal activity is blocked by all three conditions). The Na+Ca2+ exchange system is unaffected by verapamil but blocked by La3+, while both these drugs block the slow inward current. These data indicate that the Na+Ca2+ exchange system can directly supply Ca2+ (independent of electrical activity at the membrane) to intracellular sites that support contractile activity.
Lack of contribution of nitric oxide to basal vasomotor tone in heart failure.

Abstract Patients with heart failure have reduced forearm vasodilator responses when endothelial cell nitric oxide production is stimulated by muscarinic agonists. The aim of this study was to determine if activity of the nitric oxide pathway was also abnormal under basal conditions. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured with strain-gauge plethysmography in response to the intraarterial infusion of a subsystemic dose range of L-N-monomethylarginine (L-NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. In 18 normal subjects, the baseline FBF of 3.6 ± 1.4 was decreased by 0.3 ± 0.5 (p
Studies on tuberculin fever. I. The mechanism of fever in tuberculin hypersensitivity.

Evidence has been presented that the fever elicited by intravenous administration of old tuberculin (O.T.) in BCG-infected rabbits is a specific property of this hypersensitivity system and is probably not due to contamination of tuberculin with bacterial endotoxins. Daily injections of O.T. in sensitized animals resulted in a rapid tolerance to its pyrogenic effect. Tuberculin tolerance can be differentiated from that occurring with endotoxins and was invariably associated with the development of a negative skin test. The mechanism of this tolerance would thus appear to be desensitization. A circulating pyrogen found during tuberculin fever was indistinguishable in its biologic effects from endogenous pyrogens obtained in several other types of experimental fever. This material produced fevers in normal recipients and therefore may be clearly differentiated from O.T. itself which was pyrogenic only to sensitized animals. Since the titer of serum pyrogen was directly proportional to the degree of fever induced by injection of O.T. in the donor animals, a causal relation is suggested. On the basis of these findings, it is postulated that tuberculin fever is due to a circulating endogenous pyrogen released by a specific action of O.T. on sensitized cells of the host.
High throughput electric thruster test stand design

The difficulty in developing a test stand for electric (MPD or ion) thrusters involves the following issues: Pumping requirements for high speed and throughput, power supply requirements and associated waste heat removal, erosion of surfaces in contact with the plume and the lack of plume data required for test stand design. The pumping requirements which are dealt with here, have been so difficult to meet that little progress has been made on long pulse issues. A design is proposed using a surface pumping technology, titanium gettering, that has been developed in fusion research laboratories. The getter pumping must be used in a differential pumping scheme to handle the throughput and pumping speed requirements. By starting with short pulse experiments, plume data can be accumulated for the more critical design of the continuous operation test stand for MPD thruster life time tests.
Response of CsI(T1) Crystals to Low-Energy Heavy Ions

The relative light output of thallium-activated cesium iodide was measured as a function of incident ion energy for ions of H, He, C, N, O, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, and Hg. Pulse height versus energy curves were obtained for protons from 1 to 100 keV, for helium ions from 10 to 100 keV, for carbon ions from 16 to 300 keV, for nitrogen ions from 40 to 200 keV, for oxygen ions from 20 to 200 keV, for neon ions from 30 to 200 keV, for argon and krypton ions from 60 to 200 keV, for xenon ions from 70 to 200 keV, and for mercury ions from 100 to 300 keV. In all cases studied here, the relation of the pulse height to incident ion energy is linear; the slope decreases as the mass is increased. The resolution (ratio of full width of the peak at half-maximum intensity to the peak central value) is approximately proportional to the inverse of the square root of the energy.
A new approach in dose measurement and error analysis for narrow photon beams (beamlets) shaped by different multileaf collimators using a small detector

