Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Keyword guessing attacks on secure searchable public key encryption schemes with a designated tester

The first searchable public key encryption scheme with designated testers (dPEKS) known to be secure against keyword guessing attacks was due to Rhee et al. [H.S. Rhee, W. Susilo, and H.J. Kim, Secure searchable public key encryption scheme against keyword guessing attacks, IEICE Electron. Express 6(5) (2009), pp. 237–243]. Recently, some dPEKS schemes, including the Rhee et al. scheme, were found to be vulnerable to keyword guessing attacks by a malicious server. However, the Rhee et al. dPEKS scheme and its improved variants are still known to be secure against keyword guessing attack by the outsider attacker to date. In this paper, we present a keyword guessing attack by the outsider attacker on the existing dPEKS schemes. We first describe the attack scenario which is possible in the current nature of the Internet and public key encryption with keyword search applications, e.g. email routing. We then demonstrate the detailed attack steps on the Rhee et al. scheme as an attack instance. We emphasize that our attack is generic and it equally applies to all existing dPEKS schemes that claim to be secure against keyword guessing attacks by the outsider attacker.
Abnormal migration and distribution of neural crest cells in Pax6 heterozygous mutant eye, a model for human eye diseases

PAX6/Pax6 gene encodes a transcription factor that is crucially required for eye development. Pax6 heterozygous mutant mouse (Pax6Sey/+) shows various ocular defects, especially in the anterior segment. It has been well known that the induction of the lens and development of the cornea and retina are dependent on PAX6/Pax6 in a cell‐autonomous fashion, although the influence of PAX6/Pax6 on the other tissues derived from the ocular mesenchyme is largely unknown. Using transgenic mouse lines in which neural crest cells are genetically marked by LacZ or EGFP, we revealed the extensive contribution of neural crest derived cells (NCDCs) to the ocular tissues. Furthermore, various eye defects in Pax6Sey/+ mouse were accompanied by abnormal distribution of NCDCs from early developmental stages to the adult. In Pax6Sey/+ mouse mice, neural crest cells abnormally migrated into the developing eye in a cell nonautonomous manner at early embryonic stages. These results indicate that normal distribution and integration of NCDCs in ocular tissues depend on a proper dosage of Pax6, and that Pax6Sey/+ eye anomalies are caused by cell autonomous and nonautonomous defects due to Pax6 haploinsufficiency.
ELEVATED HYDROGEN SULFIDE LEVELS IN VITREOUS BODY AND PLASMA IN PATIENTS WITH PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Purpose: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a colorless gas, has been confirmed to be a gaseous messenger molecule and an endogenous stimulus for angiogenesis recently. This study was performed to investigate the role of H2S in diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Blood samples were collected from normal controls and patients with diabetes. Vitreous samples were collected from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Patients were grouped into diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (non-DR), with nonproliferative DR, and with PDR. Concentrations of H2S and vascular endothelial growth factor in the plasma and vitreous body were detected using a spectrophotometer. Results: A decreased H2S level in the plasma was observed in non-DR group (41.89 ± 8.52 &mgr;M, P < 0.05), and an increased H2S level in the plasma was observed in PDR group (60.49 ± 11.14 &mgr;M, P < 0.001), when compared with that in normal controls (49.67 ± 9.72 &mgr;M). There was no difference in plasma H2S level between patients with nonproliferative DR (54.13 ± 8.61 &mgr;M) and normal controls. In the vitreous body, H2S levels in PDR group were significantly higher (76.80 ± 24.08 &mgr;M, P < 0.001) than that in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment group (24.37 ± 11.25 &mgr;M). Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in plasma from patients with diabetes were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than that in normal controls. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the vitreous body from diabetic patients with PDR were significantly higher (885.61 ± 190.41 pg/mL, P < 0.001) than that from patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (89.98 ± 19.56 pg/mL). Seven days after an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, a significantly decreased H2S level (55.58 ± 7.20 &mgr;M, P < 0.05) was observed in the vitreous body in patients with PDR when compared with that (75.07 ± 12.95 &mgr;M) in the vitreous body collected just before intravitreal injection. Conclusion: These results indicated that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor may downregulate the H2S level in the vitreous body, and H2S may play a role in the development of DR. Hydrogen sulfide may be a novel target for the therapy of DR.
Optic radiation tractography integrated into simulated treatment planning for Gamma Knife surgery.

