Functional Encryption in the Bounded Storage Models

Functional encryption is a powerful paradigm for public-key encryption which allows for controlled access to encrypted data. This primitive is generally impossible in the standard setting so we investigate possibilities in the bounded quantum storage model (BQSM) and the bounded classical storage model (BCSM). In these models, ciphertexts potentially disappear which nullifies impossibility results and allows us to obtain positive outcomes. Firstly, in the BQSM, we construct information-theoretically secure functional encryption with $\texttt{q}=O(\sqrt{\texttt{s}/\texttt{r}})$ where $\texttt{r}$ can be set to any value less than $\texttt{s}$. Here $\texttt{r}$ denotes the number of times that an adversary is restricted to $\texttt{s}$--qubits of quantum memory in the protocol and $\texttt{q}$ denotes the required quantum memory to run the protocol honestly. We then show that our scheme is optimal by proving that it is impossible to attain information-theoretically secure functional encryption with $\texttt{q} < \sqrt{\texttt{s}/\texttt{r}}$. However, by assuming the existence of post-quantum one-way functions, we can do far better and achieve functional encryption with classical keys and with $\texttt{q}=0$ and $\texttt{r}=1$. Secondly, in the BCSM, we construct $(O(\texttt{n}),\texttt{n}^2)$ functional encryption assuming the existence of $(\texttt{n},\texttt{n}^2)$ virtual weak grey-box obfuscation. Here, the pair $(\texttt{n},\texttt{n}^2)$ indicates the required memory to run honestly and the needed memory to break security, respectively. This memory gap is optimal and the assumption is minimal. In particular, we also construct $(O(\texttt{n}),\texttt{n}^2)$ virtual weak grey-box obfuscation assuming $(\texttt{n},\texttt{n}^2)$ functional encryption.Comment: 30 page

How to Sign Quantum Messages

Signing quantum messages has been shown to be impossible even under computational assumptions. We show that this result can be circumvented by relying on verification keys that change with time or that are large quantum states. Correspondingly, we give two new approaches to sign quantum information. The first approach assumes quantum-secure one-way functions (QOWF) to obtain a time-dependent signature scheme where the algorithms take into account time. The keys are classical but the verification key needs to be continually updated. The second construction uses fixed quantum verification keys and achieves information-theoretic secure signatures against adversaries with bounded quantum memory i.e. in the bounded quantum storage model. Furthermore, we apply our time-dependent signatures to authenticate keys in quantum public key encryption schemes and achieve indistinguishability under chosen quantum key and ciphertext attack (qCKCA).Comment: 22 page

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p&lt;0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p&lt;0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Analytical model of long-span bridge vortex-shedding response

Civil engineering structures exposed to wind flow frequently experience vortex-induced vibrations. The detrimental effects of these vibrations are a direct result of fluid passing across an aerodynamically bluff body, separating along its contours, and forming a wake. At a critical value of Reynold\u27s number, an instability in the separated layers develops, and vortices form in a complicated process that involves a nonlinear interaction and a feed-back mechanism. The shedding of vortices exerts a small fluctuating thrust adverse to the direction of the incident flow. As the wind velocity increases, the frequency of shedding synchronizes with one of the structure\u27s natural frequencies causing large amplitude oscillatory motion. This condition of synchronicity persists over a wide range of wind speeds causing fatigue or even failure in part or entirety of the structure.In this study, a systematic approach to vortex-shedding analysis of cable-stayed bridges has been proposed. First, the deformed configuration of the structure is determined using a nonlinear static analysis model. Then the lowest natural frequencies and modal shapes are extracted utilizing the subspace iteration method and the Lanczos starting iteration vectors. Finally, the maximum vortex-induced response is approximated using the nonlinear dynamic approach developed during the course of this study.The objective of the proposed approach was specifically aimed at extending the versatility of Scanlan\u27s model to more general and diverse structural systems. This improvement has been achieved by implementing the finite element concept in conjunction with Scanlan\u27s nonlinear model to formulate the equation of motion for a three-dimensional beam element. This element may be used as a building block in representing framed structural systems enduring vortex-induced vibration. The anticipated oscillatory response may then be determined by assembling and solving the constituent nonlinear equations of motion using a direct integration scheme and an iterative process. Investigating the response of a sample cable-stayed bridge, the proposed method demonstrated good conformity and close agreement with the results obtained from Scanlan\u27s model. In addition to the improved analysis and representation properties, the proposed empirical-numerical approach may also be conceived as one that reaffirms the results acquired from Scanlan\u27s model, particularly when treating complex structural systems exhibiting variable cross-sectional and aerodynamic properties