Dose measurement for narrow stereotactic beams and intensity modulation radiotherapy beamlets is difficult and error-prone due to the lack of lateral electron equilibrium. A small detector position error and finite sensitive volume as well as the nonfocus collimation could result in considerable (>10%) measurement errors. A new method is introduced here to measure the dose and error components so that the accuracy and precision of the dose measurement can be improved. Based on superposition principle, we can create exactly the small field of interest by subtraction of a reference open field (O-field) and two strip fields (S-fields) from the sum of four quadrant fields (Q-fields). The position effect on the dose measurement is determined by the standard deviation of the four Q-field readings. The collimator leaf-edge effect (LEE) is quantified by the difference between the readings of the two S-fields using a detector that has very small sensitive volume. The detector-volume effect can be analytically estimated from the integrals of the dose distributions of the two S-fields over the detector volume. Using a pinpoint ion chamber (PTW N31006) and a stereotactic silicon diode detector (Scanditronix, DEB050), we have measured scatter factors (SF) and tissue-maximum ratios for 6-MV x-ray fields with sizes of 3×3 and 6×6 mm2 shaped by a BrainLAB micromultileaf collimator (microMLC) (M3), 4.4×4.4 and 8.8×8.8 mm2 shaped by a 3DLine double-focus MLC, and 5×5 and 10×10 mm2 by a Varian Millennium MLC. Our experimental results demonstrate that the large errors are often caused by a small setup error or measuring point displacement from the central ray of the beam. The LEE is almost independent of the depth but closely related to the field size and the type of MLC. The volume effect becomes significant when the detector diameter is comparable to the half size of the small fields. Application of the new method using different detectors had achieved less than 8.3% total experiment error for all of the small fields of interest except for the SF of the 3×3 mm2 field from the pinpoint ion chamber that has 15% volume effect. Importantly, the new method using a solid water phantom is clinically convenient and highly reproducible.
De novo structure determination of vancomycin aglycon using the anomalous scattering of chlorine

The crystal structure of vancomycin aglycon has been determined by exploiting the anomalous scattering of Cl atoms present within the molecule. Real-space–reciprocal-space cycling with Shake-and-Bake successfully located the chlorine positions from the Bijvoet differences, even though the anomalous difference Patterson map proved to be uninterpretable. The chlorine anomalous differences lacked sufficient phasing power to produce interpretable electron-density maps. However, when combined with high-resolution native data, the chlorine positions were sufficient to determine the structure using either Shake-and-Bake or a tangent-formula expansion.
Patient preferences for different severities of and treatments for overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVE : Symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) can have profound effects on women's quality of life. However, quantitative data on how women value these symptoms and their treatments are limited. We sought to assess women's preferences, which are referred to as utilities, for different severities of and treatment options for OAB. METHODS : Eighty women-40 with OAB symptoms and 40 without OAB-were recruited from urogynecology and urology practices at an academic institution from April to November 2009. A single, trained interviewer administered a computerized preference elicitation tool to measure preferences for 4 OAB severity levels (urgency/frequency and mild, moderate, and severe urge incontinence), as well as 3 OAB treatments with and without adverse effects or complications, which included (1) anticholinergic medications, (2) botulinum toxin injection, and (3) sacral neuromodulation. Preferences were assessed using the time trade-off (TTO) method. RESULTS : Median TTO scores for OAB decreased as severity increased (urgency/frequency, 0.88; mild, 0.92; moderate, 0.85; severe, 0.73). Median TTO scores assigned to anticholinergic medications were higher (0.93) than those for botulinum (0.88) and sacral neuromodulation (0.85), and adverse effects or complications lowered the utilities for each treatment (anticholinergics, 0.88; botulinum, 0.75; and sacral neuromodulation, 0.78). CONCLUSIONS : Women view symptoms of OAB, particularly moderate or severe symptoms, as being quite burdensome. The degree of invasiveness and the number of adverse effect/complications are important contributors to the utilities that women assign to the various treatment options.
Matroids and antimatroids—a survey

Similarities and differences between matroids (abstract dependence systems) and antimatroids (abstract convexity systems) are discussed and several analogous characterizations of these structures are compared. While both structures are subclasses of greedoids and arise (in different ways) from common structures (e.g. graphs, finite collections of points in R n ), no relation analogous to matroid duality exists for antimatroids.
Continuous production of extracellular antioxidants in suspension cells attenuates the oxidative burst detected in plant microbe interactions

Abstract Suspension cells of Solanacearum tuberosum and Nicotiana tabacum placed in fresh buffer rapidly produce and maintain significant pools of extracellular antioxidants. The extracellular antioxidant was detected by first adding a known amount of exogenous H 2 O 2 to samples and then immediately measuring the remaining H 2 O 2 . The difference between the amount added and amount remaining was used to determine the antioxidant capacity of the sample. This extracellular antioxidant pool attenuates levels of hydrogen peroxide produced during plant–bacterial interactions. When tobacco cells were inoculated with an isolate Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae that causes a hypersensitive response much of the antioxidant capacity had been expended neutralizing the oxidative burst characteristic of such plant–microbe interactions. After a brief delay, the levels of extracellular phenolics increased commensurate to antioxidative capacity in freshly transferred cells within 2–4 h. The strong UV absorbance of these extracellular phenolics within 250 and 350 nm was used to follow oxidation upon reaction with H 2 O 2 . This extracellular antioxidant pool is an important consideration in cell suspension studies of the plant–microbe oxidative burst. This study demonstrates that the true magnitude and timing of the oxidative burst in cell suspensions is masked by extracellular antioxidants.
Genetic and Pharmacological Targeting of CSF-1/CSF-1R Inhibits Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Impairs BRAF-Induced Thyroid Cancer Progression

