Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attribute-Based Encryption With Efficient Verifiable Outsourced Decryption

Attribute-based encryption (ABE) with outsourced decryption not only enables fine-grained sharing of encrypted data, but also overcomes the efficiency drawback (in terms of ciphertext size and decryption cost) of the standard ABE schemes. In particular, an ABE scheme with outsourced decryption allows a third party (e.g., a cloud server) to transform an ABE ciphertext into a (short) El Gamal-type ciphertext using a public transformation key provided by a user so that the latter can be decrypted much more efficiently than the former by the user. However, a shortcoming of the original outsourced ABE scheme is that the correctness of the cloud server's transformation cannot be verified by the user. That is, an end user could be cheated into accepting a wrong or maliciously transformed output. In this paper, we first formalize a security model of ABE with verifiable outsourced decryption by introducing a verification key in the output of the encryption algorithm. Then, we present an approach to convert any ABE scheme with outsourced decryption into an ABE scheme with verifiable outsourced decryption. The new approach is simple, general, and almost optimal. Compared with the original outsourced ABE, our verifiable outsourced ABE neither increases the user's and the cloud server's computation costs except some nondominant operations (e.g., hash computations), nor expands the ciphertext size except adding a hash value (which is <;20 byte for 80-bit security level). We show a concrete construction based on Green et al.'s ciphertext-policy ABE scheme with outsourced decryption, and provide a detailed performance evaluation to demonstrate the advantages of our approach.
American Spread Option Models and Valuation

American Spread Option Models and Valuation Yu Hu Department of Mathematics, BYU Doctor of Philosophy Spread options are derivative securities, which are written on the difference between the values of two underlying market variables. They are very important tools to hedge the correlation risk. American style spread options allow the holder to exercise the option at any time up to and including maturity. Although they are widely used to hedge and speculate in financial market, the valuation of the American spread option is very challenging. Because even under the classic assumptions that the underlying assets follow the log-normal distribution, the resulting spread doesn’t have a distribution with a simple closed formula. In this dissertation, we investigate the American spread option pricing problem. Several approaches for the geometric Brownian motion model and the stochastic volatility model are developed. We also implement the above models and the numerical results are compared among different approaches.
Property Crime, Earnings Variability, and the Cost of Capital

We show that firms located in states where property crime is more prevalent have more uncertain earnings and higher financing costs. Specifically, firms located in states with higher property crime rates have more volatile and less persistent earnings as well as lower quality analysts' earnings forecasts. Firms located in states with higher property crime rates also have a higher cost of equity and debt capital. These results are robust to accounting for econometric and endogeneity concerns in various ways. Overall, our results suggest that a potentially large and overlooked cost of crime is a higher cost of capital.
Comparison of coronary bypass surgery with drug-eluting stenting for the treatment of left main and/or three-vessel disease: 3-year follow-up of the SYNTAX trial.

AIMS Long-term randomized comparisons of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in left main coronary (LM) disease and/or three-vessel disease (3VD) patients have been limited. This analysis compares 3-year outcomes in LM and/or 3VD patients treated with CABG or PCI with TAXUS Express stents. METHODS AND RESULTS SYNTAX is an 85-centre randomized clinical trial (n= 1800). Prospectively screened, consecutive LM and/or 3VD patients were randomized if amenable to equivalent revascularization using either technique; if not, they were entered into a registry. Patients in the randomized cohort will continue to be followed for 5 years. At 3 years, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events [MACCE: death, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and repeat revascularization; CABG 20.2% vs. PCI 28.0%, P< 0.001], repeat revascularization (10.7 vs. 19.7%, P< 0.001), and MI (3.6 vs. 7.1%, P= 0.002) were elevated in the PCI arm. Rates of the composite safety endpoint (death/stroke/MI 12.0 vs. 14.1%, P= 0.21) and stroke alone (3.4 vs. 2.0%, P= 0.07) were not significantly different between treatment groups. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event rates were not significantly different between arms in the LM subgroup (22.3 vs. 26.8%, P= 0.20) but were higher with PCI in the 3VD subgroup (18.8 vs. 28.8%, P< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS At 3 years, MACCE was significantly higher in PCI- compared with CABG-treated patients. In patients with less complex disease (low SYNTAX scores for 3VD or low/intermediate terciles for LM patients), PCI is an acceptable revascularization, although longer follow-up is needed to evaluate these two revascularization strategies.
The MADS and the Beauty: Genes Involved in the Development of Orchid Flowers

