Shorter addition chain for smooth integers using decomposition method.

An efficient computation of scalar multiplication in elliptic curve cryptography can be achieved by reducing the original problem into a chain of additions and doublings. Finding the shortest addition chain is an NP-problem. To produce the nearest possible shortest chain, various methods were introduced and most of them depends on the representation of a positive integer n into a binary form. Our method works out the given n by twice decomposition, first into its prime powers and second, for each prime into a series of 2's from which a set of rules based on addition and doubling is defined. Since prime factorization is computationally a hard problem, this method is only suitable for smooth integers. As an alternative, the need to decompose n can be avoided by choosing n of the form p1 e1p2 e2⋯r er. This shall not compromise the security of ECC since its does not depend on prime factorization problem. The result shows a significant improvement over existing methods especially when n grows very large

Pollinators visiting sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed crop with reference to foraging activity of some bee species

A study was conducted to determine the insect pollinator orders visiting sesame, fluctuation percent of Hymenopterous fauna during flowering period, foraging activity of the pollinating insects belonging to Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera orders and foraging activity of Apis mellifera, Anthidium sp. and Xylocopa sp. from July 15 to September 4, 2011 at four time periods i.e., 9-11 am, 11-1 pm, 1-3 pm and 3-5 pm. Results revealed that insect percentage of Hymenoptera order was high followed by Lepidoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera. The highest activity of Hymenopterous fauna was in fourth week of flowering period and decreased gradually in the last weeks. Total number of pollinators was highest at 9-11 am followed by that at 11-1 pm, 1-3 pm and 3-5 pm. Among the bees, the number of Apis mellifera was the maximum followed by Xylocopa sp. and lastly Anthidium sp. at all time periods. It was also evident that temperature, wind and relative humidity also affect the percentage of insects visiting sesame flowers

Chitosan Is the Ideal Resource for Plant Disease Management under Sustainable Agriculture

In the spirit of returning to nature and using scientific applications to raise plant efficiency and reduce pathogen risk, scientists began searching for safe, natural alternatives to pesticides that are highly effective and low cost. On top of these alternatives, chitosan came with its biodegradability, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, and nontoxicity, which granted it dual energetic effects during the host-pathogen interaction. Chitosan promotes plant growth, regulates plant cell homeostasis and metabolic processes, and triggers plant defense mechanisms; on the other hand, it inhibits the ability of pathogens by disrupting pathogen growth and reducing reproduction, wherefore chitosan will become an increasingly prevalent and ideal resource for agricultural sustainability

Eccentric connectivity index of some chemical trees

Let G = (V, E) be a simple connected molecular graph. In such a simple molecular graph, vertices represent atoms and edges represent chemical bonds, we denoted the sets of vertices and edges by V(G) and E(G), respectively. If d(u, v) be the notation of distance between vertices u, v ε V(G) and is defined as the length of a shortest path connecting them. Then, the eccentricity connectivity index of a molecular graph G is defined as ζ(G) = Σ vεv(G) deg(v)ec(v), where deg(v) is degree of a vertex v ε V(G), and is defined as the number of adjacent vertices with v. ec(v) is eccentricity of a vertex v ε V(G), and is defined as the length of a maximal path connecting to another vertex of v. In this paper, we establish the general formulas for the eccentricity connectivity index of some classes of chemical trees

Effects of salicylic acid elicitor and potassium fertilizer as foliar spray on canola production in the reclaimed land in Ismailia governorate, Egypt

A field experiment was conducted at the farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, during 2013/’14 and 2014/’15 seasons, to determine the effects of salicylic acid elicitor (SA) and potassium fertilizer (K) as foliar spray on canola production in the reclaimed land. Canola plants were sprayed with three rates of K and SA separately and together. The concentrations of SA with a surfactant triton 0.1% and concentrations of K sprayed after 30 days of sowing by one week interval for three times using hydraulic sprayer. Results indicated that K and SA provided good nutrition and resistance for pathogens, enhanced plant height (cm), number of branches/ plant, fruiting zone (cm), seed yield/ plant (g), seed yield/ fed and oil percentage of canola cultivar (Serw 4) in the reclaimed land. K and SA separately or in combination at the rate of (6.0 cm-1 + 300 mg-1 SA) provided the best nutrition for enhancing resistance of plants against biotic and a biotic factors, consequently, enhancing vegetative growth and yield production during seasons of study 2013/’14 and 2014/’15

Signed decomposition method for scalar multiplication in elliptic curve cryptography

Addition chain is the solution to computability constraint of the problematic large number arithmetic. In elliptic curve cryptography, a point arithmetic on elliptic curve can be reduced to repetitive addition and doubling operations. Based on this idea, various methods were proposed, lately a decomposition method based on prime decomposition was put forward. This method uses a pre‐generated set of rules to calculate an addition chain for n. Though the method shows it own advantage over others in some cases, but some improvements is still avail. We develop an enhancement version called signed decomposition method which takes rule from decomposition method as an input. We also generalize the idea of a prime rule to an integer rule. An improvement is done to the original add rule in decomposition method by allowing subtraction operation to terms. In so doing, we optimize the original form of add rule. The result shows not only an improvement over decomposition method but also become an all time superior compare to preceeding methods. Furthermore, having secret key in a form of rule will put up extra security to the message under communication

