Extensions to an authentication technique proposed for the globalmobility network

We present three attacks on the authentication protocol that has been proposed for the so-called global mobility network in the October 1997 issue of the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications. We show that the attacks are feasible and propose corrections that make the protocol more robust and resistant against two of the presented attacks. The aim is to highlight some basic design principles for cryptographic protocols, the adherence to which would have prevented these attacks     

Comparison of free-living amoebae in hot water systems of hospitals with isolates from moist sanitary areas by identifying genera and determining temperature tolerance

Legionella-contaminated hot water systems and moist sanitary areas in six hospitals were sampled for amoebae by following a standardized collection protocol. Genus identifications and temperature tolerance determinations were made. Amoebae identified as Hartmannella vermiformis (65%), Echinamoebae spp. (15%), Saccamoebae spp. (12%), and Vahlkampfia spp. (9%) were detected in 29 of 56 (52%) hot water samples. Twenty-three of 49 (47%) swabs obtained from moist areas were amoeba positive. The following genera were identified: Acanthamoeba (22%), Naegleria (22%), Vahlkampfia (20%), Hartmannella (15%), and Vanella (7%). The temperature tolerance of amoebae from hot water systems was strikingly different from that of amoebae from moist areas. At 44 degrees C on agar, 59% of amoebic isolates sampled from hot water systems showed growth. The corresponding value for isolates from moist areas was only 17%. Six Acanthamoeba isolates from the moist areas were considered potential pathogens. Four Hartmannella and two Saccamoeba isolates from hot water could be cultured at 53 degrees C.     

Depressive psychomotor disturbance, cortisol, and dexamethasone

The reactivity of sera of 96 individuals infected with human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was tested against various synthetic peptides corresponding to the gp46 immunodominant antigenic domains: residues 86-107, 175-199, and 239-261. The frequency of reactive sera was higher for 175-199 (93%) than for 239-261 (78%) or 86-107 (24%) with some variations in geographical regions and in diseases. The region 239-261 was extensively analyzed and five (linear or conformational) epitopes were found. The reactivity of sera toward functional or immunodominant domains may depend on the sequence of the infecting virus, and the role of three frequent substitutions (asparagine by tyrosine, proline by serine, and serine by proline or leucine at positions 93, 192, and 250 respectively) was established. Finally, the role of the genetic background of the host may condition the humoral immune response as individuals infected by HTLV-Is harboring the same predicted gp46 peptide sequence may recognize one, several, or all regions examined.     

Psychology and education.

Discusses the role of psychology in educational practice. It is suggested that psychological research and theory can help (1) policy makers and administrators improve schools as organizations, (2) teachers develop more effective strategies for motivating and stimulating learning, and (3) learners construct meaning and develop new skills throughout their lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Three isoflurane preparations from various manufacturers. A comparison of isoflurane concentrations in fresh gas after vaporization with a Drager vaporizer type 19.3

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to check the precision of the Dr?ger vaporizer model 19.3 when filled with three different preparations of isoflurane. METHODS: Six Dr?ger vaporizers model 19.3 calibrated with forene were filled with forene (Abbott), isoflurane (Lilly) and isoflurane (Pharmacia); gas output was measured by infrared absorption (Irina, Dr?ger) at vaporizer settings of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 vol%, starting with a fresh gas flow of 2 1/min followed by 4, 6 and 12 1/min. Thus each of the three isoflurane preparations was checked in six different vaporizers and with four different fresh gas flows. RESULTS: Within the concentration range used in clinical practice there was no significant difference in the delivery of the three isoflurane preparations. Each of the six vaporizers produced a controllable and predictable concentration of the three preparations. CONCLUSION: Vaporizers of Dr?ger type 19.n calibrated with forene deliver the same predictable concentration of the volatile anaesthetic when filled with isoflurane from Lilly or isoflurane from Pharmacia instead of forene and may be used without impairment in patient safety. In addition, no specific calibration with one of the new isoflurane preparations is required.     

"The meaning(s) of conditionals: Conditional probabilities, mental models, and personal utilities": Correction to Oberauer and Wilhelm (2003).

Reports an error in "The meaning(s) of conditionals: Conditional probabilities, mental models, and personal utilities" by Klaus Oberauer and Oliver Wilhelm (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 2003[Jul], Vol 29[4], 680-693). On page 684, Table 4, all correlations should have been identified as having a p2003-06626-018.) Five experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that people understand conditional statements ("if p then q") as indicating a high conditional probability P(q|p). Participants estimated the probability that a given conditional is true (Experiments 1A, 1B, and 3) or judged whether a conditional was true or false (Experiments 2 and 4) given information about the frequencies of the relevant truth table cases. Judgments were strongly influenced by the ratio of pq to p?q cases, supporting the conditional probability account. In Experiments 1A, 1B, and 3, judgments were also affected by the frequency of pq cases, consistent with a version of mental model theory. Experiments 3 and 4 extended the results to thematic conditionals and showed that the pragmatic utility associated with believing a statement also affected the degree of belief in conditionals but not in logically equivalent quantified statements. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

伊泰普工程设计和施工中的风险分析与管理

1　引言伊泰普水电工程为巴西和巴拉圭两国共有,并共同管理和运行。1970至1974年,对两国共有的巴拉那河界河河段,进行了广泛的可行性研究,确认了工程的规划设计方案。工程施工始于1975年5月2日。1978年10月20日实现了明渠导流。1982年10月23日水库蓄水至溢洪道高程。首台700ＭＷ机组于1984年5月5日开始投入运转。1991年4月10日,装机总容量12600ＭＷ水电站的第18台机组投产。对这个巨型工程的规划、设计和施工过程中进行关键决策时,应用风险分析与管理方法的若干成功实例予以介绍。工程最终的成功,包括其安全性、长期运行的可靠性以及工程的…     

Surface modification of polyacrylonitrile staple fibers via alkaline hydrolysis for superabsorbent applications

The alkaline hydrolysis of polyacrylonitrile staple fibers was investigated for evaluation as superabsorbent materials. Studies were performed to analyze the hydrolysis of fibers and the quantification of the developed functional groups, such as carboxyl and amide groups as well as changes in the nitrile content by means of Micro‐ATR. Dyeing of the samples with methylene blue was carried out to monitor the carboxyl groups formed during the hydrolysis. A gradual decrease in the nitrile groups and built up of the carboxyl and the amide groups was observed during the hydrolysis. Microscopic investigation carried out to investigate the surface structure of hydrolyzed fibers. Hydrolysis led to surface nonhomogeneity and erosion that was dependent on the hydrolysis conditions. The fibers showed good water retention behavior, making them superabsorbent materials. The dyeing showed more intense coloration in the surface region of the modified fibers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3127–3133, 2004