Algebraic properties of generalized Rijndael-like ciphers

We provide conditions under which the set of Rijndael functions considered as permutations of the state space and based on operations of the finite field \GF (p^k) ($p\geq 2$ a prime number) is not closed under functional composition. These conditions justify using a sequential multiple encryption to strengthen the AES (Rijndael block cipher with specific block sizes) in case AES became practically insecure. In Sparr and Wernsdorf (2008), R. Sparr and R. Wernsdorf provided conditions under which the group generated by the Rijndael-like round functions based on operations of the finite field \GF (2^k) is equal to the alternating group on the state space. In this paper we provide conditions under which the group generated by the Rijndael-like round functions based on operations of the finite field \GF (p^k) ($p\geq 2$) is equal to the symmetric group or the alternating group on the state space.Comment: 22 pages; Prelim0

Elliptic Reciprocity

The paper introduces the notions of an elliptic pair, an elliptic cycle and an elliptic list over a square free positive integer d. These concepts are related to the notions of amicable pairs of primes and aliquot cycles that were introduced by Silverman and Stange. Settling a matter left open by Silverman and Stange it is shown that for d=3 there are elliptic cycles of length 6. For d not equal to 3 the question of the existence of proper elliptic lists of length n over d is reduced to the the theory of prime producing quadratic polynomials. For d=163 a proper elliptic list of length 40 is exhibited. It is shown that for each d there is an upper bound on the length of a proper elliptic list over d. The final section of the paper contains heuristic arguments supporting conjectured asymptotics for the number of elliptic pairs below integer X. Finally, for d congruent to 3 modulo 8 the existence of infinitely many anomalous prime numbers is derived from Bunyakowski's Conjecture for quadratic polynomials.Comment: 17 pages, including one figure and two table

Off-Label Use of Transmucosal Ketamine as a Rapidacting Antidepressant: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of subanesthetic doses of ketamine using an off-label, transmucosal administration route in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients who met the inclusion criteria for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Seventeen such patients who received subanesthetic doses of ketamine were included. Patient demographics, efficacy (drug refill, clinician notes), side effects, and concurrent medications were assessed. Results: Benefit from low-dose transmucosal ketamine was noted in 76% of subjects (average age 48 years, 88% female), with a dose duration lasting 7–14 days. No notable side effects were noted. The most common classes of concurrent medications to which ketamine was added were serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (59%), stimulants (47%), folate replacement (47%), and benzodiazepines (47%). Conclusion: Our results provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness and safety of lowdose transmucosal ketamine in treatment-resistant patients. A controlled, prospective pilot study is warranted to validate these findings

The plug-based nanovolume Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System (MPCS)

The Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System (MPCS) is a new protein-crystallization technology used to generate nanolitre-sized crystallization experiments for crystal screening and optimization. Using the MPCS, diffraction-ready crystals were grown in the plastic MPCS CrystalCard and were used to solve the structure of methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase

The plug-based nanovolume Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System (MPCS)

This is the published version. Copyright International Union of CrystallographyThe Microcapillary Protein Crystallization System (MPCS) embodies a new semi-automated plug-based crystallization technology which enables nanolitre-volume screening of crystallization conditions in a plasticware format that allows crystals to be easily removed for traditional cryoprotection and X-ray diffraction data collection. Protein crystals grown in these plastic devices can be directly subjected to in situ X-ray diffraction studies. The MPCS integrates the formulation of crystallization cocktails with the preparation of the crystallization experiments. Within microfluidic Teflon tubing or the microfluidic circuitry of a plastic CrystalCard, ~10-20 nl volume droplets are generated, each representing a microbatch-style crystallization experiment with a different chemical composition. The entire protein sample is utilized in crystallization experiments. Sparse-matrix screening and chemical gradient screening can be combined in one com­prehensive `hybrid' crystallization trial. The technology lends itself well to optimization by high-granularity gradient screening using optimization reagents such as precipitation agents, ligands or cryoprotectants

Assessment of Field Experience Related to Pressurized Water Reactor Primary System Leaks

This paper presents our assessment of field experience related to pressurized water reactor (PWR) primary system leaks in terms of their number and rates, how aging affects frequency of leak events, the safety significance of such leaks, industry efforts to reduce leaks, and effectiveness of current leak detection systems. We have reviewed the licensee event reports to identify the events that took place during 1985 to the third quarter of 1996, and reviewed related technical literature and visited PWR plants to analyze these events. Our assessment shows that USNRC licensees have taken effective actions to reduce the number of leak events. One main reason for this decreasing trend was the elimination or reportable leakages from valve stem packing after 1991. Our review of leak events related to vibratory fatigue reveals a statistically significant decreasing trend with age (years of operation), but not in calendar time. Our assessment of worldwide data on leakage caused by thermal fatigue cracking is that the fatigue of aging piping is a safety significant issue. Our review of leak events has identified several susceptible sites in piping having high safety significance; but the inspection of some of these sites is not required by the ASME Code. These sites may be included in the risk-informed inspection programs

Mismatches in scale between highly mobile marine megafauna and marine protected areas

Marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly large MPAs, are increasing in number and size around the globe in part to facilitate the conservation of marine megafauna under the assumption that large-scale MPAs better align with vagile life histories; however, this alignment is not well established. Using a global tracking dataset from 36 species across five taxa, chosen to reflect the span of home range size in highly mobile marine megafauna, we show most MPAs are too small to encompass complete home ranges of most species. Based on size alone, 40% of existing MPAs could encompass the home ranges of the smallest ranged species, while only \u3c 1% of existing MPAs could encompass those of the largest ranged species. Further, where home ranges and MPAs overlapped in real geographic space, MPAs encompassed \u3c 5% of core areas used by all species. Despite most home ranges of mobile marine megafauna being much larger than existing MPAs, we demonstrate how benefits from MPAs are still likely to accrue by targeting seasonal aggregations and critical life history stages and through other management techniques

