181 research outputs found
Coded Cooperative Data Exchange for a Secret Key
We consider a coded cooperative data exchange problem with the goal of
generating a secret key. Specifically, we investigate the number of public
transmissions required for a set of clients to agree on a secret key with
probability one, subject to the constraint that it remains private from an
eavesdropper.
Although the problems are closely related, we prove that secret key
generation with fewest number of linear transmissions is NP-hard, while it is
known that the analogous problem in traditional cooperative data exchange can
be solved in polynomial time. In doing this, we completely characterize the
best possible performance of linear coding schemes, and also prove that linear
codes can be strictly suboptimal. Finally, we extend the single-key results to
characterize the minimum number of public transmissions required to generate a
desired integer number of statistically independent secret keys.Comment: Full version of a paper that appeared at ISIT 2014. 19 pages, 2
figure
Unicast Barrage Relay Networks: Outage Analysis and Optimization
Barrage relays networks (BRNs) are ad hoc networks built on a rapid
cooperative flooding primitive as opposed to the traditional point-to-point
link abstraction. Controlled barrage regions (CBRs) can be used to contain this
flooding primitive for unicast and multicast, thereby enabling spatial reuse.
In this paper, the behavior of individual CBRs is described as a Markov process
that models the potential cooperative relay transmissions. The outage
probability for a CBR is found in closed form for a given topology, and the
probability takes into account fading and co-channel interference (CCI) between
adjacent CBRs. Having adopted this accurate analytical framework, this paper
proceeds to optimize a BRN by finding the optimal size of each CBR, the number
of relays contained within each CBR, the optimal relay locations when they are
constrained to lie on a straight line, and the code rate that maximizes the
transport capacity.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, in IEEE Military Commun. Conf. (MILCOM),
201
Neotectonics of the Western Nepal Fault System: Implications for Himalayan strain partitioning
Oblique convergence at the Himalayan margin is hypothesized to be partitioned by orogen-normal thrusting and orogen-parallel strike-slip faulting. We conducted field mapping and remote sensing in the Dhaulagiri Range of Nepal, and the results reveal an active regional fault system termed the Western Nepal Fault System (WNFS). Right and normally offset Quaternary deposits and brittly deformed bedrock demarcate dextral slip along two strike-slip faults striking N40–50°W linked via an extensional right step over striking N10–20°E. The strike-slip attitudes subparallel bedrock foliation, while the step over cuts at a high angle (~70°).
Fault slip data along the strike-slip segments trend N70°W with minor dip component, top to north. Fault slip data and observed kinematics along the WNFS support our interpretation that the WNFS formed via arc-parallel stress. On the basis of geometry, kinematics, and structural position we correlate the WNFS to active faults between the Karakoram and Bari Gad faults. This suggests an ~350 km long dextral fault system extending obliquely across the Western Nepal Himalaya which appears to intersect the Main Frontal Thrust (MFT) near 83°30′E, coinciding with a large gradient in the arc-parallel component of GPS velocities. We interpret the WNFS to represent a class of orogen-parallel strike-slip faults working with subduction to accommodate obliquely
convergent plate motion. Our observations support the hypothesis that the region lying between the MFT and the WNFS is a continental version of a fore-arc sliver bounded at its base by the Main Himalayan Thrust
Spin Foam Models of Riemannian Quantum Gravity
Using numerical calculations, we compare three versions of the Barrett-Crane
model of 4-dimensional Riemannian quantum gravity. In the version with face and
edge amplitudes as described by De Pietri, Freidel, Krasnov, and Rovelli, we
show the partition function diverges very rapidly for many triangulated
4-manifolds. In the version with modified face and edge amplitudes due to Perez
and Rovelli, we show the partition function converges so rapidly that the sum
is dominated by spin foams where all the spins labelling faces are zero except
for small, widely separated islands of higher spin. We also describe a new
version which appears to have a convergent partition function without drastic
spin-zero dominance. Finally, after a general discussion of how to extract
physics from spin foam models, we discuss the implications of convergence or
divergence of the partition function for other aspects of a spin foam model.Comment: 23 pages LaTeX; this version to appear in Classical and Quantum
Gravit
Multilevel Deconstruction of the In Vivo Behavior of Looped DNA-Protein Complexes
Protein-DNA complexes with loops play a fundamental role in a wide variety of
cellular processes, ranging from the regulation of DNA transcription to
telomere maintenance. As ubiquitous as they are, their precise in vivo
properties and their integration into the cellular function still remain
largely unexplored. Here, we present a multilevel approach that efficiently
connects in both directions molecular properties with cell physiology and use
it to characterize the molecular properties of the looped DNA-lac repressor
complex while functioning in vivo. The properties we uncover include the
presence of two representative conformations of the complex, the stabilization
of one conformation by DNA architectural proteins, and precise values of the
underlying twisting elastic constants and bending free energies. Incorporation
of all this molecular information into gene-regulation models reveals an