OBJECT No definitive method of preventing visual field deficits after stereotactic radiosurgery for lesions near the optic radiation (OR) has been available so far. The authors report the results of integrating OR tractography based on diffusion tensor (DT) magnetic resonance imaging into simulated treatment planning for Gamma Knife surgery (GKS). METHODS Data from imaging studies performed in 10 patients who underwent GKS for treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) located adjacent to the OR were used for the simulated treatment planning. Diffusion tensor images performed without the patient's head being secured by a stereotactic frame were used for DT tractography, and the OR was visualized by means of software developed by the authors. Data from stereotactic 3D imaging studies performed after frame fixation were coregistered with the data from DT tractography. The combined images were transferred to a GKS treatment-planning workstation. Delivered doses and distances between the treated lesions and the OR were analyzed and correlated with posttreatment neurological changes. RESULTS In patients presenting with migraine with visual aura or occipital lobe epilepsy, the OR was located within 11 mm from AVMs. In a patient who developed new quadrantanopia after GKS, the OR had received 32 Gy. A maximum dose to the OR of less than 12 Gy did not cause new visual field deficits. A maximum dose to the OR of 8 Gy or more was significantly related to neurological change (p < 0.05), including visual field deficits and development or improvement of migraine. CONCLUSIONS Integration of OR tractography into GKS represents a promising tool for preventing GKS-induced visual disturbances and headaches. Single-session irradiation at a dose of 8 Gy or more was associated with neurological change.
Application of compatible dual‐echo arteriovenography in stroke: Preliminary observations

Compatible dual‐echo arteriovenography (CODEA) is a recent MRI technique for simultaneous acquisition of an MR angiogram (MRA) and MR venogram (MRV) with image quality comparable to conventional single‐echo acquisitions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of CODEA in imaging patients with chronic stroke and to test the utility of a new image representation technique (“enhanced maximum intensity projection [MIP]") based on tissue segmentation, intensity inversion, and vessel enhancement filtering) for MRV. Arterial and venous abnormalities associated with stroke were delineated on MRA and MRV acquired simultaneously with the CODEA technique. CODEA MRV displayed with the enhanced MIP technique facilitated the visualization of the overall venous structures in 3D. Reduced venous vascularity was detected in the regions of arterial occlusion compared to the contralateral normal brain regions. The CODEA technique along with the enhanced MIP technique may be valuable, particularly in clinical applications that require efficient MRA/MRV imaging because of limited scan time such as in acute stroke. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 152–156, 2013
On the Radiation Tolerance of SiGe HBT and CMOS-Based Phase Shifters for Space-Based, Phased-Array Antenna Systems

We report the first irradiation results on high-frequency SiGe HBT and CMOS phase shifters for space-based, phased-array antennas used in radar or wireless communication systems. Both phase shifter circuits remain functional with acceptable dc and RF performance up to multi-Mrad proton exposure, and are thus suitable for many orbital applications. In addition, simulation results probing the limits of phase shifter performance in a radiation environment are presented. These results show that both CMOS and SiGe HBT based phase shifters can be used for space-based applications without any specific radiation hardening techniques.
Multimedia Forensic Techniques for Acquisition Device Identification and Digital Image Authentication