Advanced human thyroid cancers are densely infiltrated with tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and this correlates with a poor prognosis. We used BRAF-induced papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) mouse models to examine the role of TAMs in PTC progression. Following conditional activation of BRAFV600E in murine thyroids there is an increased expression of the TAM chemoattractants Csf-1 and Ccl-2. This is followed by the development of PTCs that are densely infiltrated with TAMs that express Csf-1r and Ccr2. Targeting CCR2-expressing cells during BRAF-induction reduced TAM density and impaired PTC development. This strategy also induced smaller tumors, decreased proliferation and restored a thyroid follicular architecture in established PTCs. In PTCs from mice that lacked CSF-1 or that received a c-FMS/CSF-1R kinase inhibitor, TAM recruitment and PTC progression was impaired, recapitulating the effects of targeting CCR2-expressing cells. Our data demonstrate that TAMs are pro-tumorigenic in advanced PTCs and that they can be targeted pharmacologically, which may be potentially useful for patients with advanced thyroid cancers.
Synthesis of Phosphates, Carbonates, Titanates and Other Metallates of the Lanthanide and Actinide Elements

In general, synthetic methods for inorganic compounds of the type listed on the title of this chapter have not changed dramatically in the last 50 years; however, the number of known compounds of lanthanide (Ln) and actinide (An) elements has increased significantly. This is especially true for the latter compounds, obviously, due to the discovery of transuranium elements in the 1940’s, The synthesis of a large fraction of the compounds covered in this section has been stimulated by the necessity to understand and solve actual problems of technological. significance. A case in point is that of the disposition of radioactive wastes, which Is sought to be performed in such a manner that injury to the environment is minimized. On the other hand, the fact that actinide elements are radioactive and require handling by special techniques in special enclosures has been a deterrent to research by a larger number of scientists.
PF-04859989 as a template for structure-based drug design: identification of new pyrazole series of irreversible KAT II inhibitors with improved lipophilic efficiency.

Abstract The structure-based design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a new pyrazole series of irreversible KAT II inhibitors are described herein. The modification of the inhibitor scaffold of 1 and 2 from a dihydroquinolinone core to a tetrahydropyrazolopyridinone core led to discovery of a new series of potent KAT II inhibitors with excellent physicochemical properties. Compound 20 is the most potent and lipophilically efficient of these new pyrazole analogs, with a kinact/Ki value of 112,000 M−1 s−1 and lipophilic efficiency (LipE) of 8.53. The X-ray crystal structure of 20 with KAT II demonstrates key features that contribute to this remarkable potency and binding efficiency.
Prenatal alcohol exposure assessment: multiple embedded measures in a prenatal questionnaire ☆

Alcohol exposure during pregnancy is a well-recognized public health problem. Accurate assessment of prenatal alcohol exposure is especially important to identify women in need of intervention. In this study, a 36-item prenatal questionnaire was utilized to survey a representative sample of prenatal care providers to examine prevalence rates of exposure. The questionnaire included three common screening tools for alcohol use during pregnancy and the items necessary to establish a maternal risk profile. In North Dakota, 1081 pregnant women were included in the sample. Eighty (7.4%) were Native American and 952 (88%) were White. The TWEAK screening tool was positive for 253 (23.4%) of the women. Native American women had a 71% increase in positive TWEAK screenings compared to White women. Logistic regression was used to develop a high-risk model. The data from prenatal care can also be used for maternal risk stratification. Early identification can provide opportunity for early interventions to decrease total exposure during pregnancy and to improve the outcome for the child.
Steroid modulation of GABAA receptors in an amphibian brain

