1,264 research outputs found
Computation using Noise-based Logic: Efficient String Verification over a Slow Communication Channel
Utilizing the hyperspace of noise-based logic, we show two string
verification methods with low communication complexity. One of them is based on
continuum noise-based logic. The other one utilizes noise-based logic with
random telegraph signals where a mathematical analysis of the error probability
is also given. The last operation can also be interpreted as computing
universal hash functions with noise-based logic and using them for string
comparison. To find out with 10^-25 error probability that two strings with
arbitrary length are different (this value is similar to the error probability
of an idealistic gate in today's computer) Alice and Bob need to compare only
83 bits of the noise-based hyperspace.Comment: Accepted for publication in European Journal of Physics B (November
10, 2010
Fluctuation-enhanced sensing
We present a short survey on fluctuation-enhanced gas sensing. We compare
some of its main characteristics with those of classical sensing. We address
the problem of linear response, information channel capacity, missed alarms and
false alarms.Comment: Keynote Talk at SPIE's 4th international symposium on Fluctuations
and Noise, Conference Noise and Fluctuations in Circuits, Devices and
Materials, Florence, Italy, May 20-24, 200
Critical analysis of the Bennett-Riedel attack on secure cryptographic key distributions via the Kirchhoff-law-Johnson-noise scheme
Recently, Bennett and Riedel (BR) (http://arxiv.org/abs/1303.7435v1) argued that thermodynamics is not essential in the Kirchhoff-law–Johnson-noise (KLJN) classical physical cryptographic exchange method in an effort to disprove the security of the KLJN scheme. They attempted to demonstrate this by introducing a dissipation-free deterministic key exchange method with two batteries and two switches. In the present paper, we first show that BR's scheme is unphysical and that some elements of its assumptions violate basic protocols of secure communication. All our analyses are based on a technically unlimited Eve with infinitely accurate and fast measurements limited only by the laws of physics and statistics. For non-ideal situations and at active (invasive) attacks, the uncertainly principle between measurement duration and statistical errors makes it impossible for Eve to extract the key regardless of the accuracy or speed of her measurements. To show that thermodynamics and noise are essential for the security, we crack the BR system with 100% success via passive attacks, in ten different ways, and demonstrate that the same cracking methods do not function for the KLJN scheme that employs Johnson noise to provide security underpinned by the Second Law of Thermodynamics. We also present a critical analysis of some other claims by BR; for example, we prove that their equations for describing zero security do not apply to the KLJN scheme. Finally we give mathematical security proofs for each BR-attack against the KLJN scheme and conclude that the information theoretic (unconditional) security of the KLJN method has not been successfully challenged.Laszlo B. Kish, Derek Abbott, Claes G. Granqvis
Qualification Tests of the R11410-21 Photomultiplier Tubes for the XENON1T Detector
The Hamamatsu R11410-21 photomultiplier tube is the photodetector of choice
for the XENON1T dual-phase time projection chamber. The device has been
optimized for a very low intrinsic radioactivity, a high quantum efficiency and
a high sensitivity to single photon detection. A total of 248 tubes are
currently operated in XENON1T, selected out of 321 tested units. In this
article the procedures implemented to evaluate the large number of tubes prior
to their installation in XENON1T are described. The parameter distributions for
all tested tubes are shown, with an emphasis on those selected for XENON1T, of
which the impact on the detector performance is discussed. All photomultipliers
have been tested in a nitrogen atmosphere at cryogenic temperatures, with a
subset of the tubes being tested in gaseous and liquid xenon, simulating their
operating conditions in the dark matter detector. The performance and
evaluation of the tubes in the different environments is reported and the
criteria for rejection of PMTs are outlined and quantified.Comment: 24 pages, 16 figure
Why We Read Wikipedia
Wikipedia is one of the most popular sites on the Web, with millions of users
relying on it to satisfy a broad range of information needs every day. Although
it is crucial to understand what exactly these needs are in order to be able to
meet them, little is currently known about why users visit Wikipedia. The goal
of this paper is to fill this gap by combining a survey of Wikipedia readers
with a log-based analysis of user activity. Based on an initial series of user
surveys, we build a taxonomy of Wikipedia use cases along several dimensions,
capturing users' motivations to visit Wikipedia, the depth of knowledge they
are seeking, and their knowledge of the topic of interest prior to visiting
