Implementation of homomorphic encryption technique

Fully homomorphic encryption has long been viewed as cryptography’s prized ”holy grail” amazingly helpful yet rather subtle. Starting from the breakthrough invention of FHE in 2009 by Craig Gentry, numerous schemes are presented then by various authors following the Gentry’s blueprint. We discuss the basic homomorphic encryption given by the DGHV over the integers. It is modification of the Gentry’s scheme which is based on the ideal lattices. The main idea of the DGHV scheme is its simplicity for the arithmetic operations. Our plan is to reduce the size of the public key which ultimately reduces the space complexity of the algorithm. We then further introduces the concept of the approximate common divisor problem on the DGHV scheme. We propose the GACD attack over the modulus switching and public key compression technique of DGHV scheme. The overall contribution of this work is analysis, design and performance of the scheme

Atmospheric Cold Plasma Interactions With Microbiological Risks In Fresh Food Processing

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is a novel emerging non-thermal technology that has attracted attention as a decontamination tool in several industrial, food and healthcare sectors. This study investigated the anti-microbial efficacy of ACP against microbiological risks associated with fresh foods. Treatment was performed using in-package ‘dry’ ACP technology and plasma functionalised liquid to decontaminate microorganisms, exploring the responses to real and challenging microbiological risks pertinent to both fresh foods themselves as well as the effluents generated from food processing industry. A range of critical control process parameters were investigated with respect to key pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms commonly implicated in the food environment. The inactivation efficacy of ACP against all applied bacterial strains was depended on applied voltage, treatment time and post treatment storage time (PTST). Greater inactivation was obtained at 80 kV with 24 h of PTST providing greater interaction between the bacteria and the reactive species. Bacterial biofilms were significantly susceptible to ACP. Viable and metabolic active cells in mono and dual biofilms were inactivated within short treatment time. Different inactivation rate was observed, depending on physiological state of the bacteria (planktonic or biofilms, mono or mixed culture). An extended time was required to reduce the challenge mixed culture biofilm formed on lettuce at environmental stress conditions. The study demonstrated that produce storage conditions, such as temperature and storage time had interactive effects on bacterial proliferation, stress response and susceptibility to the ACP treatment, highlighting the importance of preventive measures as key factors for the assurance of microbiological safety of fresh produce. Further, to ascertain the effect of stress conditions on ACP’s bacterial inactivation efficacy, L. monocytogenes and its knockout mutants associated with stress were treated with sub-lethal stress conditions. The gene expression of stress associated genes were significantly increased after 1 min treatment, while long treatment time reduced the gene expression and some cases down-regulated prfA and gadD3 gene expression. By comparing the response of mutants under ACP exposure to key processing parameters, the experimental results presented here provide a baseline for understanding the bacterial genetic response and resistance to plasma stress and offers promising insights for optimizing ACP applications. The impact of the ACP technology on model food surface and wash-water generated from fresh produce processing was also investigated. The ACP treatment reduced microbial load showing similar efficacy as chlorine, providing further advantage of continuously treating the lettuce wash water. Micro-bubbling along with agitation assisted bacterial detachment and distribution of reactive species, thus increasing bacterial inactivation efficacy from fresh produce and wash water. Liquid media complexity was explored as a factor in cold plasma decontamination efficacy for microbiologically safe effluents from food processing. The high nutritive components in the model effluents exerted a protective effect during treatment, showing higher inactivation in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) than in nutrient rich wastewater effluents. ACP was effective to inactivate principle indicator bacteria (mono and mixed culture planktonic bacteria and spores) from model dairy and meat wastewaters. This study also investigated the eco-toxicological impact of cold plasma treatment of the model wastewater using a range of aquatic bioassays. Differing sensitivities were observed to ACP treated effluents across the different test bio-assays; with greater sensitivity retained to plasma treated meat effluent than dairy effluent. The toxic effects were dependent on concentration and treatment time of the ACP treated effluents. ACP shows potential as an efficient decontamination approach against bacteria in their most resistant, biofilm or spore form associated with complex and nutritious food products during food production to wastewaters generated by the food industries

Impact of anti-viral immunity on neural stem/progenitor cell activity and implications for CNS development

