Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Encryption: Constructions and Lower Bounds

Functional Encryption: Constructions and Lower Bounds Sergey Gorbunov Master of Science Graduate Department of Computer Science University of Toronto 2012 Functional encryption is an emerging paradigm for public-key encryption that enables finegrained control of access to encrypted data. Given a secret key for a circuit C and an encryption of an input message x, a user should be able to learn the output C(x), but nothing else about the input x. Moreover, security should hold against collusions amongst “key holders”, namely, a collusion of users that hold secret keys for circuits C1, . , Cq and an encryption of x should be able to learn C1(x), . , Cq(x), but nothing else about x. In this work, we address the question of constructing functional encryption for all polynomial-size circuits. Our main contributions are as follows: • We show that a general functional encryption for all circuits for unbounded collusions is impossible, under a weak simulation-based security definition. Furthermore, we show that the size of the ciphertext in a functional encryption scheme must grow with the number of collusions. • We construct a functional encryption scheme secure against an a-priori bounded polynomial number of collusions for all polynomial-size circuits. Our constructions require only semantically secure public-key encryption schemes and pseudorandom generators computable by small-depth circuits. The constructions are secure under a strong adaptive simulation-based security notion.
Determination of Battery Storage Capacity in Energy Buffer for Wind Farm

Design of a battery energy storage system (BESS) in a buffer scheme is examined for the purpose of attenuating the effects of unsteady input power from wind farms. The design problem is formulated as maximization of an objective function that measures the economic benefit obtainable from the dispatched power from the wind farm against the cost of the BESS. Solution to the problem results in the determination of the capacity of the BESS to ensure constant dispatched power to the connected grid, while the voltage level across the dc-link of the buffer is kept within preset limits. A computational procedure to determine the BESS capacity and the evaluation of the dc voltage is shown. Illustrative examples using the proposed design method are included.
Glycerol 3-phosphate and lactate as indicators of the cerebral cytoplasmic redox state in severe and mild hypoxia respectively: a 13C- and 31P-n.m.r. study.

The incorporation of 13C from [1-13C]glucose and [2-13C]acetate into selected intermediary metabolites in extracts prepared from incubated cerebral-cortex slices was monitored by using 13C-n.m. r. spectroscopy under conditions of mild and severe hypoxia. Mild hypoxia had little effect on labelling of tricarboxylic-acid-cycle-related amino acids [glutamate, glutamine and gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA)], although the pool sizes of glutamate and glutamine decreased. There were large increases in the labelling of lactate and of alanine, and an increase in the pool size of lactate. In severe hypoxia, the resonances of lactate and alanine remained high, whereas those of the other intermediates decreased greatly. The pool size of GABA increased. Calculation of percentage 13C enrichments and total label incorporated showed that lactate was not further affected by severe hypoxia, but the total label in alanine and its pool size were further increased. A new resonance appeared in the phosphomonoester region of the 13C-n.m. r. spectrum only in severe hypoxia. This was unambiguously assigned to glycerol 3-phosphate from a combination of 31P- and 13C-n.m. r. spectroscopy. The percentage 13C-enrichment was calculated from the 13C-n.m. r. spectrum, and the total label incorporated was measured by g.l. c. /m.s. The results are discussed in terms of the ability of lactate dehydrogenase to maintain normal levels of NADH in mild hypoxia, but not in severe hypoxia. The pyruvate which accumulates under the latter condition is channelled into alanine, and the increased NADH is reflected by the increase in glycerol 3-phosphate. We conclude that glycerol 3-phosphate and alanine may provide novel means of monitoring severe hypoxia, whereas lactate is a reliable indicator only of mild hypoxia.
Chemical Cross-Linking and Mass Spectrometry as Structure Determination Tools

Chemical cross-linking is becoming a valuable tool for the high-order structure determination of proteins and protein complexes. Cross-linking methodology is able to provide low-resolution structures when at least something is known already about the proteins under investigation. The suitability of top-down and bottom-up methodologies is discussed and further potential applications of chemical cross-linking of proteins, as well as combinations with other techniques such as hydrogen/deuterium exchange and molecular modeling, are suggested.
A Virtual Memory System Organization for Bit-Mapped Graphics Displays

Described is a display sub-system, designed for support of a very high speed rendering engine. It provides high-performance graphics to an environment that consists of a hierarchy of resizable windows. The concept of virtual memory has been applied with the organization of the virtual to physical address spaces having a unique mapping that fits the organization of a bit-mapped graphics memory display.
A Wearable Acceleration Sensor System for Gait Recognition

