Word ID – Intuitive representations of object identifiers

This disclosure describes a system and a method for mapping the numeric/alphanumeric identifiers of objects to words/phrases/sentences for the purpose of increasing memorability and/or human interactions

Elliptic Curves in Montgomery Form with B=1 and Their Low Order Torsion

In this note we first characterize the class of Montgomery curves with B=1 by the simplicity of their transformation into short Weierstrass form and explicitly determine their torsion points of order 2 and 4. We then consider two ``verifiably random\u27\u27 elliptic curves in the SECG standards and show that they are B=1 Montgomery curves that can also be simply transformed into Edwards form over their ground fields

A Hardware Analysis of Twisted Edwards Curves for an Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem

This paper presents implementation results of a reconfigurable elliptic curve processor defined over prime fields $GF(p)$. We use this processor to compare a new algorithm for point addition and point doubling operations on the twisted Edwards curves, against a current standard algorithm in use, namely the Double-and-Add. Secure power analysis versions of both algorithms are also examined and compared. The algorithms are implemented on an FPGA, and the speed, area and power performance of each are then evaluated for various modes of circuit operation using parallel processing. To the authors\u27 knowledge, this work introduces the first documented FPGA implementation for computations on twisted Edwards curves over fields $GF(p)$

Science and Technology Issues in the 115th Congress

Science and technology (S&T) have a pervasive influence over a wide range of issues confronting the nation. Public and private research and development spur scientific and technological advancement. Such advances can drive economic growth, help address national priorities, and improve health and quality of life. The constantly changing nature and ubiquity of science and technology frequently create public policy issues of congressional interest. The federal government supports scientific and technological advancement directly by funding and performing research and development and indirectly by creating and maintaining policies that encourage private sector efforts. Additionally, the federal government establishes and enforces regulatory frameworks governing many aspects of S&T activities. This report briefly outlines an array of science and technology policy issues that may come before the 115th Congress. Given the rapid pace of S&T advancement and its importance in many diverse public policy issues, S&T-related issues not discussed in this report may come before the 115th Congress. The selected issues are grouped into 9 categories: - Overarching S&T Policy Issues, - Agriculture, - Biomedical Research and Development, - Defense, - Energy, - Environment and Natural Resources, - Homeland Security, - Information Technology, - Physical and Material Sciences, and - Space. Each of these categories includes concise analysis of multiple policy issues. The material presented in this report should be viewed as illustrative rather than comprehensive. Each section identifies CRS reports, when available, and the appropriate CRS experts to contact for further information and analysis

Chromatin Structure Following UV-Induced DNA Damage—Repair or Death?

In eukaryotes, DNA is compacted into a complex structure known as chromatin. The unravelling of DNA is a crucial step in DNA repair, replication, transcription and recombination as this allows access to DNA for these processes. Failure to package DNA into the nucleosome, the individual unit of chromatin, can lead to genomic instability, driving a cell into apoptosis, senescence, or cellular proliferation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage causes destabilisation of chromatin integrity. UV irradiation induces DNA damage such as photolesions and subjects the chromatin to substantial rearrangements, causing the arrest of transcription forks and cell cycle arrest. Highly conserved processes known as nucleotide and base excision repair (NER and BER) then begin to repair these lesions. However, if DNA repair fails, the cell may be forced into apoptosis. The modification of various histones as well as nucleosome remodelling via ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complexes are required not only to repair these UV-induced DNA lesions, but also for apoptosis signalling. Histone modifications and nucleosome remodelling in response to UV also lead to the recruitment of various repair and pro-apoptotic proteins. Thus, the way in which a cell responds to UV irradiation via these modifications is important in determining its fate. Failure of these DNA damage response steps can lead to cellular proliferation and oncogenic development, causing skin cancer, hence these chromatin changes are critical for a proper response to UV-induced injury