Viral infection and inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) can cause neuropathology, particularly in the prenatal and neonatal stages. Severe damage to the CNS may result from cytopathic effects of viral infection or from the immune response that may lyse virally-infected cells or release inflammatory mediators to mediate viral clearance. Neural stem/progenitor cells (NPSCs) are multipotent cells in the CNS that are often disrupted by neurotropic viral infections. They may be directly infected by the virus or respond to inflammatory cytokines released from resident as well as infiltrating immune cells. This bystander effect may affect NSPC differentiation and proliferation depending on the milieu of inflammatory mediators. Interferon gamma (IFN), a potent antiviral cytokine required for the control and clearance of many CNS infections, can differentially affect cell survival and cell cycle progression depending upon the cell type and the profile of activated intracellular signaling molecules. Here, we show that IFN inhibits proliferation of primary NSPCs through dephosphorylation of the tumor suppressor Retinoblastoma protein (pRb), which is dependent on activation of Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription-1 (STAT1) signaling pathways. We observed inhibition of proliferation in wild type NSPCs (WT/NSPCs) as well as a decrease in neurosphere growth. IFN restricted cell cycle progression by inhibiting the G1- to S-phase transition. Cell cycle restriction was associated with decreases in the G1–phase specific cyclin E/CDK2 proteins and in pRb phosphorylation at serine 795 (S795). Together, these results indicate that the NSPC cell cycle was restricted in the late G1-phase. In STAT1-deficient (STAT1-KO) NSPCs, the effects of IFN on NSPC proliferation were lost, demonstrating that IFN signaling is STAT1-dependent. These data define a mechanism by which IFN could contribute to a reduction in NSPC proliferation in inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, this was the first study to implicate the pRb protein in mediating anti-proliferative effects of IFN on NSPCs. The cellular tropism of neurotropic viruses varies, with NSPCs being targeted by some viruses and spared by others. During a viral infection, microglia are typically the first immune cells to become activated in the brain. Microglia may contribute to the anti-viral program generated against the virus and/or alter other neural cells through the release of inflammatory mediators. Evidence in neonatal brains suggest that microglia can also influence NSPC numbers and differentiation under basal conditions. However, whether microglia affect NSPCs during an anti-viral immune response is an outstanding question. To evaluate the effects of microglial activation on NSPCs, we used a mouse model for measles virus (MV) infection in neurons. In this model, MV infection is restricted to mature CNS neurons expressing the human isoform of CD46, a receptor for MV. NSPCs and microglia are spared from infection. In order to examine the interactions between infected neurons, microglia, and NSPCs, primary microglia were co-cultured with MV-infected CD46+ neurons and the conditioned medium was used to treat primary NSPCs in culture. We found that factors released from the infected neuron/microglia co-cultures increased BrdU-incorporation and neuronal differentiation in NSPCs. Thus, even though the NSPCs are not infected in this model, the cells respond by generating young neurons that could serve as potential replacements for the mature neurons damaged by the virus. These studies provide a novel model system for identifying the signals that microglia use to communicate between infected neurons and responding NSPCs

Factors influencing the adoption of smart wearable devices

This study aims to examine the factors and issues in adoption of smart wearable devices. Wearable devices have many functions to offer which make them very useful in our daily lives. However, factors influencing the adoption of these devices are not well understood. This research explores the inhibiting and contributing factors influencing the adoption of wearable devices by employing the laddering approach. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews using the laddering technique in order to understand these factors. Wearable devices that were examined include the Smart Glass (Google Glass) and the Smart Watch (Sony Smart Watch 3). After the participants had the opportunity to try out these two devices, the factors that are most important to them in deciding whether to adopt or not to adopt these devices were laddered. The use of the laddering technique with the Means-End Chain approach not only offers a greater understanding of the factors influencing the adoption of wearable devices, but also reveal the relationships among these factors and any meaningful associations with self (i.e., the user). This research has advanced our understanding on the adoption of wearable devices and provide some insights into the key design criteria to better fit users\u27 needs --Abstract, page iii

Embracing the views of those who matter the most: an approach towards a more sustainable recreational program for older adults

Introduction: With age, older adults may face increasing challenges to community recreational participation. This is usually not for the lack of programming, rather, it may be the result of older adults not finding the programming to be as meaningful. Among other issues, there may be little to no opportunity for self-determination (defined as, having a perceived sense of control over one’s environment), which has been shown to be a critical factor for successful aging. Older adults are usually not at the center of the process; programs are instead primarily driven by the needs of the organization. Community recreational facilities, such as senior centers and the YMCA (Y) aiming to build healthy communities, can alter their approach to include older adults in the program development and evaluation process. The present study implemented a community engagement approach to empower older adult participants of the 55+ Day Program at the Bostwick Y and sought to better understand their perspective of the programming, along with the perspective of the service providers for determination of feasibility. The Y may use this feedback to create a more meaningful and sustainable program going forward. Methods: Since mixed-methods were employed this helped to obtain a well-rounded and accurate perspective of 55+ Day. This included, conducting questionnaires (n=30) and a focus group (n=12) with the older adult participants, as well as interviews with the facility staff (n=2). Results and Discussion: Although both participants and staff largely appreciated the programming on offer, they also identified improvements that can be made to the program structure, scheduling, and adaptability, to further enhance the experience of 55+ Day for the participants. Moving forward, the Y, and other community facilities can directly engage both participants and staff in the development of the programming and ensure a more efficient use of time and resources