Multimedia forensics can be defined as the science that tries, by only analysing a particular digital asset, to give an assessment on such a content and to extract information that can be useful to address and support an investigation linked to the scene represented in that specific digital document. The basic idea behind multimedia forensics relies on the observation that both the acquisition process and any post-processing operation leave a distinctive imprint on the data, as a sort of digital fingerprint. The analysis of such a fingerprint may permit to determine image/video origin and to establish digital content authenticity. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-836-9.ch006
A Simple Genetic Algorithm using Sequential Constructive Crossover for the Quadratic Assignment Problem

Since crossover operator plays a vital role in genetic algorithms (GAs), several crossover operators have been proposed for the travelling salesman problem, which are then modified for the quadratic assignment problem (QAP). In this paper, we modify the sequential constructive crossover (SCX) operator for a simple GA to find heuristic solution to the QAP. Efficiency of the proposed GA using SCX is tested on some benchmark QAPLIB instances and then compared with GAs using other existing crossover operators.
A comparison of adiabatic logic as a countermeasures against power analysis attacks

This paper investigates the possibility of using adiabatic logic as a countermeasure against power analysis attacks. As the examples of adiabatic logic styles, we evaluate single- and dual-rail gates that are driven a single sinusoidal power clock. From simulation results, we conclude that adiabatic logic countermeasures, such as the single-rail logics, seem to be promising candidates, because they increase the resistance against power analysis attacks while at the same time lowering the power consumption of the pervasive device.
Localization accuracy and threshold network density for tracking sensor networks

Localization of target is one of the core issues in target tracking. This paper analyzes mathematical techniques of localization from the view point of error in position estimation. It is observed that error in position estimation reduces as the number of sensors making measurement to the target increase. Moreover, it is dependent on the positions of sensors making measurements to target node and on the error in measurement. The error in position estimation is least when the sensors making measurement to the node are well distributed in all the directions around the target node. It has been analyzed that after a particular number of well distributed nodes making measurements to the target node there is no significant reduction in position estimation error. Due to the random nature of deployment of sensors, saturation in accuracy is reached after around eight neighbors making measurement to the target. The paper makes a significant contribution by analyzing and establishing an optimum threshold bound for network density such that the accuracy in position estimation is maximum.
Recent Observations on the Dynamics of the Pulmonary Circulation.

HE essential function performed by the pulmonary circulation is to transfer blood from the right to the left rEi T Eventricle and thereby to bring it into intimate contact with alveolar air. Still another function has been assigned lirsesasese~ to the lesser circuit, namely the storage of blood in the pulmonary vessels. Blood stored in the lungs could be used as an emergency reserve to help fill the left ventricle when sudden increased demand in systemic blood flow is not paralleled by an increased venous return to the right heart and would, if need be, damp the effect of unequal discharge of both ventricles. For many decades physiologists have tried to decide whether blood flow, pressures and volume variations in the pulmonary circulation are the expression of the passive position taken by this circuit in the general phenomena of the vascular system or whether they are affected by changes in pulmonary vascular resistance regulated by an active vasomotor system. I shall attempt in this presentation to discuss, in a limited way, our present day knowledge of this problem in the light of recent physiologic and physiopathologic evidence. The two chief characteristics of the dynamics of the pulmonary circulation may best be stated as follows: (a) the blood flow through the lungs is identical to the blood flow through the entire systemic circulation, except for momentary differences, (b) the pressures in the right ventricle, pulmonary artery and capillaries are lower than in corresponding structures of the systemic circulation. From these characteristics several facts may be deduced. First: the energy developed by the right ventricle in performing its mechanical work, i.e., stroke volume times mean pressure in the pulmonary artery,
Primary structure of ribosomal proteins S3 and S7 from Manduca sexta