Since the time of Darwin, biologists have studied the origin and evolution of the Orchidaceae, one of the largest families of flowering plants. In the last two decades, the extreme diversity and specialization of floral morphology and the uncoupled rate of morphological and molecular evolution that have been observed in some orchid species have spurred interest in the study of the genes involved in flower development in this plant family. As part of the complex network of regulatory genes driving the formation of flower organs, the MADS-box represents the most studied gene family, both from functional and evolutionary perspectives. Despite the absence of a published genome for orchids, comparative genetic analyses are clarifying the functional role and the evolutionary pattern of the MADS-box genes in orchids. Various evolutionary forces act on the MADS-box genes in orchids, such as diffuse purifying selection and the relaxation of selective constraints, which sometimes reveals a heterogeneous selective pattern of the coding and non-coding regions. The emerging theory regarding the evolution of floral diversity in orchids proposes that the diversification of the orchid perianth was a consequence of duplication events and changes in the regulatory regions of the MADS-box genes, followed by sub- and neo-functionalization. This specific developmental-genetic code is termed the “orchid code. ”
Evaluation of Intranet-based end-user training

End-user training is a critical factor in the success of information systems. With rising demand for end-user training, organizations are seeking new and innovative approaches for providing low-cost and effective training. Recently, intranet technology has received wide acclaim in the business press as a powerful and cost-effective method for providing anytime-anyplace training. Most of these claims, however, are anecdotal in nature. We have used a case study research method to evaluate intranet-based training in an organization. This study relies on extensive collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data to study two research issues: (1) the role of intranet technology in all phases of the training process and (2) effectiveness of intranet-based training. This research expands our understanding of a new and innovative strategy for training end-users. The results of this study will provide a foundation for conducting further research on the role and effectiveness of intranets in providing end-user training. It will also provide guidelines to IS and training managers in evaluating the appropriateness of intranet technology for training end-users.
Measuring Social Influence Without Bias

How well can statistical models disentangle the effects of social influence from homophily in observational network data, and under what conditions do they models fail? 1 Many outcomes of interest to social scientists – such as obesity, political attitudes, altruism, and drug use – are highly correlated within social networks.2 However, behaviors and attitudes tend to be correlated in social networks for reasons other than just direct peer-to-peer influence, resulting in serious methodological challenges for making causal inferences in purely observational data (Angrist, 2014; Manski, 1993).
Urinary Corticoid Concentrations Measured by 5 Different Immunoassays and Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry in Healthy Dogs and Dogs with Hypercortisolism at Home and in the Hospital

Background Determination of the urinary corticoid‐to‐creatinine ratio (UCCR) is an important screening test in the diagnosis of hypercortisolism (HC). However, urinary cortisol metabolites interfere with cortisol measurement in immunoassays, leading to decreased specificity. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) is considered the gold standard for steroid hormone analysis, because it provides a high level of selectivity and accuracy. Objectives To prospectively compare the UCCR of healthy dogs and dogs with HC determined by 5 different immunoassays and by GC‐MS and to evaluate the influence of veterinary care on UCCR. Animals Twenty healthy dogs; 18 dogs with HC. Methods Urine was collected in the hospital and again after 6 days at home. Three chemiluminescence immunoassays (Access 2, Beckmann; Immulite 2000, DPC Siemens, with and without trichloromethane extraction) and 2 RIAs (Utrecht in house; Access Beckmann) were used. GC‐MS analyses were performed with Agilent 6890N/5973N. Urinary corticoid concentrations were related to urinary creatinine concentrations. Results Immunoassay results were significantly higher compared to GC‐MS results. Evaluation of bias plots and clinical assessment made on the basis of the assay results of each dog indicated substantial disagreement among the assays. Sensitivity varied from 37.5 to 75% and with selected assays was lower in samples from day 6 compared to day 0. GC‐MS was not superior to the immunoassays in discriminating healthy from HC dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Considerable variation must be anticipated comparing different urinary cortisol assays. Establishing an assay‐ and laboratory‐specific reference range is critical when using UCCR.
The Determinations of Equity Value with Stochastic Term Structure of Discount Factors

This paper discusses equity valuation on a per share basis and in a stochastic term structure of discount factors framework. The value of equity has been explicitly expressed in a no-growth component, which is proxied by either capitalised next period earnings or open book value, and growth components, which links short term performance of book value and growth rates of earnings performance adjusted by market systematic risk. Consistent with asset pricing theory discounting risk-adjusted future cash stream bases on short term interest rate rather than risk-adjusted cost of capital. The growth value is shown to be a function of retention rate and persistence of returns on earnings retained and the market risk. The constant dividend growth model and Ohlson and Juettner (2000) are special cases if one assumes that the interest rate is constant and the future investment opportunities have the same risk as the existing business. In a constant earnings growth setting, it is shown that only when return on equity is greater than a risk adjusted rate of return should the firm increase the retention rate, and the implied risk premium is positively linked to the systematic market risk in a nonlinear fashion.
Travel and translation in the early modern period

