Can you find the one for me? Privacy-Preserving Matchmaking via Threshold PSI

Private set-intersection (PSI) allows a client to only learn the intersection between his/her set $C$ and the set $S$ of another party, while this latter party learns nothing. We aim to enhance PSI in different dimensions, motivated by the use cases of increasingly popular online matchmaking --- Meeting ``the one\u27\u27 who possesses \emph{all} desired qualities and \emph{free from any} undesirable attributes may be a bit idealistic. In this paper, we realize \emph{over-} (resp. \emph{below-}) threshold PSI, such that the client learns the intersection (or other auxiliary private data) only when $|C \cap S| > t$ (resp. $\leq t$). The threshold corresponds to tunable criteria for (mis)matching, without marking all possible attributes as desired or not. In other words, the matching criteria are in a succinct form and the matching computation does not exhaust the whole universe of attributes. To the best of our knowledge, our constructions are the very first solution for these two open problems posed by Bradley~\etal (SCN~\u2716) and Zhao and Chow (PoPETS~\u2717), without resorting to the asymptotically less efficient generic approach from garbled circuits. Moreover, we consider an ``outsourced\u27\u27 setting with a service provider coordinating the PSI execution, instead of having two strangers to be online simultaneously for running a highly-interactive PSI directly with each other. Outsourcing our protocols are arguably optimal --- the two users perform $O(|C|)$ and $O(1)$ decryptions, for unlocking the private set $C$ and the outcome of matching

Reducing the standard deviation in multiple-assay experiments where the variation matters but the absolute value does not

You measure the value of a quantity x for a number of systems (cells, molecules, people, chunks of metal, DNA vectors, etc.). You repeat the whole set of measures in different occasions or assays, which you try to design as equal to one another as possible. Despite the effort, you find that the results are too different from one assay to another. As a consequence, some systems' averages present standard deviations that are too large to render the results statistically significant. In this work, we present a novel correction method of very low mathematical and numerical complexity that can reduce the standard deviation in your results and increase their statistical significance as long as two conditions are met: inter-system variations of x matter to you but its absolute value does not, and the different assays display a similar tendency in the values of x; in other words, the results corresponding to different assays present high linear correlation. We demonstrate the improvement that this method brings about on a real cell biology experiment, but the method can be applied to any problem that conforms to the described structure and requirements, in any quantitative scientific field that has to deal with data subject to uncertainty.Comment: Supplementary material at http://bit.ly/14I718

Do you ever feel confused about where to start once you get to the library? : A catalog user manual

In the competition to get the best materials for your course work or independent research, the UNL Libraries will be one of your most valuable resources. We have a wide variety of materials and services to offer, but we can\u27t grab you and shove them under your nose. It would cause talk. We do suggest, however, that you read this pamphlet. By applying what it tells you to your own library needs, you can quickly become a more effective and confident library user, one who can efficiently determine whether we have the materials you need and how to find them on the shelf. But remember, if you are confused by the catalog or if you don\u27t find what you want, the staff at the Information Desk will be delighted to help you. Don\u27t hesitate to interrupt them if they are reading--it\u27s just something they do while they are waiting for you to ask a question

Lifting A Weight Off My Shoulders

It’s a familiar scene for anyone who’s entered the Jaeger Center. You walk past the entrance desk, past the rock wall, the blue mats with some students stretching; there, the cardio machines, some soccer players cycling on the bikes, some girls on the elliptical machines and scattered on the treadmills, a guy on the stairmaster, a teacher jogging. Finally, you reach the end, the huge space filled with free weights, barbells, a leg press machine, and some pull up bars. You pay attention less to the selection of weights then who occupies this space: men, lots of them. At any time of day or night, you can find several male students working out here. What’s much less common, one might even say rare, is to see women in this space. Certainly, there are some of us, particularly in groups or entering with a sports team. But the ratio is uneven, to say the least. [excerpt

The Landscape of Salesforce for Nonprofits: A Report on the Current Marketplace for Apps

Do you use Salesforce as a Constituent Relationship Management database at your organization, or are you considering it? Since it launched in 1999, more than 20,000 nonprofits have employed the cloud-based system, which is made available to them for free through the philanthropic Salesforce Foundation. What's the catch? Making such a powerful system work for the particular needs of a nonprofit isn't always straightforward. This report can tell you everything you need to know.What's in it? To learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of Salesforce, we interviewed nine prominent consultants specializing in implementing Salesforce for nonprofits along with several members of the Salesforce.com Foundation about what the platform does well, and what you'll want to add to it to suit your needs. We evaluated some of the constituent management packages built on top of Salesforce, including the Salesforce Foundation's Nonprofit Starter Pack, which is aimed at turning the sales automation platform into a tool for nonprofits. We also took a look at the universe of add-ons to the base Salesforce platform -- called "apps" because of Salesforce's online marketplace, the App Exchange -- to find out which might be useful to support a nonprofit's processes.The goal for this report was to break down misconceptions about the tool and to collect disparate information in one place to help you make informed decisions. Whether you're already using Salesforce, are thinking about adopting it, or have yet to even consider it, there's information here for you.What's more, we've included a directory of consultants or firms with experience working with nonprofits to implement Salesforce and the additional App Exchange modules that we cover in this report to make it easier for you to find the help you'll need