An algorithm to enhance elliptic curves scalar multiplication combining MBNR with point halving

Elliptic curves (EC) scalar multiplication over some finite fields, is an attractive research area, and it has been paid much attention by re- searchers in the recent years. Researchs still in progress to improve the imple- mentation of elliptic curves cryptography (ECC) and reducing its complexity. Elliptic curve point-halving algorithm proposed in [10], later double-base (DB) chain [3], and step multi-base representation (SMBR) [17] are among the ef- ficient techniques used in this field. The presented paper proposes a new algorithm combining SMBR and point halving. We extend the work done by [13], which combined DB chain with point halving technique. The experiment results show that our contribution can enhance EC scalar multiplication

Atom bond connectivity index of molecular graphs of alkenes and cycloalkenes

The atom-bond connectivity (ABC) index is one of the recently most investigated degree based molecular structure descriptors that have applications in chemistry. For a graph G, the ABC index is defined as ABC(G) = ∑ uv∈E(G) √[d v + du – 2]/[d v · d u ], where du denotes the degree of a vertex u in G. In this paper, we establish the general formulas for the atom bond connectivity index of molecular graphs of alkenes and cycloalkenes

Relation between microRNAs and Apoptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

AIM: To determine the relation between serum microRNAs and apoptotic markers as regards development of HCC to understand the underlying mechanism of HCV related hepatocarcinogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 65 serum samples (25 samples from controls, 20 samples from hepatitis and 20 samples from HCC patients) were collected for miRNAs (mir 21, mir 199-a, and mir 155) detection. Human Programmed cell death protein-4 (PDCD-4) and Human Cytochrome-C (CYT-C) were determined. RESULTS: miRNAs 21 and 155 were over expressed in sera of patients with HCC compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). While serum means values of miR 199a was significantly decreased among HCC group patients when compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). The serum levels of PCDC4 and CYTC were increased in patients with HCC when compared to chronic hepatitis patients. They were also increased in patients with chronic hepatitis when compared to controls (p < 0.05, significant). There was direct correlations between apoptotic markers and oncomirs miRNAs 21 and 155 while apoptotic markers were inversely correlated with miRNA 199-a. CONCLUSION: Both microRNAs and apoptotic markers have roles in HCC pathogenesis. It seems that oncogenic microRNAs induce liver carcinogenesis in HCV patients irrespective of suppression of apoptosis.AIM: To determine the relation between serum microRNAs and apoptotic markers as regards development of HCC to understand the underlying mechanism of HCV related hepatocarcinogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 65 serum samples (25 samples from controls, 20 samples from hepatitis and 20 samples from HCC patients) were collected for miRNAs (mir 21, mir 199-a, and mir 155) detection. Human Programmed cell death protein-4 (PDCD-4) and Human Cytochrome-C (CYT-C) were determined. RESULTS: miRNAs 21 and 155 were over expressed in sera of patients with HCC compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). While serum means values of miR 199a was significantly decreased among HCC group patients when compared to patients with chronic hepatitis (p < 0.0001). The serum levels of PCDC4 and CYTC were increased in patients with HCC when compared to chronic hepatitis patients. They were also increased in patients with chronic hepatitis when compared to controls (p < 0.05, significant). There was direct correlations between apoptotic markers and oncomirs miRNAs 21 and 155 while apoptotic markers were inversely correlated with miRNA 199-a. CONCLUSION: Both microRNAs and apoptotic markers have roles in HCC pathogenesis. It seems that oncogenic microRNAs induce liver carcinogenesis in HCV patients irrespective of suppression of apoptosis

Global prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in 2015 : A modelling study

Publisher Copyright: © 2017 Elsevier LtdBackground The 69th World Health Assembly approved the Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by 2030, which can become a reality with the recent launch of direct acting antiviral therapies. Reliable disease burden estimates are required for national strategies. This analysis estimates the global prevalence of viraemic HCV at the end of 2015, an update of—and expansion on—the 2014 analysis, which reported 80 million (95% CI 64–103) viraemic infections in 2013. Methods We developed country-level disease burden models following a systematic review of HCV prevalence (number of studies, n=6754) and genotype (n=11 342) studies published after 2013. A Delphi process was used to gain country expert consensus and validate inputs. Published estimates alone were used for countries where expert panel meetings could not be scheduled. Global prevalence was estimated using regional averages for countries without data. Findings Models were built for 100 countries, 59 of which were approved by country experts, with the remaining 41 estimated using published data alone. The remaining countries had insufficient data to create a model. The global prevalence of viraemic HCV is estimated to be 1·0% (95% uncertainty interval 0·8–1·1) in 2015, corresponding to 71·1 million (62·5–79·4) viraemic infections. Genotypes 1 and 3 were the most common cause of infections (44% and 25%, respectively). Interpretation The global estimate of viraemic infections is lower than previous estimates, largely due to more recent (lower) prevalence estimates in Africa. Additionally, increased mortality due to liver-related causes and an ageing population may have contributed to a reduction in infections. Funding John C Martin Foundation.publishersversionPeer reviewe