Carmine G. DI BIASE: Introduction: The Example of the Early Modern Lexicographer Section 1: Towards the Vernacular Russel LEMMONS: "If there is a hell, then Rome stands upon it": Martin Luther as Traveler and Translator Erika RUMMEL: Fertile Ground: Erasmus's Travels in England Stella P. REVARD: Across the Alps-an English Poet Addresses an Italian in Latin: John Milton in Naples Anthony M. CINQUEMANI: Milton Translating Petrarch: Paradise Lost VIII and the Secretum. Section 2: The English in Italy and Spain Joseph KHOURY: Writing and Lying: William Thomas and the Politics of Translation Donald BEECHER: John Frampton of Bristol, Trader and Translator Kenneth R. BARTLETT: Thomas Hoby, Translator, Traveler Brenda M. HOSINGTON: "A poore preasant off Ytalyan costume": The Interplay of Travel and Translation in William Barker's Dyssputacion off the Nobylytye off Wymen Section 3: The European as Other and the Other in Europe Kristiaan AERCKE: The Pilgrimage of Konrad Grunemberg to the Holy Land in 1486 Oumelbanine ZHIRI: Leo Africanus and the Limits of Translation James Nelson NOVOA: From Incan Realm to the Italian Renaissance: Garcilaso el Inca and his Translation of Leone Ebreo's Dialoghi d'Amore Maria Antonia GARCES: The Translator Translated: Inca Garcilaso and English Imperial Expansion Section 4: Towards Art and Parody Randall C. DAVIS: Early Anglo-American Attitudes to Native American Languages Jack D'AMICO: "Where the devil should he learn our language? "-Travel and Translation in Shakespeare's The Tempest Howard MILLER: Tamburlaine: the Migration and Translation of Marlowe's Arabic Sources Joanne E. GATES: Travel and Pseudo-Translation in the Self-Promotional Writings of John Taylor, Water Poet Index
Plasmodium vivax Diversity and Population Structure across Four Continents

Plasmodium vivax is the geographically most widespread human malaria parasite. To analyze patterns of microsatellite diversity and population structure across countries of different transmission intensity, genotyping data from 11 microsatellite markers was either generated or compiled from 841 isolates from four continents collected in 1999–2008. Diversity was highest in South-East Asia (mean allelic richness 10.0–12.8), intermediate in the South Pacific (8.1–9.9) Madagascar and Sudan (7.9–8.4), and lowest in South America and Central Asia (5.5–7.2). A reduced panel of only 3 markers was sufficient to identify approx. 90% of all haplotypes in South Pacific, African and SE-Asian populations, but only 60–80% in Latin American populations, suggesting that typing of 2–6 markers, depending on the level of endemicity, is sufficient for epidemiological studies. Clustering analysis showed distinct clusters in Peru and Brazil, but little sub-structuring was observed within Africa, SE-Asia or the South Pacific. Isolates from Uzbekistan were exceptional, as a near-clonal parasite population was observed that was clearly separated from all other populations (F ST>0.2). Outside Central Asia F ST values were highest (0.11–0.16) between South American and all other populations, and lowest (0.04–0.07) between populations from South-East Asia and the South Pacific. These comparisons between P. vivax populations from four continents indicated that not only transmission intensity, but also geographical isolation affect diversity and population structure. However, the high effective population size results in slow changes of these parameters. This persistency must be taken into account when assessing the impact of control programs on the genetic structure of parasite populations.
Photosensitizing Medication Use and Risk of Skin Cancer

Background: Many commonly used medications, including both medications for long-term (daily) use and short-term use (treatment courses of finite duration), have photosensitizing properties. Whether use of these medications affects skin cancer risk, however, is unclear. Methods: Using a cohort of all Danish residents ≥15 years old in 1995 to 2006 (n = 4,761,749) and information from Danish national registers, we examined associations between use of photosensitizing medications and risk of basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous malignant melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Results: Users of only 2 of 19 medications for long-term use (methyldopa and furosemide) had both a ≥20% increased risk of skin cancer (compared with nonusers) and an increase in risk with increasing duration of use; these effects were limited to basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. In contrast, 8 of 10 medications for short-term use were associated with both a ≥20% increased risk of skin cancer and an increase in risk with increasing use for at least one of the four cancers. Conclusion: We found little evidence of an increased risk of skin cancer among users of photosensitizing medications for long-term daily use, but could not rule out the possibility that users of some photosensitizing medications for short-term use may have an increased risk of skin cancer. Impact: Previous studies have been limited to specific medication types (e.g., antidiuretics). Our study examined the effect of a wide range of photosensitizing medications on skin cancer risk and suggests that future work should focus on photosensitizing medications for short-term use. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(11); 2942–9. ©2010 AACR.
Bacterial Proteasome Activator Bpa (Rv3780) Is a Novel Ring-Shaped Interactor of the Mycobacterial Proteasome