We have isolated from Manduca sexta full‐length cDNAs encoding proteins homologous to human ribosomal proteins S3 and S7. These are the first ribosomal protein sequences obtained from non‐Dipteran insects. M, sexta ribosomal protein S3 has a molecular mass of 26,715 Da. Ribosomal protein S7 has a mass 21,870 Da. Both are basic proteins, with abundant Lys and Arg residues that may interact with ribosomal RNA in the ribosome. Southern blot hybridization suggests the presence of single genes for both ribosomal proteins in the M. sexta genome. Alignments with other S3 and S7 sequences available in the database indicate regions of the ribosomal proteins that have been the most highly conserved in evolution and may point to important functional regions in the proteins. Ribosomal protein S3 appears to be more highly conserved than ribosomal protein S7. This may be due to greater constraints on the structure of S3 because of its dual functions in translation as a ribosomal protein and in DNA repair in the nucleus.
RNA Interference of LIN5 in Tomato Confirms Its Role in Controlling Brix Content, Uncovers the Influence of Sugars on the Levels of Fruit Hormones, and Demonstrates the Importance of Sucrose Cleavage for Normal Fruit Development and Fertility1[W][OA]

It has been previously demonstrated, utilizing intraspecific introgression lines, that Lycopersicum Invertase5 (LIN5), which encodes a cell wall invertase, controls total soluble solids content in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). The physiological role of this protein, however, has not yet been directly studied, since evaluation of data obtained from the introgression lines is complicated by the fact that they additionally harbor many other wild species alleles. To allow a more precise comparison, we generated transgenic tomato in which we silenced the expression of LIN5 using the RNA interference approach. The transformants were characterized by an altered flower and fruit morphology, displaying increased numbers of petals and sepals per flower, an increased rate of fruit abortion, and a reduction in fruit size. Evaluation of the mature fruit revealed that the transformants were characterized by a reduction of seed number per plant. Furthermore, detailed physiological analysis revealed that the transformants displayed aberrant pollen morphology and a reduction in the rate of pollen tube elongation. Metabolite profiling of ovaries and green and red fruit revealed that metabolic changes in the transformants were largely confined to sugar metabolism, whereas transcript and hormone profiling revealed broad changes both in the hormones themselves and in transcripts encoding their biosynthetic enzymes and response elements. These results are discussed in the context of current understanding of the role of sugar during the development of tomato fruit, with particular focus given to its impact on hormone levels and organ morphology.
Generation of an Adenovirus-Parvovirus Chimera with Enhanced Oncolytic Potential

ABSTRACT In this study, our goal was to generate a chimeric adenovirus-parvovirus (Ad-PV) vector that combines the high-titer and efficient gene transfer of adenovirus with the anticancer potential of rodent parvovirus. To this end, the entire oncolytic PV genome was inserted into a replication-defective E1- and E3-deleted Ad5 vector genome. As we found that parvoviral NS expression inhibited Ad-PV chimera production, we engineered the parvoviral P4 early promoter, which governs NS expression, by inserting into its sequence tetracycline operator elements. As a result of these modifications, P4-driven expression was blocked in the packaging T-REx-293 cells, which constitutively express the tetracycline repressor, allowing high-yield chimera production. The chimera effectively delivered the PV genome into cancer cells, from which fully infectious replication-competent parvovirus particles were generated. Remarkably, the Ad-PV chimera exerted stronger cytotoxic activities against various cancer cell lines, compared with the PV and Ad parental viruses, while being still innocuous to a panel of tested healthy primary human cells. This Ad-PV chimera represents a novel versatile anticancer agent which can be subjected to further genetic manipulations in order to reinforce its enhanced oncolytic capacity through arming with transgenes or retargeting into tumor cells.
Phylogeography and historical demography of the Italian treefrog, Hyla intermedia, reveals multiple refugia, population expansions and secondary contacts within peninsular Italy

