Some Efficient Solutions to Yao's Millionaire Problem

We present three simple and efficient protocol constructions to solve Yao's Millionaire Problem when the parties involved are non-colluding and semi-honest. The first construction uses a partially homomorphic Encryption Scheme and is a 4-round scheme using 2 encryptions, 2 homomorphic circuit evaluations (subtraction and XOR) and a single decryption. The second construction uses an untrusted third party and achieves a communication overhead linear in input bit-size with the help of an order preserving function.Moreover, the second construction does not require an apriori input bound and can work on inputs of different bit-sizes. The third construction does not use a third party and, even though, it has a quadratic communication overhead, it is a fairly simple construction.Comment: 17 page

A study on development changes in essential oil content and composition in Cymbopogon flexuosus cultivar Suvarna

Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud.) cv. Suvarna produces an essential oil with unique lemon like aroma which is broadly used in flavors, fragrance, perfumery and pharmaceuticals. Here we report changes in essential oil content and compositions during C. flexuosus cv. Suvarna leaf development, leaf positions and leaf age. Essential oils were isolated by hydro-distillation of leaves harvested at six different developmental stages (10-50 days), 1st-5th leaf positions and three parts (basal, middle and apical) of the leaves. Analyses of essential oils by gas chromatography and GC-MS have identified 20 different terpenoids constituents with citral as the major monoterpene. The study showed that essential oil content was highest in early stages (10-20 days) of leaf development, then declined substantially. Similar pattern of essential oil content was observed between the 1st-5th leaf positions and the basal-apical parts within a leaf. Essential oil compositions were also markedly fluctuated. Percentage together of geranyl acetate and geraniol declined rapidly from 32% to 4% on 10th and 20th days, respectively; while percentage of citral (geranial + neral) increased correspondingly from 56% to 81% on 10th and 20th days, respectively. Similar changes in monoterpene composition were observed in leaf positions and leaf age (basal to apical part). Thus the study revealed that accumulation of essential oil depends on the developmental stages of the concerned plant parts and changes in essential oil content is also reflected by compositional changes in oil constituents

Forensic tool for sex prediction- hand dimensions

Background: Determination of sex from mutilated body fragments can perform vital role for identification of departed soul.Forensic authority pacts with human identification from the hand measurements which is of prodigious assessment during tragedies, terror attacks and in criminality. Objective: Present study explored the analytical role of the anthropometric measurements of hand dimensions, find demarking points for male and female, check percentage exactitude of sex determination in Western Indian population. Methods: The study was piloted on a sample of 504 individuals. All the measurements were taken by standard procedure. Discriminant analysis and demarking points were created for all hand measurements. Results: Males have a significantly higher values of all measurements than females. The left-hand length measurement unveiled  noteworthy sexual dimorphism index (110.80). The higher value of the demarking point labelled as males. The best sexually dimorphic hand dimensions showed the utmost precision left hand length (95% in the male), followed by right hand length (76.1%). Conclusion: All hand measurements like length, breadth and index are displaying sexual dimorphism, hence they can be used for determination of sex when isolated hand is found.Keywords: Hand measurements; sexual dimorphism; demarking point; discriminant analysis

Clinical measurement of intermalleolar distance in Western Indian population

Background: Angular deformities around the knee are one of the common basis of presentation at orthopaedic clinic and intermalleolar distance (IMD) is an essential anthropometric tool for evaluation of the angular status of the lower limb.Methods: 500 healthy (330 male and 170 female) subjects between 20 to 40 years of age were taken for IMD measurement in standing and supine position by digital vernier caliper.Results: The normal range of IMD in western Indian population in between 32-58 mm. IMD in standing position was 42.47 mm with (95% CI = 40.51 to 44.42 mm) and in supine position was 34.45 mm with (95% CI = 32.78 to 36.13 mm). Mean IMD in male in standing position was 40.01 mm while in female it was 43.74 mm observed. Statically significant difference was observed in posture change and according to age.Conclusions: Significantly higher value in female, in standing position and in higher age group were observed.

Investigations of structural, chemical and physical properties of natural lac and its reinforced composites

Natural lac resin is secreted by the small parasitic insect Kerria Lacca on various host trees in India. It has been conventionally used as filling, protective, adhesive, binder and insulating material. Cultivated by tribal people for various applications, the earliest popularly known reference to its use is found in the Mahabharata epic. Because of the imminent danger of environmental degradation, mankind is now veering towards a refreshing global awareness of the need to use, natural products because of their organic, non-toxic and biodegradable nature. This way, the present study is focused to understand the physical, structural and chemical properties of these natural lac and its applied form chapadi (a mixture of lac and sand), which has been used, for more than 500 years, as an adhesive and filling material by traditional Swordsmiths in Rajasthan (India). In addition, new lac-based composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and carbon fibres have been synthesised and studied for their structural and physical properties. Surface morphology and elemental composition of as synthesized samples have been carried out by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). FTIR spectra have been recorded in order to identify the organic functional group. Samples of CNTs and carbon fibre reinforced with pure lac have been found to be better adhesives. The study aims to understand the nature of these reinforced composites as a new material that can be used for various applications in future

Efficacy of bioinoculants on biomass, nutritional status and yield of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.).

In the present investigation, different bioinoculants were analysed to test their efficacy as bio-fertilizer value for medicinal plant i.e. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.) under controlled conditions in a poly house. Bioinoculants including dominant Arbuscular Mycorhizal Fungi (Glomus mosseae and Acaulospora laevis) and Phosphate solubilizing Bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) were taken in present experimentation. The independent roles of these bioinoculants or with different combinations were assessed on one month old saplings of C. citratus in pot conditions.The results showed that application of these bio-inoculants were very effective for growth responses, biomass, biochemical, yield parameters. A consortium of G. mosseae, A. laevis and P. fluorescens showed best results for plant height, root length and in increasing the biomass. Mycorrhization status was recovered highest in the consortium treatment. The biochemical and yield (biomass) parameters were also better with consortium. The findings of the present study are informative for herbalist, to use these efficient bioinoculants as bio-fertilizer for the better yield of C. citratus along with least adverse effects on microbial diversity and stability of soil as compared to commercially used inorganic fertilizer