Caribbean Corals in Crisis: Record Thermal Stress, Bleaching, and Mortality in 2005

BACKGROUND The rising temperature of the world's oceans has become a major threat to coral reefs globally as the severity and frequency of mass coral bleaching and mortality events increase. In 2005, high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean resulted in the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Satellite-based tools provided warnings for coral reef managers and scientists, guiding both the timing and location of researchers' field observations as anomalously warm conditions developed and spread across the greater Caribbean region from June to October 2005. Field surveys of bleaching and mortality exceeded prior efforts in detail and extent, and provided a new standard for documenting the effects of bleaching and for testing nowcast and forecast products. Collaborators from 22 countries undertook the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date and found that over 80% of corals bleached and over 40% died at many sites. The most severe bleaching coincided with waters nearest a western Atlantic warm pool that was centered off the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Thermal stress during the 2005 event exceeded any observed from the Caribbean in the prior 20 years, and regionally-averaged temperatures were the warmest in over 150 years. Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity. This severe, widespread bleaching and mortality will undoubtedly have long-term consequences for reef ecosystems and suggests a troubled future for tropical marine ecosystems under a warming climate.This work was partially supported by salaries from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program to the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program authors. NOAA provided funding to Caribbean ReefCheck investigators to undertake surveys of bleaching and mortality. Otherwise, no funding from outside authors' institutions was necessary for the undertaking of this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

The Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-xL Protein, a New Piece in the Puzzle of Cytochrome C Interactome

A structural model of the adduct between human cytochrome c and the human anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL, which defines the protein-protein interaction surface, was obtained from solution NMR chemical shift perturbation data. The atomic level information reveals key intermolecular contacts identifying new potentially druggable areas on cytochrome c and Bcl-xL. Involvement of residues on cytochrome c other than those in its complexes with electron transfer partners is apparent. Key differences in the contact area also exist between the Bcl-xL adduct with the Bak peptide and that with cytochrome c. The present model provides insights to the mechanism by which cytochrome c translocated to cytosol can be intercepted, so that the apoptosome is not assembled

Mismatches in scale between highly mobile marine megafauna and marine protected areas

Marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly large MPAs, are increasing in number and size around the globe in part to facilitate the conservation of marine megafauna under the assumption that large-scale MPAs better align with vagile life histories; however, this alignment is not well established. Using a global tracking dataset from 36 species across five taxa, chosen to reflect the span of home range size in highly mobile marine megafauna, we show most MPAs are too small to encompass complete home ranges of most species. Based on size alone, 40% of existing MPAs could encompass the home ranges of the smallest ranged species, while only < 1% of existing MPAs could encompass those of the largest ranged species. Further, where home ranges and MPAs overlapped in real geographic space, MPAs encompassed < 5% of core areas used by all species. Despite most home ranges of mobile marine megafauna being much larger than existing MPAs, we demonstrate how benefits from MPAs are still likely to accrue by targeting seasonal aggregations and critical life history stages and through other management techniques.Fil: Conners, Melinda G.. University of Washington; Estados Unidos. State University of New York. Stony Brook University; Estados UnidosFil: Sisson, Nicholas B.. Old Dominion University; Estados UnidosFil: Agamboue, Pierre D.. Wildlife Conservation Society; GabónFil: Atkinson, Philip W.. British Trust For Ornithology; Reino UnidoFil: Baylis, Alastair M. M.. Macquarie University; Australia. South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Reino UnidoFil: Benson, Scott R.. Noaa National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office; Estados Unidos. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories; Estados UnidosFil: Block, Barbara A.. University of Stanford; Estados UnidosFil: Bograd, Steven J.. Noaa National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office; Estados UnidosFil: Bordino, Pablo. Mote Marine Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Bowen, W.D.. Bedford Institute Of Oceanography, Fisheries And Oceans Canada; Canadá. Dalhousie University Halifax; CanadáFil: Brickle, Paul. South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute; Reino Unido. University of Aberdeen; Reino Unido. University Of Aberdeeen; Reino UnidoFil: Bruno, Ignacio Matias. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: González Carman, Victoria. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Champagne, Cory D.. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: Crocker, Daniel E.. Sonoma State University; Estados UnidosFil: Costa, Daniel P.. University of California; Estados UnidosFil: Dawson, Tiffany M.. University Of Central Florida; Estados Unidos. Old Dominion University; Estados UnidosFil: Deguchi, Tomohiro. Yamashina Institute For Ornithology; JapónFil: Dewar, Heidi. Noaa National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office; Estados UnidosFil: Doherty, Philip D.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Eguchi, Tomo. Noaa National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Regional Office; Estados UnidosFil: Formia, Angela. Wildlife Conservation Society; Gabón. African Aquatic Conservation Fund; Estados UnidosFil: Godley, Brendan J.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Graham, Rachel T.. Maralliance; PanamáFil: Gredzens, Christian. Padre Island National Seashore; Estados UnidosFil: Hart, Kristen M.. United States Geological Survey; Estados UnidosFil: Hawkes, Lucy A.. University of Exeter; Reino UnidoFil: Henderson, Suzanne. Scottish Natural Heritage; Reino UnidoFil: Henry, Robert William. Groundswell Coastal Ecology; Estados UnidosFil: Hückstädt, Luis A.. University of Exeter; Reino Unido. University of California; Estados Unido