We investigated the geographical patterns of genetic diversity in the Italian treefrog through sequence analysis of a mitochondrial cytochrome b gene fragment. Three main mitochondrial lineages were identified, distributed in northern, central and southern Italy, respectively. Their divergence appears indicative of a split time largely predating Late Pleistocene climatic oscillations, and syntopy between them was only observed in the geographically intermediate populations. The historical demographic reconstructions suggest that in both northern and central Italy, an expansion occurred during the last major glacial phase, when a vast widening of the lowland habitats followed the glaciation‐induced fall of the sea level. Instead, in southern Italy an expansion event likely followed the end of the last glaciation, although the inference of expansion appears less reliable for the southern clade than for the others. Within this geographical area, a sharp phylogeographic discontinuity separated peninsular from Sicilian populations, and the overall pattern of diversity suggests that the latter derived from a recent colonization of the island, probably through a Late Pleistocene land bridge. Phylogenetic, phylogeographic and historical demographic analyses thus concur in delineating a scenario of multiple refugia, with four groups of populations which survived the last glacial–interglacial cycles in at least three distinct refugia arranged along peninsular Italy, and have recently come into contact following range expansions. Therefore, these results support the hypothesis that a plethora of microevolutionary processes, rather than the prolonged stability of populations, were mainly responsible for shaping the patterns of diversity within this major biodiversity hotspot.
Discount rate hurts group buying? An empirical study from catering industry

With the development of online group buying, more and more experts are beginning to focus on this emerging e-commerce model. Based on the data from Dianping.com, our study examined the impact of discount rate on the consumers' group buying behavior, considering the star, the score, the location and other factors as control variables. Our results suggest that the discount rate has a significant negative impact on the consumers' group buying behavior, and selling price, the effective period, the number of restaurant and the locations will reduce this effect, and the score and the star will increase this effect. The findings of our research can help online group buying restaurants to make a reasonable price decision.
Effects of Toxocara larvae on brain cell survival by in vitro model assessment

SUMMARY Neuroinvasive larvae of the common dog and cat roundworms, Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, may cause severe neurological and neuropsychological disturbances in humans. Despite their pathogenic potential and high prevalence worldwide, little is known about their cell-specific influences and cerebral host–pathogen interactions in neurotoxocarosis. To address this discrepancy, a co-culture system of viable larvae with murine neuronal (CAD), oligodendrocytal (BO-1) and microglial (BV-2) cell lines has been established. Additionally, murine adult brain slices have been co-cultured with Toxocara larvae to consider complex organotypic cell–cell interplay. Cytotoxicity of larval presence was measured enzymatically and microscopically. Microscopic evaluation using trypan blue exclusion assay revealed to be less reliable and sensitive than the lactate dehydrogenase activity assay. Ultimately, even low numbers of both T. canis and T. cati larvae have impaired survival of differentiated CAD cells, which morphologically resemble primary neurons. In contrast, viability of oligodendrocytal and microglial cells as well as brain slices was not impaired by larval presence. Therefore, immune-mediated mechanisms or trauma by migrating larvae presumably induce the in vivo pathology rather than acute cytotoxic effects. Conclusively, the helminthic larvae co-culture system presented here is a valuable in vitro tool to study cell-specific effects of parasitic larvae and their products.
Interactivity and Branding: Public Political Communication as a Marketing Tool

Online platforms are increasingly used as a means to present brand characteristics to key target groups. Within a political context, websites can act as a shop front from which parties or candidates can advertise their policies and personnel. The increasing use of more interactive forms of communication informs visitors about the overall brand character of the host. This article explores the impact on branding of interactivity by analyzing the online activities undertaken by UK parties and their members elected to the House of Commons during the period 2007 to 2010. Through a process of creating narratives for each of the brands analyzed, based upon a content analysis of the websites and other online presences, this article identifies what characteristics the online shop front is designed to project. This article finds overall that interactivity within online environments is becoming one aspect of the branding of parties, though this is in limited forms and linked more to a marketing communication strategy than seeking to involve or understand site visitors. Members of Parliament who use social networking sites or weblogs, in contrast, have a developed i-branding strategy that enables them to present a strongly interactive brand personality to visitors to their online presences, offering impressions of them as accessible and effective representatives.