Steroids can modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor function in rat brains, but the physiological relevance of this mechanism is still unclear. To determine whether this phenomenon is widespread among vertebrates, we investigated steroid modulation of GABAA receptors in amphibian brain tissue. Equilibrium binding parameters for t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([35S]TBPS) and [3H]flunitrazepam were similar in Taricha granulosa and mammalian brains, as was the allosteric regulation of [35S]TBPS and [3H]flunitrazepam binding by GABA. The rank order and absolute potencies of steroids to inhibit [35S]TBPS binding and enhance [3H]flunitrazepam binding were also similar in Taricha and rat brains. As in mammalian studies, physiological concentrations of corticosterone had no effect on ligand binding or GABA-stimulated Cl- uptake. In autoradiographic studies, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one inhibited [35S]TBPS binding sites in all brain regions examined, whereas corticosterone had no effect on [35S]TBPS binding. These studies suggest that the steroid recognition sites on GABAA receptors have been highly conserved through vertebrate evolution and thus portend physiologically important functions. However, the pharmacological profiles for the GABAA receptor and the high-affinity corticosteroid receptor are apparently different, suggesting there are multiple types of steroid recognition sites on neuronal membranes.
Nonsingular AdS-dS transitions in a landscape scenario

Understanding transitions between different vacua of a multiverse allowing eternal inflation is an open problem whose resolution is important to gain insights on the global structure of the spacetime as well as the problem of measure. In the classical theory, transitions from the anti--de Sitter to de Sitter vacua are forbidden due to the big-crunch singularity. In this paper, we consider toy landscape potentials: a double well and a triple well potential allowing anti--de Sitter and de Sitter vacua, in the effective dynamics of loop quantum cosmology for the $k=\ensuremath{-}1$ FRW model. We show that due to the nonperturbative quantum gravity effects as understood in loop quantum cosmology, nonsingular anti--de Sitter to de Sitter transitions are possible. In the future evolution, an anti--de Sitter bubble universe does not encounter a big-crunch singularity but undergoes a big bounce occurring at a scale determined by the underlying quantum geometry. These nonsingular transitions provide a mechanism through which a probe or a ``watcher,'' used to define a local measure, can safely evolve through the bounce and geodesics can be smoothly extended from anti--de Sitter to de Sitter vacua.
Cadmium-Induced Apoptosis in Mouse Liver

Apoptosis is a process of active cell death, distinct from necrosis and characterized by specific morphological and biochemical features. Although the acute hepatotoxic effects of cadmium (Cd) are well described, little is known about the occurrence of apoptosis in Cd toxicity. Therefore, mice were injected with 5-60 mumol/kg i.p. of Cd and their livers were removed 1.5-48 h later and examined by light microscopy. Cd induced both a time- and dose-dependent increase in apoptotic index, severity of necrosis, and mitotic index. Apoptotic index peaked at 9-14 h after Cd administration and then decreased. The time course of apoptotic DNA fragmentation index, monitored by quantification of oligonucleosomal DNA fragments, correlated with the results obtained by histopathological analysis and a commercial in situ apoptotic DNA detection kit. Liver necrosis, as demonstrated by histology and serum alanine aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase assays, was most severe 14-48 h after Cd injection. Apoptosis was decreasing by 24 h while necrosis persisted. Replacement of liver tissue by blood lakes (peliosis hepatis) was observed after 14 h. The mitotic index increased gradually with time, indicating compensatory liver cell regeneration. There was a progressive increase in the severity of necrosis, apoptotic index, and mitotic index with increasing dose of Cd. These data demonstrate that apoptosis is a major mode of elimination of critically damaged cells in acute Cd hepatotoxicity in the mouse, and it precedes necrosis.
Heat capacities of protein functional groups

Using a precise technique of scanning calorimetry the heat capacities of a series of carboxylic acids and their sodium salts, alcohols, and N-substituted amides have been measured from 5 to 100 degrees C. From these data, the partial molar heat capacities of CH2, CONH, COOH, and COONa groups have been determined. It is shown that the heat capacity of the CH(2) group in aqueous solution is independent of the type of compound used for its determination, is positive at low temperature, and is linearly decreasing in magnitude with an increase in temperature. In contrast, the heat capacities of COOH and COONa groups in aqueous solution are negative at room temperature and their magnitude non-linearly decreases with an increase in temperature. It appears that the partial heat capacity of CONH group in aqueous solution depends on the type of model compound used for its determination. These differences correlate with the difference in the water accessible surface area of atoms in the CONH group in different model compounds.
Optimal trade policy with quality-differentiated goods