Wikipedia. Then, we quantify the prevalence of these use cases via a
large-scale user survey conducted on live Wikipedia with almost 30,000
responses. Our analyses highlight the variety of factors driving users to
Wikipedia, such as current events, media coverage of a topic, personal
curiosity, work or school assignments, or boredom. Finally, we match survey
responses to the respondents' digital traces in Wikipedia's server logs,
enabling the discovery of behavioral patterns associated with specific use
cases. For instance, we observe long and fast-paced page sequences across
topics for users who are bored or exploring randomly, whereas those using
Wikipedia for work or school spend more time on individual articles focused on
topics such as science. Our findings advance our understanding of reader
motivations and behavior on Wikipedia and can have implications for developers
aiming to improve Wikipedia's user experience, editors striving to cater to
their readers' needs, third-party services (such as search engines) providing
access to Wikipedia content, and researchers aiming to build tools such as
recommendation engines.Comment: Published in WWW'17; v2 fixes caption of Table
Prenatal and Early, but Not Late, Postnatal Exposure of Mice to Sidestream Tobacco Smoke Increases Airway Hyperresponsiveness Later in Life
Background
Cigarette smoke exposure in utero and during early postnatal development increases the incidence of asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) later in life, suggesting that a possible critical period of developmental sensitivity exists in the prenatal and early postnatal periods. Objective
We investigated mechanisms of susceptibility during critical developmental periods to sidestream smoke (SS) exposure and evaluated the possible effects of SS on neural responses. Methods
We exposed three different age groups of mice to either SS or filtered air (FA) for 10 consecutive days beginning on gestation day (GD) 7 by maternal exposure or beginning on postnatal day (PND) 2 or PND21 by direct inhalation. Lung function, airway substance P (SP) innervation, and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in broncho alveolar lavage fluid were measured after a single SS exposure on PND59. Results
Methacholine (MCh) dose response for lung resistance (RL) was significantly elevated, and dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) was significantly decreased, in the GD7 and PND2 SS exposure groups compared with the FA groups after SS exposure on PND59. At the same time points, the percent area of SP nerve fibers in tracheal smooth muscle and the levels of NGF were significantly elevated. MCh dose–response curves for RL and Cdyn, SP nerve fiber density, and the level of NGF were not significantly changed in the PND21 exposure group after SS exposure on PND59. Conclusions
These results suggest that a critical period of susceptibility to SS exposure exists in the prenatal and early postnatal period of development in mice that results in increased SP innervation, increased NGF levels in the airway, and enhanced MCh AHR later in life
Prenatal and Early, but Not Late, Postnatal Exposure of Mice to Sidestream Tobacco Smoke Increases Airway Hyperresponsiveness Later in Life
Background
Cigarette smoke exposure in utero and during early postnatal development increases the incidence of asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) later in life, suggesting that a possible critical period of developmental sensitivity exists in the prenatal and early postnatal periods. Objective
We investigated mechanisms of susceptibility during critical developmental periods to sidestream smoke (SS) exposure and evaluated the possible effects of SS on neural responses. Methods
We exposed three different age groups of mice to either SS or filtered air (FA) for 10 consecutive days beginning on gestation day (GD) 7 by maternal exposure or beginning on postnatal day (PND) 2 or PND21 by direct inhalation. Lung function, airway substance P (SP) innervation, and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in broncho alveolar lavage fluid were measured after a single SS exposure on PND59. Results
Methacholine (MCh) dose response for lung resistance (RL) was significantly elevated, and dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) was significantly decreased, in the GD7 and PND2 SS exposure groups compared with the FA groups after SS exposure on PND59. At the same time points, the percent area of SP nerve fibers in tracheal smooth muscle and the levels of NGF were significantly elevated. MCh dose–response curves for RL and Cdyn, SP nerve fiber density, and the level of NGF were not significantly changed in the PND21 exposure group after SS exposure on PND59. Conclusions
These results suggest that a critical period of susceptibility to SS exposure exists in the prenatal and early postnatal period of development in mice that results in increased SP innervation, increased NGF levels in the airway, and enhanced MCh AHR later in life
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