From Golden to Unimodular Cryptography

We introduce a natural generalization of the golden cryptography, which uses general unimodular matrices in place of the traditional Q-matrices, and prove that it preserves the original error correction properties of the encryption. Moreover, the additional parameters involved in generating the coding matrices make this unimodular cryptography resilient to the chosen plaintext attacks that worked against the golden cryptography. Finally, we show that even the golden cryptography is generally unable to correct double errors in the same row of the ciphertext matrix, and offer an additional check number which, if transmitted, allows for the correction.Comment: 20 pages, no figure

An Interdisciplinary Computational Study Of Magnetosphere-Ionsphere Coupling And Its Visual And Thermal Impact In The Auroral Region

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2012A three-dimensional, three-fluid simulation (ions, electrons, and neutrals) was explicitly parallelized, facilitating the study of small-scale magnetospheric-ionospheric (M-I) coupling processes. The model has ionization and recombination, self-consistently (semi-empirically) determined collision frequencies, and a height resolved ionosphere. Inclusion of ion inertial terms in the momentum equation enables the propagation of Alfven waves. Investigation at small scales required large system domains, and thus fast parallel computers. The model was explicitly parallelized---enabling investigations of M-I coupling processes on very small temporal and spatial scales. The generation, reflection, and propagation of Alfven waves is of importance to the understanding of M-1 coupling processes---it is, in fact, the primary means of communication of physical processes in the coupled system. Alfvenic reflections were modeled for two different boundary conditions, and it was shown that the deformation of the current layer was Alfvenic in character. Visualizations of the data obtained appear to be consistent with the visual characteristics of actual discrete aurora in nature. The model reproduces qualitatively, and semi-quantitatively, in a self-consistent manner, some the behaviors of the formation and time-evolution of discrete arcs. These include the narrowness of arcs; electric fields extending parallel outward from the arcs; and fast (plasma) flows in the region of discrete arcs. Large-scale models---due to inevitable limitations of computational resources---need to make large-scale averages of computed properties. In regions of active small-scale structure, significant under-representation of the Joule heating occurs. It has been shown that the under-representation of the Joule heating in the region of active aurora can be as large as a factor of 8. This work includes a computer-based study of a quantitative approximation of this underrepresentation of the Joule heating by global, large-scale models and experimental observations

ANALYSIS OF COMBINED MILLIMETER-WAVE AND HIGH-RESOLUTION INFRARED SPECTRA OF 2- AND 3-FURONITRILE

2-Furonitrile and 3-furonitrile are highly polar CN-substituted derivatives of furan. These molecules are attractive targets for interstellar search due to their strong dipole moments (µₐ = 4.3 D, µb = 0.7 D and µₐ = 4.0 D, µb = 0.4 D, respectively) and their ability to serve as tracer molecules for furan. In our recent work, we analyzed and assigned the millimeter-wave and high-resolution infrared (IR) spectra of 2- and 3-furonitrile for the first time. From 140-750 GHz and 140-500 GHz, respectively, the vibrational ground-state transitions of each molecule have been least-squares fit to partial octic, distorted-rotor Hamiltonians with each data set containing several thousand independent transitions. The two lowest-energy fundamental modes of both furonitriles are the Coriolis-coupled bending modes of the nitrile (ν₁₇ and ν₂₄). High-resolution infrared spectra were obtained from the Canadian Light Source and provided the precise band origins of these modes for both furonitriles, as well as of ν₂₃ for 2-furonitrile. We recently reported our work on 2-furonitrile and will discuss our progress in the analysis of the ground state and first two fundamental modes of 3-furonitrile