In this article we apply the model of vertically differentiated products to international trade. A foreign firm competes with a domestic firm in the latter's market, producing products of varying quality. We examine the nature of the equilibrium in this case, assuming the firms compete in prices. Contrary to the popular belief, we show that a protectionist policy of imposing a tariff on the foreign firm raises overall welfare in the domestic economy, as well as induces the domestic firm to upgrade the quality of its product, if it produces the lower quality product. Furthermore, if minimum quality standards are imposed on the foreign firm, the domestic firm upgrades quality, and overall welfare in the domestic economy is higher.
Reply to "Limitation on numerical bounds on transition probabilities"

It is demonstrated that a good share of the error Shakeshaft attributes to the failure to account for ionization in customary impact-parameter calculations for proton--hydrogen-atom scattering amplitudes really results from the inadequacy of the traveling hydrogenic basis set to account for the dynamic polarization of the hydrogen atom by the moving proton. The lower limit for the first-order bound can be reduced by using hydrogenlike basis functions that allow for this polarization. Bounds on the cross sections obtained by using the bound $delta$$sub 1$ need not be infinite. The inclusion of time-dependent adjustable parameters in the basis functions provides a method for modifying the projection of the deviation vector or error term in the Schroedinger equation in the continuum. The exploratory work of Storm and Rapp appears to offer hope that reasonably accurate bounds on at least the 1s charge-exchange amplitudes and cross sections can be obtained by employing only square-integrable basis functions that contain time-dependent variable parameters. However, if it is necessary to account for the flux in the ionization channels, it is shown that an account could be made without the bound becoming infinite. (AIP)
Creating and probing high density matter at RHIC

Abstract In the search for the Quark-Gluon Plasma, results from RHIC depict formation of a dense system at an energy density greater than 5 GeV/fm 3 , well above that where hadrons exist. Statistical models that describe RHIC data indicate a temperature and baryo-chemical potential at the deconfinement phase transition boundary predicted by lattice QCD calculations. The anisotropic collective flow observed in collisions at RHIC provides direct evidence of strong pressure gradients in the highly interacting dense medium. Hard-scattering, suppression of hadrons at large transverse momentum, and quenching of di-jets are observed in central Au + Au collisions and provide evidence for large energy loss of partons traversing the high density matter created at RHIC.
NE Tagging for Urdu based on Bootstrap POS Learning

Part of Speech (POS) tagging and Named Entity (NE) tagging have become important components of effective text analysis. In this paper, we propose a bootstrapped model that involves four levels of text processing for Urdu. We show that increasing the training data for POS learning by applying bootstrapping techniques improves NE tagging results. Our model overcomes the limitation imposed by the availability of limited ground truth data required for training a learning model. Both our POS tagging and NE tagging models are based on the Conditional Random Field (CRF) learning approach. To further enhance the performance, grammar rules and lexicon lookups are applied on the final output to correct any spurious tag assignments. We also propose a model for word boundary segmentation where a bigram HMM model is trained for character transitions among all positions in each word. The generated words are further processed using a probabilistic language model. All models use a hybrid approach that combines statistical models with hand crafted grammar rules.
An association between type Iγ PI4P 5-kinase and Exo70 directs E-cadherin clustering and epithelial polarization.

E-Cadherin–mediated formation of adherens junctions (AJs) is essential for the morphogenesis of epithelial cells. However, the mechanisms underlying E-cadherin clustering and AJ maturation are not fully understood. Here we report that type Iγ phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIPKIγ) associates with the exocyst via a direct interaction with Exo70, the exocyst subunit that guides the polarized targeting of exocyst to the plasma membrane. By means of this interaction, PIPKIγ mediates the association between E-cadherin and Exo70 and determines the targeting of Exo70 to AJs. Further investigation revealed that Exo70 is necessary for clustering of E-cadherin on the plasma membrane and extension of nascent E-cadherin adhesions, which are critical for the maturation of cohesive AJs. In addition, we observed phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI4,5P2) accumulation at E-cadherin clusters during the assembly of E-cadherin adhesions. PIPKIγ-generated PI4,5P2 is required for recruiting Exo70 to newly formed E-cadherin junctions and facilitates the assembly and maturation of AJs. These results support a model in which PIPKIγ and PIPKIγ-generated PI4,5P2 pools at nascent E-cadherin contacts cue Exo70 targeting and orient the tethering of exocyst-associated E-cadherin. This could be an important mechanism that regulates E-cadherin clustering and AJ maturation, which is essential for the establishment of solid, polarized epithelial structures.
Multicultural Supervision: What Difference Does Difference Make?.