This paper addresses the problem of human recognition based on their gait acceleration signal characteristics produced by walking. A portable microprocessor-based data collection device was designed to measure the three-dimensional gait acceleration signals during human walking. The system consists of a tri-axial accelerometer, a MCU, 32 M bytes of RAM, and a data transfer module for data transfer. The device was fixed to the user's waist and three-dimensional acceleration signals were recorded at a sampling rate of 250 Hz. After completing the recording, data stored in the RAM were transferred to a personal computer for wavelet denoising, gait cycles dividing, and gait pattern extracting. Through the analysis in time domain and frequency domain, and using dynamic time warping to deal with the problems result from naturally occurring changes in walking speed, 1-nearest neighbor is used for individual identification. Experiments were performed on 21 subjects walking on their normal speed. The methods of gait analysis in time domain and frequency domain are applying, the equal error rate of 5.6% and 21.1% are achieved respectively. Our preliminary results indicate that it is possible to recognize users based on their gait acceleration.
A Multi-Microprocessor Traveling Wave Relay - Theory and Realization

an urban industrial area to display geographical distribution network diagrams on the street map on a color full-graphic CRT. The geographical display system displays the distribution network diagrams overlayed on the street map on a color fullgraphic CRT. The status of sectionalizing switches and sections can be displayed. Moreover, the system is provided with other functions such as enlarging, reducing and scrolling of display picture. Fig. 2 shows an example of the geographical distribution network diagram display.
Effects of varenicline on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference, locomotor stimulation, and sensitization.

BACKGROUND Varenicline, a partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, is a promising new drug for the treatment of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) dependence. Varenicline has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a smoking cessation therapeutic and has also been found to reduce EtOH consumption in humans and animal models of alcohol use. These studies examined the hypotheses that varenicline attenuates the stimulant and sensitizing effects of EtOH and reduces the motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues. The goal was to determine whether these effects of varenicline contribute to its pharmacotherapeutic effects for alcohol dependence. In addition, effects of varenicline on acute stimulation and/or on the acquisition of sensitization would suggest a role for nAChR involvement in these effects of EtOH. METHODS Dose-dependent effects of varenicline on the expression of EtOH-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), locomotor activation, and behavioral sensitization were examined. These measures model motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues, euphoric or stimulatory effects of EtOH, and EtOH-induced neuroadaptation. All studies used DBA/2J mice, an inbred strain with high sensitivity to these EtOH-related effects. RESULTS Varenicline did not significantly attenuate the expression of EtOH-induced CPP. Varenicline reduced locomotor activity and had the most pronounced effect in the presence of EtOH, with the largest effect on acute EtOH-induced locomotor stimulation and a trend for varenicline to attenuate the expression of EtOH-induced sensitization. CONCLUSIONS Because varenicline did not attenuate the expression of EtOH-induced CPP, it may not be effective at reducing the motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues. This outcome suggests that reductions in the motivational effects of EtOH-associated cues may not be involved in how varenicline reduces EtOH consumption. However, varenicline did have effects on locomotor behavior and significantly attenuated acute EtOH-induced locomotor stimulation. In humans who drink while taking varenicline, it might similarly reduce stimulant responses and have an impact on continued drinking. General sedative effects in such individuals should be carefully considered.
Auxiliary basis sets for grid-free density functional theory

Density functional theory (DFT) has gained popularity because it can frequently give accurate energies and geometries. The evaluation of DFT integrals in a fully analytical manner is generally impossible; thus, most implementations use numerical quadrature over grid points. The grid-free approaches were developed as a viable alternative based upon the resolution of the identity (RI). Of particular concern is the convergence of the RI with respect to basis set in the grid-free approach. Conventional atomic basis sets are inadequate for fitting the RI, particularly for gradient corrected functionals [J. Chem. Phys. 108, 9959 (1998)]. The focus of this work is on implementation of and selection of auxiliary basis sets. Auxiliary basis sets of varying sizes are studied and those with sufficient flexibility are found to adequately represent the RI.
The first clinical application of a "hands-on" robotic knee surgery system.

