This paper discusses research activities that investigated the risk associated with USB devices. The research focused on identifying, characterizing and modelling unintended USB channels in ...contemporary computer systems. Such unintended channels can be used by a USB hardware Trojan horse device to create two way communications with a targeted network endpoint, thus violating the integrity and confidentiality of the data residing on the endpoint. The work was validated through the design and implementation of a proof of concept hardware Trojan horse device that uses two such unintended USB channels to successfully interact with a target network endpoint to compromise and exfiltrate data from it.
The PU.1 transcription factor is a member of the ets gene family of regulatory proteins. These molecules play a role in normal development and also have been implicated in malignant processes such as ...the development of erythroid leukemia. The Ets proteins share a conserved DNA-binding domain (the ETS domain) that recognizes a purine-rich sequence with the core sequence: 5'-C/AGGAA/T-3'. This domain binds to DNA as a monomer, unlike many other DNA-binding proteins. The ETS domain of the PU.1 transcription factor has been crystallized in complex with a 16-base pair oligonucleotide that contains the recognition sequence. The crystals formed in the space group C2 with a = 89.1, b = 101.9, c = 55.6 A, and beta = 111.2 degrees and diffract to at least 2.3 A. There are two complexes in the asymmetric unit. Production of large usable crystals was dependent on the length of both protein and DNA components, the use of oligonucleotides with unpaired A and T bases at the termini, and the presence of polyethylene glycol and zinc acetate in the crystallization solutions. This is the first ETS domain to be crystallized, and the strategy used to crystallize this complex may be useful for other members of the ets family.
The biocompatibility and fixation of a new silicone intraocular lens was evaluated in the cat eye. Following extracapsular lens extraction, 14 cats were implanted with a silicone lens (SLM 2/UV type) ...with polypropylene modified J loops in one eye and a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) lens (Perspex CQ) of a similar design in the fellow eye. Half the lenses were placed in the ciliary sulcus and half in the capsular bag. The eyes were evaluated for up to one year. Neither lens material showed any signs of toxicity clinically or histopathologically. Both lenses achieved stable fixation in the capsular bag; however, some inflammatory reaction and lens dislocation were noted with sulcus placement of both lens types. The amount of proteinaceous and cellular debris on the explanted silicone lenses was significantly less than that on the PMMA lenses as assessed with methylene blue staining. All retrieved lenses were optically clear and no significant change in the lens surface morphology, clarity and/or optical properties was observed.
Bladder permeability was directly measured with the radionuclide used clinically for detecting vesicoureteral reflux (99mtechnetium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, 99mTc-DTPA) in 10 interstitial ...cystitis patients diagnosed according to National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases criterion and compared to 9 sex matched, symptom-free, normal volunteers. After functional bladder capacity was determined (capacity at which the patient demands fluid inflow to stop), the bladder was emptied and 5 mCi. 99mTc-DTPA in 10 ml. of saline were infused followed by normal saline to 80% of functional capacity. This was done to normalize the patients to the same low bladder pressure, since previous studies of rabbits indicated that bladder permeability is low and not significantly different at 20% and 60% of anesthetized bladder capacity (defined as the volume producing an intravesical pressure of 20 cm. water). Radioactivity of 1 ml. serum specimens taken at 0, 2, 15 and 30 minutes after radionuclide infusion was determined in a gamma counter, corrected for radioactive decay and converted to per cent of instilled dose per whole body based on blood volume estimated from body weight for each individual. There was considerable interindividual variability in the absorption between the patients and the volunteers. Analysis of variance of these data showed no statistically significant difference between the patients and controls at any time sampled. These results indicate that while some interstitial cystitis patients have a more permeable bladder than others, the same is true for normal, symptom-free volunteers. Thus, the concept of increased bladder permeability in interstitial cystitis is not supported by this direct measurement of bladder permeability.
The term biotechnology is often used synonymously with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture to produce plants and animals that will either increase the efficiency of food production ...or increase the nutritional content. Biotechnology uses a number of different genetic tools, beyond modification, including the use of antisense technology, and the exogenous synthesis of important enzymes. This chapter describes the use of biotechnology by the food industry with its main focus towards genetic modification, although other forms of biotechnology will also be described.
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