Holiness And Justice

guess we\u27d all like to find a magic formula, secret recipe that would give us instant spiritual growth or spiritual maturity and understanding in three easy lessons. I\u27ve seen materials in bookstores that promise to do that for us, but I\u27ve never seen any of them deliver. But tonight I have for you good news. I can give you a quick way, a shortcut to spiritual growth and deeper understanding. And here it is. You want to grow quickly, go through the scripture, and every time that you find a passage of scripture that you do not understand, Mark it with a question mark, and then go back and try to find out what it means. So that way you focus your attention on what you don\u27t know. But that\u27s only one part of the recipe. The most important part of the recipe is this. Go through the Bible. And every time you find something in scripture that you don\u27t like, put a star next to it

Kids Count Alaska 2008

We’re pleased to announce that Kids Count Alaska is part of a new site, the Kids Count Data Center (datacenter.kidscount.org). Developed by the KIDS COUNT national program, the site gives easy access to data on children and teenagers for every state and hundreds of cities and counties across the country. For Alaska, you can select indicators for each of the state’s seven regions and create your own maps, trend lines, and charts. There are also maps and graphs you can put on your Web site or blog. You can go directly to that national site, or you can link from our Web site (www.kidscount.alaska.edu). We hope you’ll find the new data and features helpful. This book and all previous data books are available on our Web site, and each data book is divided into sections for faster downloading. Also on our site is a link to the most recent national KIDS COUNT data book, as well as to other publications and reports. About This Year’s Book Alaska is celebrating 50 years as a state in 2009—and as part of the celebration, we decided to illustrate this year’s data book with historic photos of Alaska’s children before statehood. We also used information from the U.S. Census Bureau to take a broad look at how conditions have changed for Alaska’s children since statehood. In the Highlights at the end of this section (pages 7 to 10) you’ll find some comparisons of the social and economic wellbeing of children in Alaska in 1959 and today. What is Kids Count Alaska? Kids Count Alaska is part of a nationwide program, sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, to collect and publicize information about children’s health, safety, and economic status. We pull together information from many sources and present it all in one place. We hope this book gives Alaskans a broad picture of how the state’s children are doing and provides parents, policymakers, and others interested in the welfare of children with information they need to improve life for children and families. Our goals are: • Distributing information about the status of Alaska’s children • Creating an informed public, motivated to help children • Comparing the status of children in Alaska with children nationwide, and presenting additional Alaska indicators (including regional breakdowns) when possibleAnnie E. Casey FoundationIntroduction / Infancy / Economic Well-Being / Education / Children in Danger / Juvenile Justic

Letter Written byEdith Speert to Victor A. Speert Dated October 21, 1944

[Transcription begins] Saturday 10/21/44 Sweetheart— This evening I thought I would write you a lengthy letter, but I started “fixing up” an old scrapbook, which I had, with pictures dating from 1924 – 1938 & forgot all about the time. Forgive me, dearest?—I’ll make it up tomorrow. I received 4 V-mail letters from you today. The last one was dated “10/19/44 at sea.” I’m looking forward to receiving your “air mails” shortly! In answer to the queries contained in your V-mails, as soon as you start receiving my mail, you’ll find the answers! I’ll send you some “clippings” on the fire! I don’t believe I know how to really describe the tragedy. We had 2 children out of nursery school because of the disaster. Had this afternoon off. Shopped for a few things in town, but, spent a great deal of my time in the library looking up plays for my dramatics group on Fri. night. Since I’m home, I’ve rummaged our house for “The Education of Hyman Kaplan,” in play form & I can’t find it. Nuts!! Fixed an avocado cocktail for Uk’s, Mom’s & my dinner this evening. It was enjoyed by all!! Aunt Sadie met your Mom & Sophie in town today. You know, your Mom & my aunt “hit it off” as they both console each other as martyrs! Ukie got a letter and a very cute snapshot from Fred today. He is a darling boy! Oh yes—I spoke to Amy today—she’s leaving for Des Moines, Iowa for a few days & when she comes back, we’ll get together again! Called Crile Hospital to see if some servicemen wouldn’t like Thanksgiving at the house. Special Service informed me that most of the boys are from northern Ohio & would therefore go home on a pass during the holidays. Also, the boys prefer big affairs to small ones, because they feel very self-conscious in a small group. This has discouraged me, but nevertheless, I’ll try to have Amy get some WACs & maybe we could interest some of the boys in a picnic! Anyhow, it’s worth a try! I adore you, my sweetheart, & so awfully glad to hear that you feel the same way! Bubsie, Dr. Fuerst told Mom that the use of Benzenderine may cause a weak heart; but I still intend to see Dr. Seigel & if he says “okay” I’ll try it. Sidney Hill is quite expensive & they say that you leave there with a tremendous appetite & of course my appetite has made me what I am. It’s midnite so I think I’ll say “good-night” my love—I’ll see you in my dreams. Ever & Ever, Edith P. S.—I’m not quizzing you on anything—I know you’ll write what you can & May. E. [Transcription ends