The performance of a novel "hands-on" robotic system for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is evaluated. An integrated robotic system for accurately machining the bone surfaces in TKR surgery is described. Details of the system, comprising an "active constraint" robot, called Acrobot, a "gross positioning" robot, and patient clamps, are provided. The intraoperative protocol and the preoperative, CT-based, planning system are also described. A number of anatomical registration and cutting trials, using plastic bones, are described, followed by results from two preliminary clinical trials, which demonstrate the accuracy achieved in the anatomical registration. Finally, the first clinical trial is described, in which the results of the anatomical registration and bone cutting are seen to be of high quality. The Acrobot system has been successfully used to accurately register and cut the knee bones in TKR surgery. This demonstrates the great potential of a "hands-on" robot for improving accuracy and increasing safety in surgery.
Increasing microbiological confirmation and changing epidemiology of meningococcal disease on Merseyside, England.

OBJECTIVES To determine, for the last 5 years in children on Merseyside with clinical meningococcal disease (MCD), the impact on diagnostic yield of newer bacteriologic methods; bacterial antigen detection (AD) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS Prospective data collection at Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital over two epochs: 1 September 1992 to 30 April 1994 (epoch A, n = 126) and 17 November 1997 to 15 September 1998 (epoch B, n = 85). RESULTS Epoch A was compared with epoch B. Diagnosis was confirmed by detection of meningococci in 78 of 126 (61.9%) versus 64 of 85 (75.3%, P = 0.04), but with a significantly lower rate of positive blood and cerebrospinal fluid culture in the later epoch. The proportion of cases receiving penicillin pretreatment was unchanged at 32%, but the proportion undergoing lumbar puncture decreased significantly. Median ages were higher in epoch B: 1.7 years versus 2.49 years (P = 0.013, Mann-Whitney). There was a significant increase in the proportion of cases due to serogroup C (14/78 (18%) versus 30/64 (46.9%), P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Culture detection of meningococci from children with MCD has reduced, as less lumbar punctures are done. However, improved diagnosis by PCR and AD has increased microbiological confirmation overall. Serogroup C disease and the median age of cases continue to rise.
DOSIMETRIC INFLUENCE OF UTERUS POSITION IN CERVIX CANCER HIGH-DOSE-RATE BRACHYTHERAPY

Brachytherapy is an integrating component for the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer. While most women present anteverted or intermediary position uterus, only 20–25% have retroverted uterus. We evaluated 418 high-dose-rate brachytherapy plans of patients diagnosed with biopsy proven cervical cancer. Urinary bladder and rectal points were identified on the orthogonal digital X-ray images according to ICRU Report no.38. The brachytherapy plans were divided according to uterus position into three groups, anteverted, intermediary and retroverted, respectively. The statistical analysis of the dosimetric data confirmed that uterus axis influences radiation doses received by the urinary bladder and rectum.
Strategies for Incorporating Professional Ethics Education in Graduate Medical Programs

Medicine and ethics have an historic and rich relationship dating back to the fourth century and the work of Greek physician Hippocrates, and later the work of Galen, who cautioned and instructed young physicians to be concerned and conscientious (Osler 1913). The classic admonishment popularly attributed to Galen “primum non nocere,” or “First, do no harm,” is still timely. The separate treatises on medicine and ethics, set down by these two scholars more than 2,000 years ago, are as relevant in today’s complex world of medicine, with its myriad laws, regulations, and “best practices,” as they were in ancient Greece. Goold and Stern (2006) are correct in making a strong scientific case for uniform medical ethics classroom instruction within medical residency programs. I would, however, take their proposals further and advocate that medical ethics training be included throughout all formal medical school training, and incorporate this feature of professional medical accountability into lifelong ethics continuing medical education requirements. Although professional ethics instruction cannot “make” someone ethical, what ethics training can do is to provide a foundation for principled, legal behavior characterized by sensitivity to unfolding ethical and moral dilemmas within the medical profession. It seems axiomatic that if medical students and residents are not instructed in medical ethics and health laws, they will be unlikely to learn their duties and obligations to the patient and to their profession. In my current professional life I teach Health Law and Ethics in a school of public health: the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center School of Rural Public Health. Often enrolled in my courses are medical students and residents who express surprise at the kinds of unethical conduct and legal problems that trap and entangle physicians. To get an idea of the magnitude of illegal and fraudulent (unethical) conduct occurring in healthcare, one need only to look at the Office of the Inspector General list of excluded and sanctioned providers. As of February 2006, more than 36,000 health providers have been excluded from participating in Medicare or Medicaid for fraudulent or other illegal conduct involving healthcare. Of these, 4,898 (7%) were physicians (MDs or DOs) who had engaged in behavior considered fraudulent or abusive.1 Considering that ethical and legal problems often result in suspension or loss of medical li-
Hedge Fund Forum Shopping

