Performance Improvements in Inner Product Encryption

Consider a database that contains thousands of entries of the iris biometric. Each entry identifies an individual, so it is especially important that it remains secure. However, searching for entries among an encrypted database proves to be a security problem - how should one search encrypted data without leaking any information to a potential attacker? The proximity searchable encryption scheme, as discussed in the work by Cachet et al., uses the notions of inner product encryption developed by Kim et al.. In this paper, we will focus on the efficiency of these schemes. Specifically, how the symmetry of the bilinear pairing group effects the time required to execute a search

HIV in New York City: An Overview of Cultural and Social Factors Contributing to an Individual\u27s Decision to Disclose Their Disease Status

will examine what effect cultural norms surrounding race and sexual orientation, as well as four specific social factors (alcohol use during sex, injection drug use, social support and the importance of religion) have on whether an HIV positive individual, specifically an urban homosexual male, chooses to disclose their disease status. This paper will discuss those cultural norms and social factors through the AIDS Risk Reduction Model, available literature, and the data collected by the National Institute of Mental Health for the Positive Connections intervention trial. The data for this paper were pulled from the larger study, and only the 171 HIV positive men from New York City were included in this study sample. Of those included in this sample population, 73.8 percent of whom identified as homosexual. The average age of these men, none of whom were Caucasian, was 42.1 years old. Of those surveyed, 38 percent were intoxicated during anal intercourse, 17 percent have injected drugs, roughly 60 percent had at least some social support, and for 66.1 percent religion plays at least some role in their lives. In total, 42 percent had disclosed their disease status to their primary partner. Data regarding various social factors contributing to disclosure can guide interventionists in adequately targeting the population they are trying to help, such as through social and religious networks. It is expected that increasing awareness of HIV and how to prevent it, will lead HIV positive individuals to openly discuss their disease status with their sexual partners and potentially their family and friends. Additionally, studying the rate of HIV disclosure in a city such as New York City, can provide insight into the cultural dynamic surrounding HIV in other large American cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston and Philadelphia

Meaningful Vocabulary Instruction: Bridging the Way to Comprehension

Beginning with Hart and Risley’s study that brought to the forefront a significant gap in word knowledge in students from a lower socioeconomic status, the importance of vocabulary instruction has been emphasized. Extensive research has long acknowledged that vocabulary knowledge plays a crucial role in reading comprehension. With the rigorous expectations of the CCSS, vocabulary has become an essential component of instruction. Consequently, this study, utilizing social constructivism as the theoretical framework, focused on determining the most effective strategies to enhance vocabulary instruction in order to bridge the gap between students who struggle with vocabulary learning and those who do not. We chose to examine the effect of morphology instruction on students whose limited receptive and expressive language prevented them from making significant gains in comprehension. Fifteen students from grades three and four received explicit instruction in the structure of words for eight weeks. Lessons focused on teaching word parts and reinforcing new words containing these word parts with daily review activities promoting active engagement and word consciousness. Results indicated that morphology instruction had an overall positive impact on word knowledge. The variation in students’ scores may be attributed to the need for additional strategies to be fostered in vocabulary acquisition, including wide reading, interactive read-alouds, and various word-learning strategies, because one strategy alone is insufficient for increasing students’ receptive and expressive vocabulary

DVT prophylaxis in relation to patient risk profiling – the TUNE-IN study

Background. Patients in acute hospital care show a high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE); 52% of patients globally are at risk, with approximately only half receiving appropriate prophylaxis. Objectives. The TUNE-IN study’s primary objective was to evaluate the use of VTE prophylaxis in the private sector in South Africa in hospitalised patients in relation to patient risk profile, via both a clinical assessment and utilising a modified risk assessment model (RAM). The secondary objective was to evaluate the relationship between prophylaxis and the level of mobility at discharge as well as on days 3, 7 and 14 post discharge. Results. Of the 608 patients enrolled, 54.1% were evaluated to be at risk for VTE clinically whilst, with RAM assessment, 74.6% were assessed at risk. Adequate prophylaxis was given to only 70.9% of all patients. Conclusion. Data appear to correlate with global findings (ENDORSE study): more than 50% of hospitalised patients are at risk for VTE. Clinical risk assessment does not correlate with RAM utilisation, resulting in possible over-diagnosis of VTE risk in lowand moderate-risk patients, with the converse happening in highand highest-risk patients. Certain risk groups are easily defined for VTE risk (e.g. major orthopaedic surgery), but individual risk assessment is crucial as it often reveals underlying and overlooked risk factors, with BMI and age the most frequently overlooked risk factors.S Afr Med J 2012;102:85-8

The use of VTE prophylaxis in relation to patient risk profiling(TUNE-IN) Wave 2 Study

KMBackground: The TUNE-IN (The Use of VTE prophylaxis in relatioN to patiEnt risk profiling) study evaluated venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment and prophylaxis in private medical and surgical inpatients in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The study concluded that of the 608 patients enrolled, 54.1% were clinically evaluated to be at risk for VTE. A VTE risk assessment model (RAM), the Caprini score, increased the rate to 74.6%. Objectives: TUNE-IN Wave 2, an extension of TUNE-IN, was conducted on a national level including the public sector, focusing on surgical inpatients. Methods. The study was a national, prospective, non-interventional, multisite, epidemiological disease registry enrolling 453 surgical inpatients. The perceived clinical VTE risk, VTE risk score on Caprini RAM, VTE prophylaxis and clinical details were documented during a baseline visit. A bleeding risk score was provided. Results: Of the cohort, 269 patients (59.4%) were assessed to be at risk for VTE before applying the RAM. All patients (100%), however, were at risk on the RAM score. Early mobilisation and assessment of the VTE risk as low were the most frequent reasons for non-prescription of prophylaxis. Only 15 patients in the private and 2 in the public sector were assessed as having a bleeding risk. Chemoprophylaxis differed between the healthcare sectors, with low-molecular-weight heparin predominating in the private sector and unfractionated heparin being prescribed only in the public sector. Conclusion: VTE risk assessment and prophylaxis need to improve in both the public and the private sectors. A formal RAM will improve identification of patients at risk of VTE