A Framework for Efficient Adaptively Secure Composable Oblivious Transfer in the ROM

Oblivious Transfer (OT) is a fundamental cryptographic protocol that finds a number of applications, in particular, as an essential building block for two-party and multi-party computation. We construct a round-optimal (2 rounds) universally composable (UC) protocol for oblivious transfer secure against active adaptive adversaries from any OW-CPA secure public-key encryption scheme with certain properties in the random oracle model (ROM). In terms of computation, our protocol only requires the generation of a public/secret-key pair, two encryption operations and one decryption operation, apart from a few calls to the random oracle. In~terms of communication, our protocol only requires the transfer of one public-key, two ciphertexts, and three binary strings of roughly the same size as the message. Next, we show how to instantiate our construction under the low noise LPN, McEliece, QC-MDPC, LWE, and CDH assumptions. Our instantiations based on the low noise LPN, McEliece, and QC-MDPC assumptions are the first UC-secure OT protocols based on coding assumptions to achieve: 1) adaptive security, 2) optimal round complexity, 3) low communication and computational complexities. Previous results in this setting only achieved static security and used costly cut-and-choose techniques.Our instantiation based on CDH achieves adaptive security at the small cost of communicating only two more group elements as compared to the gap-DH based Simplest OT protocol of Chou and Orlandi (Latincrypt 15), which only achieves static security in the ROM

2D Image head pose estimation via latent space regression under occlusion settings

Head orientation is a challenging Computer Vision problem that has been extensively researched having a wide variety of applications. However, current state-of-the-art systems still underperform in the presence of occlusions and are unreliable for many task applications in such scenarios. This work proposes a novel deep learning approach for the problem of head pose estimation under occlusions. The strategy is based on latent space regression as a fundamental key to better structure the problem for occluded scenarios. Our model surpasses several state-of-the-art methodologies for occluded HPE, and achieves similar accuracy for non-occluded scenarios. We demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach with: (i) two synthetically occluded versions of the BIWI and AFLW2000 datasets, (ii) real-life occlusions of the Pandora dataset, and (iii) a real-life application to human-robot interaction scenarios where face occlusions often occur. Specifically, the autonomous feeding from a robotic arm

Improving the connectivity of community detection-based hierarchical routing protocols in large-scale wsns

The recent growth in the use of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in many applications leads to the raise of a core infrastructure for communication and data gathering in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). The communication strategy in most of the WSNs relies on hierarchical clustering routing protocols due to their ad hoc nature. In the bulk of the existing approaches some special nodes, named Cluster-Heads (CHs), have the task of assembling clusters and intermediate the communication between the cluster members and a central entity in the network, the Sink. Therefore, the overall efficiency of such protocols is highly dependent on the even distribution of CHs in the network. Recently, a community detection-based approach, named RLP, have shown interesting results with respect to the CH distribution and availability that potentially increases the overall WSN efficiency. Despite the better results of RLP regarding the literature, the adopted CH election algorithm may lead to a CH shortage throughout the network operation. In line with that, in this paper, we introduce an improved version of RLP, named HRLP. Our proposal includes a hybrid CH election algorithm which relies on a computationally cheap and distributed probabilistic-based CH recovery procedure to improve the network connectivity. Additionally, we provide a performance analysis of HRLP and its comparison to other protocols by considering a large-scale WSN scenario. The results evince the improvements achieved by the proposed strategy by means of the network connectivity and lifetime metrics. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.Federal University of São Paulo, Avenida Cesare Mansueto Giulio Lattes, 1201, Parque Tecnológico, 12247014, São José dos Campos-SP-BrazilFederal University of São Paulo, Avenida Cesare Mansueto Giulio Lattes, 1201, Parque Tecnológico, 12247014, São José dos Campos-SP-BrazilWeb of Scienc

Tadpole of the Amazonia frog Edalorhina perezi (Anura: Leptodactylidae) with description of oral internal and chondrocranial morphology

The genus Edalorhina consists of two species of small forest-floor frogs inhabiting the Amazon basin. The tadpole of Edalorhina perezi, the most widely distributed species, was previously described based on a single and early stage (Gosner 25) individual. Herein, we provide a description of the tadpole in Gosner stages 35–36 including internal morphology data (i.e., buccopharyngeal cavity and larval skeleton) based on samples from two populations from Ecuador. Edalorhina shares a generalized morphology with most members of its closely related taxa; however, it is distinguished from the other species by having an almost terminal oral disc. The presence of a dextral vent tube is considered a synapomorphy for the clade consisting of Edalorhina, Engystomops, and Physalaemus. Within this clade, the combination of two lingual papillae, a filiform median ridge, and the lack of buccal roof papillae are diagnostic of E. perezi and putative autapomorphies of Edalorhina. Chondrocranial anatomy provides characteristics, that is, presence of and uniquely shaped processus pseudopterygoideus and cartilago suprarostralis with corpora and alae joined by dorsal and ventral connections that readily differentiates the genus from other Leiuperinae

Larval anatomy of monotypic painted ant nest frogs Lithodytes lineatus reveals putative homoplasies with the Leptodactylus pentadactylus group (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