The occurrence of the proteasome in bacteria is limited to the phylum of actinobacteria, where it is maintained in parallel to the usual bacterial compartmentalizing proteases. The role it plays in these organisms is still not fully understood, but in the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) the proteasome supports persistence in the host. In complex with the ring-shaped ATPase Mpa (called ARC in other actinobacteria), the proteasome can degrade proteins that have been post-translationally modified with the prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein Pup. Unlike for the eukaryotic proteasome core particle, no other bacterial proteasome interactors have been identified to date. Here we describe and characterize a novel bacterial proteasome activator of Mycobacterium tuberculosis we termed Bpa (Rv3780), using a combination of biochemical and biophysical methods. Bpa features a canonical C-terminal proteasome interaction motif referred to as the HbYX motif, and its orthologs are only found in those actinobacteria encoding the proteasomal subunits. Bpa can inhibit degradation of Pup-tagged substrates in vitro by competing with Mpa for association with the proteasome. Using negative-stain electron microscopy, we show that Bpa forms a ring-shaped homooligomer that can bind coaxially to the face of the proteasome cylinder. Interestingly, Bpa can stimulate the proteasomal degradation of the model substrate β-casein, which suggests it could play a role in the removal of non-native or damaged proteins.
Differential expression of the Slc4 bicarbonate transporter family in murine corneal endothelium and cell culture

Purpose To characterize the relative expression levels of all the solute carrier 4 (Slc4) transporter family members (Slc4a1–Slc4a11) in murine corneal endothelium using real-time quantitative (qPCR), to identify further important members besides Slc4a11 and Slc4a4, and to explore how close to the baseline levels the gene expressions remain after cells have been subjected to expansion and culture. Methods Descemet’s membrane-endothelial layers of 8–10-week-old C57BL6 mice were stripped from corneas and used for both primary cell culture and direct RNA extraction. Total RNA (from uncultured cells as well as cultured cells at passages 2 and 7) was reverse transcribed, and the cDNA was used for real time qPCR using specific primers for all the Slc4 family members. The geNorm method was applied to determine the most stable housekeeping genes and normalization factor, which was calculated from multiple housekeeping genes for more accurate and robust quantification. Results qPCR analyses revealed that all Slc4 bicarbonate transporter family members were expressed in mouse corneal endothelium. Slc4a11 showed the highest expression, which was approximately three times higher than that of Slc4a4 (3.4±0.3; p=0.004). All Slc4 genes were also expressed in cultured cells, and interestingly, the expression of Slc4a11 in cultured cells was significantly reduced by approximately 20-fold (0.05±0.001; p=0.000001) in early passage and by approximately sevenfold (0.14±0.002; p=0.000002) in late passage cells. Conclusions Given the known involvement of SLC4A4 and SLC4A11 in corneal dystrophies, we speculate that the other two highly expressed genes in the uncultured corneal endothelium, SLC4A2 and SLC4A7, are worthy of being considered as potential candidate genes for corneal endothelial diseases. Moreover, as cell culture can affect expression levels of Slc4 genes, caution and careful design of experiments are necessary when undertaking studies of Slc4-mediated ion transport in cultured cells.
Improved modulation of merostrolateral prefrontal cortex using real-time fMRI training and metacognitive awareness

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DMT of Parallel-Path and Layered Networks Under the Half-Duplex Constraint

In this paper, we study the diversity-multiplexing-gain tradeoff (DMT) of wireless relay networks under the half-duplex constraint. It is often unclear what penalty if any, is imposed by the half-duplex constraint on the DMT of such networks. We study two classes of networks; the first class, called KPP(I) networks, is the class of networks with the relays organized in K parallel paths between the source and the destination. While we assume that there is no direct source-destination path, the K relaying paths can interfere with each other. The second class, termed as layered networks, is comprised of relays organized in layers, where links exist only between adjacent layers. We present a communication scheme based on static schedules and amplify-and-forward relaying for these networks. We also show that for KPP(I) networks with K≥3, the proposed schemes can achieve full-duplex DMT performance, thus demonstrating that there is no performance hit on the DMT due to the half-duplex constraint. We also show that, for layered networks, a linear DMT of dmax(1-r)+ between the maximum diversity dmax and the maximum MG, rmax=1 is achievable. We adapt existing DMT optimal coding schemes to these networks, thus specifying the end-to-end communication strategy explicitly.