A generic variant of NIST’s KAS2 key agreement protocol

We propose a generic three-pass key agreement protocol that is based on a certain kind of trapdoor one-way function family. When specialized to the RSA setting, the generic protocol yields the so-called KAS2 scheme that has recently been standardized by NIST. On the other hand, when specialized to the discrete log setting, we obtain a new protocol which we call DH2. An interesting feature of DH2 is that parties can use different groups (e.g., different elliptic curves). The generic protocol also has a hybrid implementation, where one party has an RSA key pair and the other party has a discrete log key pair. The security of KAS2 and DH2 is analyzed in an appropriate modification of the extended Canetti-Krawczyk security model.

Development of a New Generation of Vectors for Gene Expression, Gene Replacement, and Protein-Protein Interaction Studies in Mycobacteria

Escherichia coli-mycobacterium shuttle vectors are important tools for gene expression and gene replacement in mycobacteria. However, most of the currently available vectors are limited in their use because of the lack of extended multiple cloning sites (MCSs) and convenience of appending an epitope tag(s) to the cloned open reading frames (ORFs). Here we report a new series of vectors that allow for the constitutive and regulatable expression of proteins, appended with peptide tag sequences at their N and C termini, respectively. The applicability of these vectors is demonstrated by the constitutive and induced expression of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis pknK gene, coding for protein kinase K, a serine-threonine protein kinase. Furthermore, a suicide plasmid with expanded MCS for creating gene replacements, a plasmid for chromosomal integrations at the commonly used L5 attB site, and a hypoxia-responsive vector, for expression of a gene(s) under hypoxic conditions that mimic latency, have also been created. Additionally, we have created a vector for the coexpression of two proteins controlled by two independent promoters, with each protein being in fusion with a different tag. The shuttle vectors developed in the present study are excellent tools for the analysis of gene function in mycobacteria and are a valuable addition to the existing repertoire of vectors for mycobacterial research.

Application of a modified jogged-screw model for creep of titanium aluminides: evaluation of the key substructural parameters

A modification of the jogged-screw model has been adopted recently by the authors to explain observations of 1/2[110]-type jogged-screw dislocations in equiaxed Ti-48Al under creep conditions. The aim of this study has been to verify and validate the parameters and functional dependencies that have been assumed in this previous work. The original solution has been reformulated to take into account the finite length of the moving jog. This is a better approximation of the tall jog. The substructural model parameters have been further investigated in light of the Finite Length Moving Line (FLML) source approximation. The original model assumes that the critical jog height (beyond which the jog is not dragged) is inversely proportional to the applied stress. By accounting for the fact that there are three competing mechanisms (jog dragging, dipole dragging, dipole bypass) possible, we can arrive at a modified critical jog height. The critical jog height was found to be more strongly stress dependent than assumed previously. The original model assumes the jog spacing to be invariant over the stress range. However, dynamic simulation using a line tension model has shown that the jog spacing is inversely proportional to the applied stress. This has also been confirmed by TEM measurements of jog spacings over a range of stresses. Taylor's expression assumed previously to provide the dependence of dislocation density on the applied stress, has now been confirmed by actual dislocation density measurements. Combining all of these parameters and dependencies, derived both from experiment and theory, leads to an excellent prediction of creep rates and stress exponents. The further application of this model to other materials, and the important role of atomistic and dislocation dynamics simulations in its continued development is also discussed.

On the secret key capacity of the harary graph PIN model

A pairwise independent network (PIN) model consists of pairwise secret keys (SKs) distributed among m terminals. The goal is to generate, through public communication among the terminals, a group SK that is information-theoretically secure from an eavesdropper. In this paper, we study the Harary graph PIN model, which has useful fault-tolerant properties. We derive the exact SK capacity for a regular Harary graph PIN model. Lower and upper bounds on the fault-tolerant SK capacity of the Harary graph PIN model are also derived.