Multicultural sensitivity and competency represent critical components to contemporary practice and supervision in school psychology. Internship and supervision experiences are a capstone experience for many new school psychologists; however, few receive formal training and supervision in multicultural competencies. As an increased number of students from culturally diverse backgrounds are accepted into school psychology training programs, it is likely students will encounter supervisory experiences in which the supervisor is of a culture other than their own. This paper explores cultural factors impacting supervision, reviews research on cultural match between supervisor and supervisee, as well as highlights best practice considerations for engaging in effective multicultural supervision.
BRCA1 deficient embryonic stem cells display a decreased homologous recombination frequency and an increased frequency of non-homologous recombination that is corrected by expression of a Brca1 transgene

BRCA1 is a nuclear phosphoprotein that has been classified as a tumor suppressor based on the fact that women carrying a mutated copy of the BRCA1 gene are at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The association of BRCA1 with RAD51 has led to the hypothesis that BRCA1 is involved in DNA repair. We describe here the generation and analysis of murine embryonic stem (ES) cell lines in which both copies of the murine homologue of the human BRCA1 gene have been disrupted by gene targeting. We show that exogenous DNA introduced into these BRCA1 deficient cells by electroporation is randomly integrated into the genome at a significantly higher rate than in wild type ES cells. In contrast, integration of exogenous DNA by homologous recombination occurs in BRCA1 deficient cells at a significantly lower rate than in wild type controls. When BRCA1 expression is re-established at 5-10% of normal levels by introduction of a Brca1 transgene into BRCA1 deficient ES cells, the frequency of random integration is reduced to wild type levels, although the frequency of homologous recombination is not significantly improved. These results suggest that BRCA1 plays a role in determining the response of cells to double stranded DNA breaks.
Laboratory Rearing of Brown Soft Scale and Its Hymenopterous Parasites

Coccus hesperidum L., an economic pest of Texas citrus, was colonized and has been maintained on citron melons since 1963 at Weslaco, Texas. Also, cultures of 2 introduced hymenopterous parasites of the scale have been reared concurrently by using the laboratory-reared scales as hosts. These scale hosts and parasites are used in laboratory biological studies; in addition, parasites are released periodically in scale-infested citrus groves in an attempt to establish them in the area. Experiments have indicated that encapsulation of parasite eggs by scales, especially those reared in the laboratory, appears to be a common host defense mechanism.
Models of the lunar surface including temperature-dependent thermal properties

Temperature dependent thermal property models of lunar surface and radiative energy transport deduced from RF and IR observations
Resource distribution and its effect on the mating system of a longhorned beetle, Perarthrus linsleyi (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Adults of Perarthrus linsleyi feed on flowers of creosote bush, Larrea tridentata. Mating also occurs on the flowers and foliage of this plant. This food resource is widely and evenly distributed in space, and is usually abundant. The spatial distribution of the beetles bore no relationship to the spatial distribution of flowers among creosote bushes, nor were female beetles distributed predictably with respect to flower distribution. Males moved widely over the area under study, and moved much more frequently than females. Males actively searched for females, and mounted and began copulation attempts without preliminary courtship. Males did not engage in aggressive defense of females, creosote flowers, or creosote bushes. This species exhibits a scramble competition mating system. The spatial distribution of the food resource is a primary factor in the evolution of the mating system of Perarthrus linsleyi.
Eight drive-reward combinations: A test of incentive-motivational theory

Eight groups of 12 rats each were trained to traverse a runway under one of four drive-reward combinations (deprived-food, deprived-no food, satiated-food, or satiated-no food) and then were shifted to a different combination. During Phase I, only deprived-food groups showed increasing response speeds, and no energizing effect of drive was obtained for the deprived-no food group. During Phase II, the group which continued to show some consummatory activity even though it was food satiated extinguished more slowly than the groups from which food reward was omitted. For the other groups, “satiated” or nonrewarded training during Phase I had no effect upon performance during Phase II. The results of both phases of the experiment support the view that consummatory activity is the necessary event in instrumental reward conditioning.
Determination of malachite green and crystal violet in processed fish products

