Montgomery's method of polynomial selection for the number field sieve

The number field sieve is the most efficient known algorithm for factoring large integers that are free of small prime factors. For the polynomial selection stage of the algorithm, Montgomery proposed a method of generating polynomials which relies on the construction of small modular geometric progressions. Montgomery's method is analysed in this paper and the existence of suitable geometric progressions is considered

Fast systematic encoding of multiplicity codes

We present quasi-linear time systematic encoding algorithms for multiplicity codes. The algorithms have their origins in the fast multivariate interpolation and evaluation algorithms of van der Hoeven and Schost (2013), which we generalise to address certain Hermite-type interpolation and evaluation problems. By providing fast encoding algorithms for multiplicity codes, we remove an obstruction on the road to the practical application of the private information retrieval protocol of Augot, Levy-dit-Vehel and Shikfa (2014)

Flight-test nacelles

Design modifications for acoustically absorbing flight test nacelles of DC-8 turbofan engin

Evaluation of the toxicity of a substituted 2,4-thiazolidinedione moiety to isolated rat hepatocytes : relevance to glitazone toxicity

Troglitazone (TGZ), a 2,4 thiazolidinedione (TZD) anti-diabetic agent, has been associated with hepatotoxicity in type II diabetic patients. The mechanism of toxicity has not yet been established. However, it has been reported (Kennedy et al., 2003) that the incorporation of a sulphur atom in the cyclic imide structure of N-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)succinimide (NDPS), analogous to the 2,4-TZD moiety in TGZ, resulted in hepatotoxicity. In this study we have examined the relative in vitro hepatotoxicity of 3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-2,4,thiazolidinedione (DCPT), which contains the 2,4-TZD moiety, and that of its structural analogue NDPS. NDPS and DCPT were synthesised using a modification of the method of Fujinami et al (1971) and characterised by NMR and mass spectrometry. Hepatocytes were prepared from male Sprague-Dawley rats (180-220g), and cell viability was measured using Trypan Blue exclusion. Preparations with initial cell viability above 80% were used in all experiments. Cells were incubated for 3 hours with NDPS and DCPT at (0μM, 100μM, 500μM and 1mM in dimethylsulphoxide (0.1% (v/v)) at 37oC in an atmosphere of 95%O2/5%CO2). Samples were taken at regular time intervals (0, 15, 30, 60 90, 120, 180 minutes) for the measurement of viability, reduced glutathione (GSH) content and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the extracellular medium. Statistical analyses (ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s test) of the data (Table 1) obtained for hepatocytes exposed to DCPT and NDPS did not reveal significant differences in GSH content, LDH activity or cell viability over a 3h incubation period. These data indicate that the incorporation of a sulphur atom in the succinamide ring of NDPS to produce the corresponding 2,4 TZD (DCPT) does not result in an increase in hepatotoxic effects in vitro. This finding, together with our previous report on the lack of toxicity of the 2,4-TZD containing, rosiglitazone (Ball et al 2004 ), would suggest that a chemical mechanism of toxicity of TGZ (if feasible) might be a function of the whole molecule rather than the TZD moiety alone

Immersive virtual reality in the psychology classroom: What purpose could it serve?

This short article provides a brief overview of the most common forms of immersive virtual environments, highlighting some ways in which these have been used in other discipline areas, and ways in which they have been used in psychology research. In drawing these together it will be speculated how best to make use of this technology in psychology education, and a potential way forward will be argued for. In writing this article the purpose is not to provide a comprehensive account of the many different research areas that may contribute to adopting such a technology, but simply to provide the interested reader with a starting point and some suggestions for further reading. Overall, with developments oriented to other fields (e.g. medicine, home entertainment) and sparse research in this area, it is argued that to embrace the potentials of the technology we must first engage with where it might fit within our curriculums. The opportunity to provide practical demonstrations that may be otherwise unachievable in conventional environments seems most viable at this very early stage

'Ade, ich far dahin': Zur Inszenierung und Semantisierung des Abschieds im Strassburger Eulenspiegelbuch

This article offers a close textual analysis of the Strassburger Eulenspiegelbuch, paying particular attention to the narrative motif of departures. As an outsider-figure par excellence Eulenspiegel is always travelling, always forced to leave one place and move on to the next. It will be shown here how certain very specific narrative techniques are developed in this text to describe these numerous moments of departure in ways which are both comically effective and thematically resonant