Enhanced Parallel Hash Function Algorithm Based on 3C Construction (EPHFA-3C)

The hash function is a function that can convert data from variable size to fixed-size data that can be used in security of communication like, authentication, digital signature and integration. In this paper, a parallel, secure and fast hash function algorithm that is based on 3C construction is proposed. It is an enhancement for the MD construction. This enhancement makes the construction more resistant to the extension and multi-blocks attacks. The parallel structure of the algorithm improves the speed of hashing and reduces the number of operations. The simulation analysis such as hashes distribution, confusion and diffusion properties, and collision resistance are executed. Based on the results, our proposed hash algorithm is efficient, simple, and has strong security compared with some recent hash algorithms

Suppression of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E prevents chemotherapy-induced alopecia

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced hair loss (alopecia) (CIA) is one of the most feared side effects of chemotherapy among cancer patients. There is currently no pharmacological approach to minimize CIA, although one strategy that has been proposed involves protecting normal cells from chemotherapy by transiently inducing cell cycle arrest. Proof-of-concept for this approach, known as cyclotherapy, has been demonstrated in cell culture settings. METHODS: The eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E is a cap binding protein that stimulates ribosome recruitment to mRNA templates during the initiation phase of translation. Suppression of eIF4E is known to induce cell cycle arrest. Using a novel inducible and reversible transgenic mouse model that enables RNAi-mediated suppression of eIF4E in vivo, we assessed the consequences of temporal eIF4E suppression on CIA. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that transient inhibition of eIF4E protects against cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia at the organismal level. At the cellular level, this protection is associated with an accumulation of cells in G1, reduced apoptotic indices, and was phenocopied using small molecule inhibitors targeting the process of translation initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide a rationale for exploring suppression of translation initiation as an approach to prevent or minimize cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia.1U01 CA168409 - NCI NIH HHS; P01 CA 87497 - NCI NIH HHS; P30 CA008748 - NCI NIH HHS; MOP-106530 - Canadian Institutes of Health Research; P01 CA013106 - NCI NIH HH

Bearing Capacity of Defective Reinforced Concrete Pile in Sand-model Study

Concrete piles that were poorly constructed or analyzed in their soil analyses may have structural or geotechnical defects. To examine such defects, an experimental study was conducted to investigate how a defective reinforced concrete pile behaved. These piles were installed and subjected to a compression axial load in the sand that had relative densities of 30%,60%, and 80%. The tests were performed using four concrete model piles: one intact pile and the other three piles had a structural defect (necking) at three different positions of the pile at (0.25 L from the top, center, and 0.25 L bottom). Geotechnical defect (soft layer or debris) was studied using Styrofoam layer at various vertical distances under the pile toe with Y/D = (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5) D. The test results showed that the bearing capacity of the structural defect was the most in the case of a neck at 0.25 L from the bottom, followed by a neck at the center, and finally a neck at 0.25 L from the top. In the case of a geotechnical defect, the bearing capacity of the pile decreased with the decrease of the vertical distance between the soft layer and the pile toe

Real-Time PCR in the early detection of invasive fungal infection in immunodeficient infants and children

Background: Crucial to the diagnosis and effective therapy of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in the immunodeficient is the early identification of the causative agent especially in patients who lack clinical evidence of the disease. The standard methods for the detection of fungi in clinical specimens are direct microscopy and mycological culture. Microscopy often lacks a satisfactory sensitivity, whereas diagnosis by mycological culture often requires a long growth period. Studies have demonstrated the feasibility of detecting molds and yeast in a single reaction using the universal fungal primer. Objective: Evaluation of the role of real-time PCR in the early detection of fungal infection in immunodeficient patients with suspected IFI, who lack clinical evidence of the disease. Methods: This study included 30 immunodeficiency patients suspected of having IFI; 9 with primary and 21 with secondary immunodeficiency. All patients had at least one host factor, but no clinical criteria according to the EORTC-MSG definition of IFI. Twenty seven had fever and 3 had bronchopneumonia, both not responding to broad spectrum antibiotics for 96 hrs. or more. Blood samples were cultured for fungi and were analyzed with real-time PCR using universal fungal primers. For positive samples of fungal infection, aspergillus-specific primers were used for detection of aspergillus. Results: Seventeen patients (56.7%) proved to have IFI. Blood culture detected Candida in 2 patients only, while PCR detected Candida in another 9 and Aspergillus in 6, thus 15/17 patients with IFI (88%) were missed by blood culture. Blood culture for IFI diagnosis had a very low sensitivity (12%) but had a 100% specificity and positive predictive value. The results PCR did not vary with gender, degree of fever, immunodeficiency type, clinical presentation or current intake of antifungal treatment. Patients with proven IFI showed significantly increased CRP levels as compared to those without infection. Conclusion: Real-time PCR proved superior to culture in early diagnosis of IFI in patients with immunodeficiency before the appearance of the characteristic clinical and imaging signs. Reliance on blood culture alone at that stage would result in missing most of the positive cases with consequent delay in the initiation of specific treatment. Keywords: Invasive fungal infection, immunodeficiency, blood culture, real-time PCR, candida, aspergillusEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012;10(2):67-7

Response of primiparous and multiparous buffaloes to yeast culture supplementation during early and mid-lactation

Strains of live Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast have exhibited probiotic effects in ruminants. This study investigated the effects of the dietary yeast supplement, S. cerevisiae (Yea-Sacc1026), on primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) Egyptian buffaloes in early to mid-lactation. Lactating buffaloes were fed either a basal total mixed ration (TMR, control; 4 PP and 8 MP) or the basal TMR plus 10 g Yea-Sacc1026 per buffalo cow per day (yeast; 4 PP and 8 MP). The feeds were given from 15 days prepartum to 180 days postpartum. Feed intake, body weight, and milk yields (MY) were recorded, and milk and blood samples were collected for analyses. Feces were collected from days 45 to 47 during early lactation and from days 90 to 92 during mid-lactation to determine apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF). Energy corrected milk yield (ECM), feed conversion, and energy and nitrogen conversion efficiency were calculated. Yeast treated MP buffaloes consumed more DM (P ≤ 0.041) and CP than the untreated control group. Apparent digestibility of DM and OM were significantly greater at mid-lactation for treated versus control group (P = 0.001). Crude fiber digestibility was greater in MP than in PP buffaloes (P = 0.049), and yeast supplemented MP cows had a greater CF digestibility than control MP buffaloes at mid-lactation (P = 0.010). Total blood lipids decreased after yeast supplementation (P = 0.029). Milk yields, ECM, fat and protein yields increased for yeast treated MP buffaloes (P ≤ 0.039). The study concluded that the response to yeast supplementation in buffalo cows is parity dependent. Multiparous buffaloes respond to yeast supplementation with an increased DM intake and CF digestibility without significant weight gains, allowing a greater ECM yield with less fat mobilization. Supplementing buffaloes with yeast culture may increase milk production in early lactation and results in a more persistent milk production during mid-lactation. Feed conversion and energy and nitrogen conversion efficiency may be increased with the use of yeast supplementation in Egyptian buffaloes