ROTATIONAL AND INFRARED SPECTRA OF PYRIMIDINE: VIBRATIONAL GROUND STATE AND NINE VIBRATIONALLY EXCITED STATES

Pyrimidine is an aromatic heterocycle in which meta C-H units of benzene are replaced by nitrogen atoms. Its detection in the ISM has been sought for decades as it is not only a building block of many biologically relevant molecules, but it could serve as a valuable tracer molecule for other aromatic and polycyclic aromatic compounds. In this work, we collected the millimeter-wave spectrum of pyrimidine from 130-750 GHz. This extended range greatly increases the range of rotational transitions we can observe in the ground and its nine lowest-energy vibrationally excited states. Over 10,000 transitions for the vibrational ground state have been least-squares fit to a A- and S-reduced sextic distorted-rotor Hamiltonians. To supplement the millimeter-wave spectrum, high-resolution infrared spectra were obtained from the Canadian Light Source and provide highly accurate and precise band origins for the vibrationally excited states. The three lowest energy fundamentals (ν₁₆, ν₁₁, and ν₂₄) have been fit to single-state Hamiltonians. The remaining vibrationally excited states presented in this work have perturbed frequencies due to Coriolis, Darling-Dennison, and Fermi coupling. The current progress toward a satisfactory treatment of these interactions will be presented

DOCUMENTING THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING DISTRIBUTION OF INVASIVE RAVENNA GRASS (TRIPIDIUM RAVENNAE) EASTERN IN KANSAS

Invasive species cause significant ecological losses in the United States where they cost approximately $21 billion dollars a year to manage (Fantle-Lepczyk et al., 2022). Early detection of new invasive species, coupled with a rapid response of management efforts, can help to slow the ecological and economic impacts caused by these habitat invaders. Tripidium ravennae (L.) H. Scholz (or Ravenna grass) is a tall, robust, cespitose grass known to occur in Kansas, although its distribution remained poorly documented prior to this study. Given its known invasive tendencies, it has been declared noxious in at least six US states. Coupled with a historical search for existing specimens in Kansas, an active survey for Tripidium ravennae was conducted in 47 counties in eastern Kansas to properly document its distribution. The species was first recorded in Kansas in 1960 and historically documented 15 times total among eight counties within the last 62 years. In 2022, this study recorded 103 occurrences in 25 counties, representing 17 new county records. All records for Kansas after 1990 were combined to generate a species distribution model using Maximum Entropy. This model predicted substantial suitable habitat for Tripidium ravennae in eastern Kansas and further confirms high invasion potential for the species

Influences on the perceived reasonableness of employment testing accommodations for persons with disabilities

The present study examined how the origin of an applicant\u27s disability, the status of the job he/she was applying for and the level of test accommodation provided, influenced a participant\u27s perception of what was a reasonable pre-employment testing accommodation. Additionally, how attributes of organizationsal members, such as age, education level and knowledge of ADA law influenced reasonableness of accommodation were examined

Ozone Damage Potential to Loblolly Pine Ecosystems in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the southeastern United States and is the only area in the region currently listed in “serious” 1-hour ozone nonattainment. Despite its exceedance history, impacts on Atlanta’s urban forests have not been the focus of any major studies. The purpose of this study was to examine air pollution damage to vegetation using a foliar-injury survey on Stone Mountain. The objectives of this project included 1) establishing that pollution transport from Atlanta to Stone Mountain occurs, 2) determining the magnitude of ozone concentrations near Stone Mountain and 3) assessing sensitive plant species on Stone Mountain for foliar injury. Results from this study confirm that Stone Mountain is located downwind from Atlanta. Ozone concentrations were sufficiently high to damage vegetation and these consistently peaked in July. Foliar injury was present on understory species on Stone Mountain, but was not observed on loblolly pine species

A Phenomenological Investigation of Mindfulness Practice Through the Lived Experiences of Secondary Educators

Teacher burnout and stress are at an all-time high. The teaching profession is reported to be one of the most stressful occupations, especially in 21st century learning environments. The researcher discovered mindfulness and was amazed how this practice allowed her to “breathe” through the difficult and challenging moments. Inspired by her own mindfulness practice, the researcher wanted to discover if mindfulness was as powerful a tool to other mindfulness teachers and educators. This phenomenological investigation explored the lived experiences of 11 secondary educators who self-identify as mindfulness practitioners. Through carefully constructed open-ended questions, the researcher was able to delve into the participants’ history, present lived experiences, and the meaning they attached to those experiences. The in-depth interviews were analyzed for common themes. The overarching theme revealed that mindfulness means creating a safe place for individuals to express, explore, and expound upon personal struggles. Several interwoven themes uncovered that mindfulness educators do the heart work and can suspend judgment where compassion and empathy can overflow and influence students and colleagues. The implication for this study is that mindfulness is an intervention for reducing teacher burnout/stress and can positively influence the culture of a school