Structural Integrity of the Greek Key Motif in beta gamma-Crystallins Is Vital for Central Eye Lens Transparency

Background: We highlight an unrecognized physiological role for the Greek key motif, an evolutionarily conserved super-secondary structural topology of the beta gamma-crystallins. These proteins constitute the bulk of the human eye lens, packed at very high concentrations in a compact, globular, short-range order, generating transparency. Congenital cataract (affecting 400,000 newborns yearly worldwide), associated with 54 mutations in beta gamma-crystallins, occurs in two major phenotypes nuclear cataract, which blocks the central visual axis, hampering the development of the growing eye and demanding earliest intervention, and the milder peripheral progressive cataract where surgery can wait. In order to understand this phenotypic dichotomy at the molecular level, we have studied the structural and aggregation features of representative mutations. Methods: Wild type and several representative mutant proteins were cloned, expressed and purified and their secondary and tertiary structural details, as well as structural stability, were compared in solution, using spectroscopy. Their tendencies to aggregate in vitro and in cellulo were also compared. In addition, we analyzed their structural differences by molecular modeling in silico. Results: Based on their properties, mutants are seen to fall into two classes. Mutants A36P, L45PL54P, R140X, and G165fs display lowered solubility and structural stability, expose several buried residues to the surface, aggregate in vitro and in cellulo, and disturb/distort the Greek key motif. And they are associated with nuclear cataract. In contrast, mutants P24T and R77S, associated with peripheral cataract, behave quite similar to the wild type molecule, and do not affect the Greek key topology. Conclusion: When a mutation distorts even one of the four Greek key motifs, the protein readily self-aggregates and precipitates, consistent with the phenotype of nuclear cataract, while mutations not affecting the motif display `native state aggregation', leading to peripheral cataract, thus offering a protein structural rationale for the cataract phenotypic dichotomy ``distort motif, lose central vision''.

Certificate-less on-demand public key management (CLPKM) for self-organized MANETs

In this paper, we have proposed a novel certificate-less on-demand public key management (CLPKM) protocol for self-organized MANETs. The protocol works on flat network architecture, and distinguishes between authentication layer and routing layer of the network. We put an upper limit on the length of verification route and use the end-to-end trust value of a route to evaluate its strength. The end-to-end trust value is used by the protocol to select the most trusted verification route for accomplishing public key verification. Also, the protocol uses MAC function instead of RSA certificates to perform public key verification. By doing this, the protocol saves considerable computation power, bandwidth and storage space. The saved storage space is utilized by the protocol to keep a number of pre-established routes in the network nodes, which helps in reducing the average verification delay of the protocol. Analysis and simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.

A Multicast Authentication Protocol (MAP) for Dynamic Multicast Groups in Wireless Networks

In this paper, we have proposed a centralized multicast authentication protocol (MAP) for dynamic multicast groups in wireless networks. In our protocol, a multicast group is defined only at the time of the multicasting. The authentication server (AS) in the network generates a session key and authenticates it to each of the members of a multicast group using the computationally inexpensive least common multiple (LCM) method. In addition, a pseudo random function (PRF) is used to bind the secret keys of the network members with their identities. By doing this, the AS is relieved from storing per member secrets in its memory, making the scheme completely storage scalable. The protocol minimizes the load on the network members by shifting the computational tasks towards the AS node as far as possible. The protocol possesses a membership revocation mechanism and is protected against replay attack and brute force attack. Analytical and simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.

Identification of key amino acid residues in the catalytic mechanism of diaminopropionate ammonialyase from Salmonella typhimurium

Diaminopropionate ammonialyase (DAPAL), a fold-typeII pyridoxal 5-phosphate-dependent enzyme, catalyzes the ,-elimination of diaminopropionate (DAP) to pyruvate and ammonia. DAPAL was able to utilize both d- and l-DAP as substrates with almost equal efficiency. Mutational analysis of functionally important residues such as Thr385, Asp125 and Asp194 was carried out to understand the mechanism by which the isomers are hydrolyzed. Further, the putative residues involved in the formation of disulfide bond Cys271 and Cys299 were also mutated. T385S, T385D sDAPAL were as active with dl-DAP as substrate as sDAPAL, whereas the later exhibited a threefold increase in catalytic efficiency with d-Ser as substrate. Further analysis of these mutants suggested that DAPAL might follow an anti-E-2 mechanism of catalysis that does not involve the formation of a quinonoid intermediate. Of the two mutants of Asp125, D125E showed complete loss of activity with d-DAP as substrate, whereas the reaction with l-DAP was not affected significantly, demonstrating that Asp125 was essential for abstraction of protons from the d-isomer. By contrast, mutational analysis of Asp194 showed that the residue may not be directly involved in proton abstraction from l-DAP. sDAPAL does not form a disulfide bond in solution, although the position of Cys299 and Cys271 in the modeled structure of sDAPAL favored the formation of a disulfide bond. Further, unlike eDAPAL, sDAPAL could be activated by monovalent cations. Mutation of the cysteine residues showed that Cys271 may be involved in coordinating the monovalent cation, as observed in the case of other fold-typeII enzymes.