Echocardiographic Changes in Saudi Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among the diabetic population. Given the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Saudi Arabia and the high prevalence of heart failure in the diabetic population, this study assesses the echocardiographic changes in Saudi patients with type 2 DM (T2DM) compared with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective case–control study, 80 patients with diabetes (45 males, age: 58.78 ± 10.2 years) were compared with 80 controls (45 males, age: 58.6 ± 10 years) who underwent an echocardiographic study in the King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: There were no significant differences between the patients with diabetes and controls in terms of aortic root diameter, left atrium diameter, posterior wall, interventricular wall thickness, left ventricular diameters and ejection fraction. However, diastolic dysfunction was statistically significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the control group (p Conclusions: This is the first case–control study in Saudi Arabia that assesses echocardiographic parameters in T2DM patients. DM is an independent risk factor for diastolic dysfunction regardless of its association with hypertension and dyslipidemia

Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine

Abstract Background Women’s inability to recognize ovarian cancer (OC) causation myths to be incorrect may lead to behavioral changes that could distract them from actual risk factors and impact their treatment decision making. This study examined Palestinian women’s recognition of OC mythical causes, and explored factors associated with good recognition. Methods A national cross-sectional study was conducted. Adult Palestinian women were recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and public areas in 11 governorates. The Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale was modified and utilized for data collection. Awareness level was determined based on the number of myths around OC causation recognized to be incorrect: poor (0–4), fair (5–9), and good (10–13). Results A total of 5618 participants agreed and completed the questionnaire out of 6095 approached (response rate = 92.1%), and 5411 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. The most recognized food-related myth was ‘drinking from plastic bottles’ (n = 1370, 25.3%) followed by ‘eating burnt food’ (n = 1298, 24.0%). The least recognized food-related myth was ‘eating food containing additives’ (n = 611, 11.3%). The most recognized food-unrelated myth was ‘having a physical trauma’ (n = 2899, 53.6%), whereas the least recognized was ‘using mobile phones’ (n = 1347, 24.9%). Only 273 participants (5.1%) had good awareness of OC causation myths as incorrect. Earning higher monthly incomes as well as visiting governmental healthcare facilities were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of exhibiting good awareness. Conclusion The overall recognition of OC causation myths was low. Addressing mythical beliefs should be included in OC prevention strategies and public health interventions to improve women’s understanding of OC risk factors versus mythical causes

Anticipated time to seek medical advice for possible ovarian cancer symptoms and perceived barriers to early presentation among Palestinian women: a national cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Several factors contribute to delayed presentation with ovarian cancer (OC) symptoms including poor symptom awareness and barriers to seeking help. This study explored the anticipated time to seek medical advice for possible OC symptoms and its association with OC symptom awareness. In addition, it examined perceived barriers that may delay help-seeking among Palestinian women. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult women (≥ 18 years) recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces in 11 Palestinian governorates. A modified version of the OC awareness measure was used to collect data in face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire comprised three sections: sociodemographic details, awareness of 11 OC symptoms and time to seek medical advice, and barriers to early presentation. Results Of 6095 participants approached, 5618 completed the OCAM (response rate = 92.1%). The proportion of participants who would immediately seek medical advice for a possible OC symptom varied based on the symptom’s nature. For OC symptoms with pain, the proportion that reported immediate seeking of medical advice ranged from 7.9% for ‘persistent low back pain’ to 13.6% for ‘persistent pain in the pelvis’. For non-specific potential OC symptoms, the proportion that reported immediate seeking of medical advice ranged from 2.3% for ‘feeling full persistently’ to 15.8% for ‘increased abdominal size on most days’. Good OC symptom awareness was associated with higher likelihood of seeking medical advice within a week from recognizing 10 out of 11 OC symptoms. Emotional barriers were the most common barriers with ‘feeling scared’ as the most reported barrier (n = 1512, 52.4%). Displaying good OC symptom awareness was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting ≥ 4 emotional barriers (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.98). Conclusion Participants with good OC symptom awareness were more likely to seek medical advice earlier and to display fewer emotional barriers. Establishing educational interventions to raise OC awareness may help in promoting earlier help-seeking and, thus, facilitate earlier diagnosis and improved prognosis

Additional file 1 of Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine

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