Hedge funds have been the subject of media attention in the United States (US) and around the world given the pronounced growth of the hedge fund sector in recent years and the comparative dearth of regulations faced by hedge fund managers. The first part of this paper provides an overview of the potential agency problems associated with managing a hedge fund, and associated rationales for hedge fund regulation. While hedge funds are hardly regulated in the US, there are nevertheless jurisdictions outside the US with different and sometimes more onerous sets of regulatory requirements. Examples of international differences in hedge fund regulation include minimum capitalization requirements, restrictions on the location of key service providers and different permissible distribution channels via private placements, banks, other regulated or non-regulated financial intermediaries, wrappers, investment managers and fund distribution companies. The second part of this paper provides an analysis of hedge fund strategies in the context of international differences in hedge fund regulation. Certain fund strategies have been characterized in the law and finance literature, as well we in popular media and public policy debates, as being inherently more risky and associated with more pronounced agency problems. For instance, managed futures, long/short and event driven strategies might be associated with greater risk and agency problems than market neutral equity strategies and various arbitrage strategies. At issue, therefore, is whether funds engage in forum shopping to select jurisdictions that potentially offer greater scope for agency problems associated with hedge fund management. The data examined offer little or no support for the view that hedge fund managers pursuing riskier strategies or strategies with potentially more pronounced agency problems systematically select jurisdictions with less stringent regulations. For the most part, fund strategies are not systematically and statistically related to different regulations observed in different jurisdictions. In fact, to the extent that there is evidence of forum shopping, it is such that funds pursuing riskier strategies or strategies with greater potential agency problems select jurisdictions with more stringent regulations. We may infer from the evidence that forum shopping by fund managers in relation to fund strategic focus is not consistent with a 'race to the bottom'. Rather, hedge fund managers appear to select jurisdictions that are in funds' investors' interests in order to facilitate capital raising by the hedge fund.
Adaptive second order sliding mode speed control of doubly fed induction generator wind turbines

Accurate control of the wind turbine at its optimal rotational speed for a given wind speed is required to extract maximum power from the wind turbine generator system in the absence of aerodynamic pitch control. Due to inherent wind turbine nonlinearities and unpredictable wind speed fluctuations, precise control is a difficult task to undertake. This paper presents a sliding mode speed controller for doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbines. The strategy uses sliding mode control theory based on adaptive twisting algorithm, to achieve accurate tracking under the wind turbine's nonlinear dynamics. As such, robustness to unpredictable wind uncertainties is achieved. Simulation results for different situations highlight the performance of the proposed controller under various wind speed operating conditions. A test platform is ongoing to validate the results.
The structure at the interface of Ni/Pd bilayer films with different deposition sequences estimated from molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular dynamics simulations of the formation process of Ni/Pd bilayer films were performed by employing the embedded atom method with high (10 eV) and low (0.1 eV) kinetic energies of incident atoms for two different crystal orientations: fcc [111] and fcc [100] of Ni or Pd substrate. The tendencies of the film formation process and the interdiffusion at the interface were similar in both the [111] and [100] cases. However, the strain at the interface of films on the [100] substrate was larger than that on the [111] substrate. At the case of Pd deposited on Ni [100], the Pd film grew with the [111] symmetry and partially observed Ni[100]-c(16/spl times/2) structure. The crystal orientation of Pd layer varied from the value of the strain in Ni [100] under layer. In the crystal orientation dependencies, the value of strain in the magnetic layer at interfaces derived from simulations corresponds well to the experimental value of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.
The microRNA156 and microRNA172 gene regulation cascades at post-germinative stages in Arabidopsis

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in developmental programmes of plants, including seed germination and post-germination. Here, we provide evidence that two different miRNA pathways, miR156 and miR172, interact during the post-germination stages in Arabidopsis. Mutant seedlings expressing miR156-resistant SQUAMOSA PROMOTER-BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE13 (mSPL13), which has silent mutations in the miR156 complementary sequence, over-accumulated SPL13 mRNA and exhibited a delay in seedling development. Microarray analysis indicated that SCHNARCHZAPFEN (SNZ), an AP2-like gene targeted by miR172, was down-regulated in these mutants. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and miRNA gel blot analyses showed that the MIR172 genes were up-regulated in mSPL13 mutants. These results suggest that the miRNA regulation cascades (miR156⊣SPL13 → miR172⊣SNZ) play a critical role during the post-germination developmental stages in Arabidopsis.