This paper presents analysis of malachite green (MG) and crystal violet (CV) residues in processed fish products. Samples were homogenized and extracted with ammonium acetate buffer and acetonitrile. The extracted residues were partitioned into dichloromethane, in situ oxidized to chromic forms with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone, and cleaned up on neutral alumina and propylsulfonic acid cation-exchange solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. MG and CV were determined at 618 and 588 nm using HPLC with a visible detector (LC-VIS) and confirmed by LC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The recoveries were as follows: MG (74.8-83.8%), LMG (80.0-88.4%), CV (68.6-73.9%), and LCV (85.5-90.0%). The method modified in this study has been evaluated by application in-house to a survey of 253 processed fish products. As a result of monitoring, MG and CV were positive in one shrimp and one eel sample, respectively. Our results showed that regular monitoring of these antibiotic residues is recommended for protection of public health.
Nonlocal-symmetry Ward identities

We derive and discuss Ward identities associated with the nonlocal symmetry found in certain two-dimensional field theories. We show the identities are satisfied by the fermion propagator in the presence of the dynamical mass generation occurring in the O(N) Gross-Neveu model as N..-->..infinity.
The tandem C2 domains of synaptotagmin contain redundant Ca2+ binding sites that cooperate to engage t-SNAREs and trigger exocytosis.

Real-time voltammetry measurements from cracked PC12 cells were used to analyze the role of synaptotagmin–SNARE interactions during Ca2+-triggered exocytosis. The isolated C2A domain of synaptotagmin I neither binds SNAREs nor inhibits norepinephrine secretion. In contrast, two C2 domains in tandem (either C2A-C2B or C2A-C2A) bind strongly to SNAREs, displace native synaptotagmin from SNARE complexes, and rapidly inhibit exocytosis. The tandem C2 domains of synaptotagmin cooperate via a novel mechanism in which the disruptive effects of Ca2+ ligand mutations in one C2 domain can be partially alleviated by the presence of an adjacent C2 domain. Complete disruption of Ca2+-triggered membrane and target membrane SNARE interactions required simultaneous neutralization of Ca2+ ligands in both C2 domains of the protein. We conclude that synaptotagmin–SNARE interactions regulate membrane fusion and that cooperation between synaptotagmin's C2 domains is crucial to its function.
From genes to behavior: placing cognitive models in the context of biological pathways

Connecting neural mechanisms of behavior to their underlying molecular and genetic substrates has important scientific and clinical implications. However, despite rapid growth in our knowledge of the functions and computational properties of neural circuitry underlying behavior in a number of important domains, there has been much less progress in extending this understanding to their molecular and genetic substrates, even in an age marked by exploding availability of genomic data. Here we describe recent advances in analytical strategies that aim to overcome two important challenges associated with studying the complex relationship between genes and behavior: (i) reducing distal behavioral phenotypes to a set of molecular, physiological, and neural processes that render them closer to the actions of genetic forces, and (ii) striking a balance between the competing demands of discovery and interpretability when dealing with genomic data containing up to millions of markers. Our proposed approach involves linking, on one hand, models of neural computations and circuits hypothesized to underlie behavior, and on the other hand, the set of the genes carrying out biochemical processes related to the functioning of these neural systems. In particular, we focus on the specific example of value-based decision-making, and discuss how such a combination allows researchers to leverage existing biological knowledge at both neural and genetic levels to advance our understanding of the neurogenetic mechanisms underlying behavior.
Lectin binding sites on human sperm and spermatogenic cells

Testes of sexually mature men were studied histochemically with 20 fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lectins. Based on their pattern of reactivity with intratesticular spermatogenic cells, lectins were divided into five groups: 1) lectins reacting with all spermatogenic cells (Suc. ConA, WGA, LCA, PHA-E, PHA-L, STA, MPA, and RCA-II); 2) lectin reacting with spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa, but not with spermatogonia (RCA-I); 3) lectins reacting with spermatids and spermatozoa only (BPA, PNA, SBA, and VVA); 4) lectins reacting only with spermatozoa (HPA, GSA-I, UEA-II, and GSA-II); and 5) lectins with no distinct staining of spermatogenic cells (DBA, LBA, and UEA-I). All lectins from groups 1-4 were reactive with ejaculated spermatozoa. On the basis of the staining patterns of the head region of ejaculated spermatozoa, four lectin reactivity groups were defined: 1) lectins reacting with the plasma membrane of the whole head (BPA, WGA, LCA, STA, RCA-II, PHA-E, PHA-L, RCA-I, UEA-II, and GSA-II); 2) lectin reacting with the acrosomal cap and postacrosomal region of the plasma membrane (Suc. ConA); 3) lectin reacting with the acrosomal cap region of the plasma membrane (PNA); and 4) lectins reacting with the midregion of the sperm head in a bandlike manner (HPA, VVA, SBA, GSA-I, and MPA). These data provide a map of lectin binding sites on human testicular spermatogenic cells and ejaculated spermatozoa and show that the distribution of glycoconjugate domains of spermatogenic cell changes during differentiation and maturation.
Scaling Relations for Pulsed Power-Driven Hydrodynamics Experiments

