Lists that are smaller than their parts: A coding approach to tunable secrecy

We present a new information-theoretic definition and associated results, based on list decoding in a source coding setting. We begin by presenting list-source codes, which naturally map a key length (entropy) to list size. We then show that such codes can be analyzed in the context of a novel information-theoretic metric, \epsilon-symbol secrecy, that encompasses both the one-time pad and traditional rate-based asymptotic metrics, but, like most cryptographic constructs, can be applied in non-asymptotic settings. We derive fundamental bounds for \epsilon-symbol secrecy and demonstrate how these bounds can be achieved with MDS codes when the source is uniformly distributed. We discuss applications and implementation issues of our codes.Comment: Allerton 2012, 8 page

Isolation and primary culture of various cell types from whole human endometrial biopsies

The isolation and primary culture of cells from human endometrial biopsies provides valuable experimental material for reproductive and gynaecological research. Whole endometrial biopsies are collected from consenting women and digested with collagenase and DNase I to dissociate cells from the extracellular matrix. Cell populations are then isolated through culturing, filtering and magnetic separation using cell-surface antigen markers. Here we provide a comprehensive protocol on how to isolate and culture individual cell types from whole endometrial tissues for use in in vitro experiments

Maturity and readiness of the Manaus industrial pole: case study of the television product / Maturidade e prontidão do polo industrial de Manaus: estudo de caso do produto televisor

The Manaus Industrial Pole is an important mechanism for regional development, in addition to enabling conservation of the Amazon Forest, having the Basic Productive Process as the main instrument of industrial policy. This article evaluates aspects for its continuity with the advent of Industry 4.0, through a Maturity and Readiness Model applied to its highest billing product: the television. The statistical validation of the research was obtained through structural equations modeling, using the SmartPLS® 3.0 software. The founded results were compared to those of an already tested Maturity and Readiness Model named PIM M4.0®, highlighting logistical interoperability

Domatia and leaf blade structure of Rudgea eugenioides (Rubiaceae)

Rudgea eugenioides is a rare woody species that grows in the understory of well-preserved Atlantic Forest of Serra dos Órgãos, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Leaves were collected in Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima, Rio de Janeiro. The anatomical characteristics of the leaf blade were examined, especially the epidermis, using light and electron microscopy. The abaxial surface was smooth, with gap domatia between the midrib and the secondary veins and papillae. Micromorphological analyses showed epicuticular wax without any ornamentation. Leaf cross sections of R. eugenioides showed that the epidermis consisted of one-layer of cells covered with a fine cuticle and parallelocytic stomata. Light microscopy revealed that the periclinal cell walls were flat and that the anticlinal walls were predominantly straight and thicker. The leaf blade contained dorsiventral mesophyll with crystal idioblasts and collateral vascular bundles. Transmission electron microscopy allowed the arrangement of the outer periclinal cell wall to be observed. The results identified anatomical and ultrastructural characteristics that may contribute to understanding the taxonomy of this species and the survival strategies it uses in this forest environment.Rudgea eugenioides é uma espécie arbórea rara no sub-bosque de florestas bem preservadas da Serra dos Órgãos, na Floresta Atlântica do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Folhas foram coletadas na Reserva Ecológica de Macaé de Cima, Rio de Janeiro e observadas características anatômicas da lâmina foliar, com especial atenção à epiderme, usando microscopia óptica e eletrônica. A superfície abaxial é lisa, apresentando domácias do tipo em fenda entre a nervura principal e as secundárias e papilas. Análises micromorfológicas mostraram filme contínuo de cera sem qualquer ornamentação. Cortes transversais da lâmina foliar de R. eugenioides mostrou epiderme adaxial e abaxial com uma camada de células cobertas com uma cutícula delgada e estômatos paralelocíticos apenas na superfície abaxial. Em microscopia óptica, as paredes periclinais mostraram-se planas e as paredes anticlinais predominantemente retas e espessas. A lâmina foliar apresenta mesofilo dorsiventral com idioblastos cristalíferos e feixes vasculares colaterais. Em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, foi observado o arranjo da parede periclinal externa. Os resultados identificaram características anatômicas e ultraestruturais que podem ser relevantes para subsidiar a taxonomia e estratégias de sobrevivência no ambiente de floresta

Improving the evidential value of low-quality face images with aggregation of deep neural network embeddings

In forensic facial comparison, questioned-source images are usually captured in uncontrolled environments, with non-uniform lighting, and from non-cooperative subjects. The poor quality of such material usually compromises their value as evidence in legal proceedings. On the other hand, in forensic casework, multiple images of the person of interest are usually available. In this paper, we propose to aggregate deep neural network embeddings from various images of the same person to improve the performance in forensic comparison of facial images. We observe significant performance improvements, especially for low-quality images. Further improvements are obtained by aggregating embeddings of more images and by applying quality-weighted aggregation. We demonstrate the benefits of this approach in forensic evaluation settings with the development and validation of common-source likelihood ratio systems and report improvements in Cllr both for CCTV images and for social media images