Fault-tolerant secret key generation

Mobile nodes observing correlated data communicate using an insecure bidirectional switch to generate a secret key, which must remain concealed from the switch. We are interested in fault-tolerant secret key rates, i.e., the rates of secret key generated even if a subset of nodes drop out before the completion of the communication protocol. We formulate a new notion of fault-tolerant secret key capacity, and present an upper bound on it. This upper bound is shown to be tight when the random variables corresponding to the observations of nodes are exchangeable. Further, it is shown that one round of interaction achieves the fault-tolerant secret key capacity in this case. The upper bound is also tight for the case of a pairwise independent network model consisting of a complete graph, and can be attained by a noninteractive protocol.

Locating the attacker of wormhole attack by using the honeypot

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) having strikingly superior features also come with notable disadvantage and troubles and the most exigent amongst all being security related issues. Such an ringent network dexterously pave approach for the malicious nodes. Hence providing security is a tedious task. For such a dynamic environment, a security system which dynamically observes the attacker's plans and protect the highly sophisticated resources is in high demand. In this paper we present a method of providing security against wormhole attacks to a MANET by learning about the environment dynamically and adapting itself to avoid malicious nodes. We accomplish this with the assistance of Honeypot. Our method predicts the wormhole attack that may take place and protect the resources well-in advance. Also it cleverly deal with the attacker by using previous history and different type of messages to locate the attacker. Several experiments suggest that the system is accurate in handling wormhole attack.

Stable atmospheric methane in the 2000s: key-role of emissions from natural wetlands

Two atmospheric inversions (one fine-resolved and one process-discriminating) and a process-based model for land surface exchanges are brought together to analyse the variations of methane emissions from 1990 to 2009. A focus is put on the role of natural wetlands and on the years 2000-2006, a period of stable atmospheric concentrations. From 1990 to 2000, the top-down and bottom-up visions agree on the time-phasing of global total and wetland emission anomalies. The process-discriminating inversion indicates that wetlands dominate the time-variability of methane emissions (90% of the total variability). The contribution of tropical wetlands to the anomalies is found to be large, especially during the post-Pinatubo years (global negative anomalies with minima between -41 and -19 Tg yr(-1) in 1992) and during the alternate 1997-1998 El-Nino/1998-1999 La-Nina (maximal anomalies in tropical regions between +16 and +22 Tg yr(-1) for the inversions and anomalies due to tropical wetlands between +12 and +17 Tg yr(-1) for the process-based model). Between 2000 and 2006, during the stagnation of methane concentrations in the atmosphere, the top-down and bottom-up approaches agree on the fact that South America is the main region contributing to anomalies in natural wetland emissions, but they disagree on the sign and magnitude of the flux trend in the Amazon basin. A negative trend (-3.9 +/- 1.3 Tg yr(-1)) is inferred by the process-discriminating inversion whereas a positive trend (+1.3 +/- 0.3 Tg yr(-1)) is found by the process model. Although processed-based models have their own caveats and may not take into account all processes, the positive trend found by the B-U approach is considered more likely because it is a robust feature of the process-based model, consistent with analysed precipitations and the satellite-derived extent of inundated areas. On the contrary, the surface-data based inversions lack constraints for South America. This result suggests the need for a re-interpretation of the large increase found in anthropogenic methane inventories after 2000.

Multifunctional Properties of Multistage Spark Plasma Sintered HA-BaTiO3-Based Piezobiocomposites for Bone Replacement Applications

This work reports the processing-microstructure-property correlation of novel HA-BaTiO3-based piezobiocomposites, which demonstrated the bone-mimicking functional properties. A series of composites of hydroxyapatite (HA) with varying amounts of piezoelectric BaTiO3 (BT) were optimally processed using uniquely designed multistage spark plasma sintering (SPS) route. Transmission electron microscopy imaging during in situ heating provides complementary information on the real-time observation of sintering behavior. Ultrafine grains (0.50m) of HA and BT phases were predominantly retained in the SPSed samples. The experimental results revealed that dielectric constant, AC conductivity, piezoelectric strain coefficient, compressive strength, and modulus values of HA-40wt% BT closely resembles with that of the natural bone. The addition of 40wt% BT enhances the long-crack fracture toughness, compressive strength, and modulus by 132%, 200%, and 165%, respectively, with respect to HA. The above-mentioned exceptional combination of functional properties potentially establishes HA-40wt% BT piezocomposite as a new-generation composite for orthopedic implant applications.