unprecedented versatility of looped DNA-protein complexes at shaping the
properties of gene expression.Comment: Open Access article available at
http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.000035
Dairy food structures influence the rates of nutrient digestion through different in vitro gastric behaviour
The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro the extent to which specific food structures alter gastric behaviour and could therefore impact on nutrient delivery and digestion in the small intestine. Results obtained from a specifically developed gastric digestion model, were compared to results from a previous human study on the same foods. The semi-dynamic model could simulate the main gastric dynamics including gradual acidification, lipolysis, proteolysis and emptying. Two dairy-based foods with the same caloric content but different structure were studied. The semi-solid meal comprised a mixture of cheese and yogurt and the liquid meal was an oil in water emulsion stabilised by milk proteins. Our findings showed similar gastric behaviour to that seen previously in vivo. Gastric behaviour was affected by the initial structure with creaming and sedimentation observed in the case of liquid and semi-solid samples, respectively. Lipid and protein digestion profiles showed clear differences in the amount of nutrients reaching the simulated small intestine and, consequently, the likely bioaccessibility after digestion. The semi-solid sample generated higher nutrient released into the small intestine at an early stage of digestion whereas nutrient accessibility from liquid sample was delayed due to the formation of a cream layer in the gastric phase. This shows the strong effect of the matrix on gastric behaviour, proteolysis and lipolysis, which explains the differences in physiological responses seen previously with these systems in terms of fullness and satiety
Polymorphisms of Serotonin Receptor 2A and 2C Genes and COMT in Relation to Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
BACKGROUND:Candidate genes of psychological importance include 5HT2A, 5HT2C, and COMT, implicated in the serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine pathways, which also may be involved in regulation of energy balance. We investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of these genes with obesity and metabolic traits. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:In a population of 166 200 young men examined at the draft boards, obese men (n = 726, BMI> or =31.0 kg/m(2)) and a randomly selected group (n = 831) were re-examined at two surveys at mean ages 46 and 49 years (S-46, S-49). Anthropometric, physiological and biochemical measures were available. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess age-adjusted odds ratios. No significant associations were observed of 5HT2A rs6311, 5HT2C rs3813929 and COMT rs4680 with obesity, except that COMT rs4680 GG-genotype was associated with fat-BMI (OR = 1.08, CI = 1.01-1.16). The SNPs were associated with a number of physiological variables; most importantly 5HT2C rs3813929 T-allele was associated with glucose (OR = 4.56, CI = 1.13-18.4) and acute insulin response (OR = 0.65, CI = 0.44-0.94) in S-49. COMT rs4680 GG-genotype was associated with glucose (OR = 1.04, CI = 1.00-1.09). Except for an association between 5HT2A rs6311 and total-cholesterol at both surveys, significant in S-46 (OR = 2.66, CI = 1.11-6.40), no significant associations were observed for the other phenotypes. Significant associations were obtained when combined genotype of 5HT2C rs3813929 and COMT rs4680 were examined in relation to BMI (OR = 1.12, CI = 1.03-1.21), fat-BMI (OR = 1.22, CI = 1.08-1.38), waist (OR = 1.13, CI = 1.04-1.22), and cholesterol (OR = 5.60, CI = 0.99-31.4). Analyses of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) revealed, a 12.3% increased frequency of 5HT2C rs3813929 T-allele and an 11.6% increased frequency of COMT rs4680 GG-genotype in individuals with IGT or T2D (chi(2), p = 0.05 and p = 0.06, respectively). Examination of the combined genotypes of 5HT2C and COMT showed a 34.0% increased frequency of IGT or T2D (chi(2), p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:The findings lend further support to the involvement of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine pathways on obesity and glucose homeostasis, in particular when combined genotype associations are explored
A New Four‐Component L*‐Dependent Model for Radial Diffusion Based on Solar Wind and Magnetospheric Drivers of ULF Waves
The outer radiation belt is a region of space comprising highly energetic
electrons. During periods of extreme space weather, the number and energy of these electrons can rapidly vary.
During these periods as the electron energies and numbers become enhanced, they can pose a threat to satellite
and space infrastructure. While we have an excellent understanding of the physical processes which drive
radiation belt electron dynamics, we still have a limited ability to model and forecast radiation belt dynamics;
this is a result of the complexity of Earth's radiation belt system. One of the key processes controlling radiation
belt dynamics is Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) wave radial diffusion. In this work we detail the development a
new model quantifying the strength of ULF wave radial diffusion in the outer radiation belt utilizing space base
observations of the electric and magnetic fields in Earth's magnetosphere. Accurately quantifying ULF wave
radial diffusion is fundamental to understanding radiation belt dynamics and any improvement or refinements
in radial diffusion models can help to provide a better understanding of the complex radiation belt system and
importantly improve hindcasts, nowcasts, and forecasts
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