The morphological diversity of anuran larvae made them an important source of information for evolutionary and systematic studies. For the monotypic frog genus Lithodytes, which has an interesting taxonomic history, including its past synonymizing with Adenomera and its placement as a subgenus of Leptodactylus, the information provided from its larvae can help to understand its systematics interrelationships and also provide insights about its evolutionary trajectories. Herein, we provide a detailed description of the larval morphology of Lithodytes lineatus, including novel data of internal morphology (buccopharyngeal cavity and skeleton), and discuss some morphological and evolutionary aspects in relation to other members of the subfamily Leptodactylinae. Despite the overall similar larval morphology with others members of the subfamily, we identified four autapomorphic traits for Lithodytes and seven purported homoplastic traits with a subclade of the Leptodactylus pentadactylus species group that likely evolved convergently. Some of these traits have been previously associated with a carnivorous diet. Putative homoplastic and autapomorphic characters served as additional diagnostic traits for Lithodytes, supporting its recognition as a distinct genus within Leptodactylidae

Lighting spectra for the maximum colorfulness

The advent of modern solid-state sources enabled almost any spectrum for lighting and a wide range of possibilities in color rendering. The quality of the lighting has been typically evaluated by the color rendering index which measures how much the colors of objects illuminated by the light under test look similar to those produced when the objects are illuminated by the daylight or a conventional incandescent light. On the other hand, how colorful or vivid the colors under the illumination are perceived is also an important quality to evaluate lighting. We investigated, computationally, the spectral profiles of the illumination that maximizes the theoretical limit of the perceivable object colors. A large number of metamers with various degree of smoothness were generated using the Schmitt’s elements method at chromaticity points on and around the Planckian locus ranging from 2,222 K to 20,000 K. The general color rendering index (CRI) and MacAdam volumes in CIELAB color space were calculated for each metamer. The metamers maximizing the CRI had smoother spectra than the metamers maximizing the MacAdam volume. These results show that maximum colorfulness in nature can only be obtained with spectrally non-smooth illuminatio

An alternative conformation of ERβ bound to estradiol reveals H12 in a stable antagonist position

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOThe natural ligand 17β-estradiol (E2) is so far believed to induce a unique agonist-bound active conformation in the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the estrogen receptors (ERs). Both subtypes, ERα and ERβ, are transcriptionally activated in the presence o7FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2014/22007-02013/08293-72012/24750-6301981/2011-6This work was supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation FAPESP (grants 2014/22007-0, 2013/08293-7, 2012/24750-6) and by CNPq (grant 301981/2011-6

Response of estuarine meiofauna assemblage to effects of fertilizer enrichment used in the sugar cane monoculture. Pernambuco, Brazil

A aplicação in situ de fertilizantes inorgânicos foi utilizada para simular a eutrofização associada ao cultivo da cana-de-açúcar. A estrutura da associação de meiofauna foi analisada com o objetivo de avaliar este impacto. O experimento de enriquecimento do sedimento foi desenvolvido em nove áreas quadrangulares de 4m² distribuídas de forma aleatória no mediolitoral da área estuarina. Três áreas foram enriquecidas com alta concentração (375 g/m²) de NPK (Nitrogênio-Fósforo-Potássio), três com baixa concentração (187,5 g/m²) e as demais tratadas como controle. Os fertilizantes foram aplicados semanalmente. Os parâmetros físico-químicos do sedimento e a meiofauna bentônica foram coletados após três a quatro semanas da aplicação dos fertilizantes. Obedecendo este intervalo foram realizadas 6 amostragens subseqüentes. As amostras foram triadas e a meiofauna contada e identificada em nível de grande grupo. As respostas da meiofauna variaram de acordo com a área: enquanto a área Controle manteve sua abundância total durante todo o experimento, as áreas tratadas apresentaram forte queda nas densidades totais. A ordenação MDS e a análise ANOSIM evidenciaram mudanças significativas na estrutura da associação de meiofauna entre as áreas e também ao longo do experimento nas áreas tratadas.In situ application of inorganic fertilizer was used to simulate environmental eutrophication associated with the sugar cane monoculture. Meiofauna community structure is herein used to assess this experimental impact. Nine quadrangular areas (4m² each) were randomly defined in the midlittoral estuarine area. Three of these areas received a high dose of sugar cane fertilizer (375 g/m² Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium), three areas received a low dose of the fertilizer (187.5 g/m²) and the other three areas represented the control. The fertilizer was applied every week. Environmental parameters and meiofauna were sampled using three-to-four week intervals. Six samplings were subsequently performed maintaining this interval. Meiofauna was counted and identified to major taxonomic groups. Meiofauna community structure varied throughout the experimental areas. Control areas maintained their abundance values during the study period, but within the enriched areas meiofauna abundance decreased greatly. MDS and ANOSIM analysis showed significant variation in the meiofauna community structure among experimental areas and also along the experimental period in the enriched areas

Tool Condition Monitoring of Single-point Dressing Operation by Digital Signal Processing of AE and AI

Abstract This work aims at determining the right moment to stop single-point dressing the grinding wheel in order to optimize the grinding process as a whole. Acoustic emission signals and signal processing tools are used as primary approach. An acoustic emission (AE) sensor was connected to a signal processing module. The AE sensor was attached to the dresser holder, which was specifically built to perform dressing tests. In this work there were three types of test where the edit parameters of each dressing test are: the passes number, the dressing speed, the width of action of the dresser, the dressing time and the sharpness. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) technique is employed to classify and predict the best moment for stopping the dressing operation. During the ANNs use, the results from Supervised Neural Networks and Unsupervised Neural Networks are compared