Insulin like growth factor binding protein 4 promotes GBM progression and regulates key factors involved in EMT and invasion

Insulin like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) regulates growth and development of tissues and organs by negatively regulating IGF signaling. Among most cancers, IGFBP4 has growth inhibitory role and reported as a down-regulated gene, except for renal cell carcinoma, wherein IGFBP4 promotes tumor progression. IGFBP4 expression has been shown to be higher in increasing grades of astrocytoma. However, the functional role of IGFBP4 in gliomas has not been explored. Surgical biopsies of 20 normal brain and 198 astrocytoma samples were analyzed for IGFBP4 expression by qRT-PCR. Highest expression of IGFBP4 mRNA was seen in GBM tumors compared to control brain tissues (median log2 of 2.035, p < 0.0001). Immunohistochemical analysis of 53 tissue samples revealed predominant nuclear staining of IGFBP4, seen maximally in GBMs when compared to DA and AA tumors (median LI = 29.12 +/- A 16.943, p < 0.001). Over expression of IGFBP4 in U343 glioma cells resulted in up-regulation of molecules involved in tumor growth, EMT and invasion such as pAkt, pErk, Vimentin, and N-cadherin and down-regulation of E-cadherin. Functionally, IGFBP4 over expression in these cells resulted in increased proliferation, migration and invasion as assessed by MTT, transwell migration, and Matrigel invasion assays. These findings were confirmed upon IGFBP4 knockdown in U251 glioma cells. Our data suggest a pro-tumorigenic role for IGFBP4 in glioma.

Successful data recovery from oscillation photographs containing strong polycrystalline diffraction rings from an unknown small-molecule contaminant: preliminary structure solution of Salmonella typhimurium pyridoxal kinase (PdxK)

Pyridoxal kinase (PdxK; EC 2.7.1.35) belongs to the phosphotransferase family of enzymes and catalyzes the conversion of the three active forms of vitamin B-6, pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine, to their phosphorylated forms and thereby plays a key role in pyridoxal 5 `-phosphate salvage. In the present study, pyridoxal kinase from Salmonella typhimurium was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and crystallized. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.6 angstrom resolution at 100 K. The crystal belonged to the primitive orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unitcell parameters a = 65.11, b = 72.89, c = 107.52 angstrom. The data quality obtained by routine processing was poor owing to the presence of strong diffraction rings caused by a polycrystalline material of an unknown small molecule in all oscillation images. Excluding the reflections close to powder/polycrystalline rings provided data of sufficient quality for structure determination. A preliminary structure solution has been obtained by molecular replacement with the Phaser program in the CCP4 suite using E. coli pyridoxal kinase (PDB entry 2ddm) as the phasing model. Further refinement and analysis of the structure are likely to provide valuable insights into catalysis by pyridoxal kinases.

Self-organized public key management in MANETs with enhanced security and without certificate-chains

In the self-organized public key management approaches, public key verification is achieved through verification routes constituted by the transitive trust relationships among the network principals. Most of the existing approaches do not distinguish among different available verification routes. Moreover, to ensure stronger security, it is important to choose an appropriate metric to evaluate the strength of a route. Besides, all of the existing self-organized approaches use certificate-chains for achieving authentication, which are highly resource consuming. In this paper, we present a self-organized certificate-less on-demand public key management (CLPKM) protocol, which aims at providing the strongest verification routes for authentication purposes. It restricts the compromise probability for a verification route by restricting its length. Besides, we evaluate the strength of a verification route using its end-to-end trust value. The other important aspect of the protocol is that it uses a MAC function instead of RSA certificates to perform public key verifications. By doing this, the protocol saves considerable computation power, bandwidth and storage space. We have used an extended strand space model to analyze the correctness of the protocol. The analytical, simulation, and the testbed implementation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed protocol. (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.