Pulsed power hydrodynamics experiments typically involve multi-megajoule capacitor banks, imploding thin-walled cylinders of solid- density metal by the electromagnetic force associated with axial currents in excess of ten megamperes. Much of this activity operates with technology developed for other applications (e.g., soft X-ray generation), which can be significantly larger than actually required for the scientific objectives of such experiments. This is particularly true, if imaging diagnostics (e.g., proton radiography) with greater spatial and temporal resolution become available, permitting implosion experiments of smaller scale size. The present paper develops scaling relationships for electromagnetically-driven implosions and indicates the substantial reduction in system energy with reduced scale size.
Cloning, analysis and expression of the HindIII R-M-encoding genes.

Abstract The genes encoding the HindIII restriction endonuclease (R.HindIII ENase) and methyltransferase (M.HindIII MTase) from Haemophilus influenzae Rd were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli and their nucleotide (nt) sequences were determined. The genes are transcribed in the same orientation, with the ENase-encoding gene (hindIIIR) preceding the MTase-encoding gene (hindIIIM). The two genes overlap by several nt. The ENase is predicted to be 300 amino acids (aa) in length (34950 Da); the MTase is predicted to be 309 aa (35550 Da). The HindIII ENase and MTase activities increased approx. 20-fold when the genes were brought under the control of an inducible λ, pL promoter. Highly purified HindIII ENase and MTase proteins were prepared and their N-terminal aa sequences determined. In H. influenzae Rd, the HindIII R-M genes are located between the holC and valS genes; they are not closely linked to the HindII R-M genes.
Synthesis and characterization of an inherently chiral calix[6]arene in the 1,4-alternate conformation

Abstract An inherently chiral calix[6]arene possessing a C 2 -symmetric A–B–H substitution pattern was synthesized via a two step process starting from the parent hexa- t -butylcalix[6]arene. The racemic, inherently chiral compound exists as a single isomer with the 1,4-alternate conformation. The inherent chirality was confirmed by treatment of the racemic compound with Pirkle’s reagent to form diastereomeric complexes in solution.
Including blind people in computing through access to graphs

Our goal in creating the Graph SKetching tool, GSK, was to provide blind screen reader users with a means to create and access graphs as node-link diagrams and share them with sighted people in real-time. Through this effort, we hoped to better include blind people in computing and other STEM disciplines in which graphs are important. GSK proved very effective for one blind computer science student in courses that involved graphs and graph structures such as automata, decision trees, and resource-allocation diagrams. In order to determine how well GSK works for other blind people, we carried out a user study with ten blind participants. We report on the results of the user study, which demonstrates the efficacy of GSK for the examination, navigation, and creation of graphs by blind users. Based on the study results, we improved the efficiency of GSK for blind users. We plan more enhancements to help meet the need for accessible graph tools as articulated by the blind community.
Solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis—development status

The development program has centered around achieving lower cost and higher efficiency electrolytic cells. For lower cost the following areas are being investigated: low cost materials for separators and current collectors; elimination of gasket seals; use of lower cost catalyst; reduced catalyst loadings; and lower cost lectrolyte. Areas being investigated for higher efficiency are: operation at higher temperature (up to 150/sup 0/C); improved catalytic electrodes; and optimization of the electrolyte and cell design. (LK)
Lab VIEW-Based Integrated Virtual Learning Platform

Rapid changes in the field of engineering technology have increased the need for universities to provide engineering and engineering technology students with meaningful and relevant practical experiences, however, limited available resources in the provision of laboratory hardware and infrastructure have been the principal impediment in achieving this objective. Such hardware limitations have been increasingly marginalizing the quality of engineering and engineering technology education. E-learning can be used to help universities and technical colleges overcome this problem. One approach that can be implemented to overcome this problem is to expand e-learning activities in programs with limited resources to take advantage of online computer-based technology. In this model, remote instrumentation technology and the internet are merged to interface students with the physical world.