Identification of a first in-class integrin enhancing small molecule for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a catastrophic X-linked neuromuscular disease that affects 1 in every 5000 males. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene which results in the loss of dystrophin protein, an essential link between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton. This leads to weakened sarcolemmal integrity in the muscle fibers thereby making them susceptible to damage. There is currently no cure for DMD and limited treatment options exist for patients. The α7β1 integrin is an additional laminin-binding heterodimeric protein at the sarcolemma that is elevated in the skeletal muscle of DMD patients and the mdx mouse model. Previous pharmacological and transgenic mouse studies have demonstrated that the α7β1 integrin is a major modifier of disease progression in mouse as well as the Golden retriever dog models of muscular dystrophy. Therefore, we hypothesized that drugs that promote α7β1 integrin expression in muscle could be therapeutic in the treatment of DMD. Utilizing a high-throughput drug discovery chemical screen, we identified SU9516, an adenosine mimetic, as an enhancer of ITGA7 expression, the gene encoding integrin α7. We found SU9516 increased α7B integrin protein levels in C2C12 and immortalized human DMD myotubes. Preclinical studies with oral delivery of 5mg/kg/day SU9516 treatments in the mdx mouse model ameliorated the dystrophic pathology and improved muscle force and function at 10 weeks of age. This thesis presents the therapeutic benefits of a first in-class integrin enhancing small molecule therapeutic SU9516, for the treatment of DMD

Alkaline Exospheres of Exoplanet Systems: Evaporative Transmission Spectra

Hydrostatic equilibrium is an excellent approximation for the dense layers of planetary atmospheres where it has been canonically used to interpret transmission spectra of exoplanets. Here we exploit the ability of high-resolution spectrographs to probe tenuous layers of sodium and potassium gas due to their formidable absorption cross-sections. We present an atmosphere-exosphere degeneracy between optically thick and optically thin mediums, raising the question of whether hydrostatic equilibrium is appropriate for Na I lines observed at exoplanets. To this end we simulate three non-hydrostatic, evaporative, density profiles: (i) escaping, (ii) exomoon, and (iii) torus to examine their imprint on an alkaline exosphere in transmission. By analyzing an evaporative curve of growth we find that equivalent widths of $W_{\mathrm{Na D2}} \sim 1- 10$ mA are naturally driven by evaporation rates $\sim 10^3 - 10^5$ kg/s of pure atomic Na. To break the degeneracy between atmospheric and exospheric absorption, we suggest that if the line ratio is $\mathrm{D2/D1} \gtrsim 1.2$ the gas is optically thin on average and roughly indicating a non-hydrostatic structure of the atmosphere/exosphere. We show this is the case for Na I observations at hot Jupiters WASP-49b and HD189733b and also simulate their K I spectra. Lastly, motivated by the slew of metal detections at ultra-hot Jupiters, we suggest a toroidal atmosphere at WASP-76b and WASP-121b is consistent with the Na I data at present.Comment: 23 pages, 21 figures, accepted by MNRA

On The Gaussian-Core Vortex Lattice Model for The Analysis of Wind Farm Flow Dynamics

Wind power science has seen tremendous development and growth over the last 40 years. Advancements in design, manufacturing, installation, and operation of wind turbines have enabled the commercial deployment of wind power generation systems. These have been due, in a large part, to the expertise in the simulation and modeling of individual wind turbines. The new generation of wind energy systems calls for a need to accurately predict and model the entire wind farm, and not just individual turbines. The commercial deployment of these wind farms depends on model\u27s ability to accurately capture the different physics involved, each at its respective scale, and then make accurate predictions of acceptable fidelity at a manageable computational cost. The work presented in this dissertation extends the capabilities of a multi-physics suite to provide the capability to simulate the wakes of multiple turbines in a wind farm. By the implementation of a novel vortex lattice model, it enables the effective representation of the complex vortex wake dynamics of the turbines in a farm subject to transient inflow conditions. It explores the effect of different types of blades on the turbine wake. The goal is to obtain an accurate representation of the turbine-to-turbine wake interaction in a wind farm, which is demonstrated by simulations of two, four, nine and twenty turbine wind farms