Privacy preserving distributed optimization using homomorphic encryption

This paper studies how a system operator and a set of agents securely execute a distributed projected gradient-based algorithm. In particular, each participant holds a set of problem coefficients and/or states whose values are private to the data owner. The concerned problem raises two questions: how to securely compute given functions; and which functions should be computed in the first place. For the first question, by using the techniques of homomorphic encryption, we propose novel algorithms which can achieve secure multiparty computation with perfect correctness. For the second question, we identify a class of functions which can be securely computed. The correctness and computational efficiency of the proposed algorithms are verified by two case studies of power systems, one on a demand response problem and the other on an optimal power flow problem.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figures, journa

The relationship between corporate social responsibility and firm performance in emerging economies: evidence from pharmaceutical Chinese firms

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has received increasing concern from both companies and the public. Prior scholars began to develop the concept of CSR in the 1950s, and until now there have been various CSR studies focusing on its principles, frameworks, and developments in the mature economies. However, researchers point out that differences in social, cultural and economic systems yield various perceptions and implementations of CSR issues. Scholars have currently turned their attention to explore CSR in the context of emerging economies. Because of growing demands for safe and reliable medication for the public, pharmaceutical companies are highly expected to manufacture their products in socially responsible ways. However, the great expenditures spent on medical research and development (R&D) and promotional activities limit their resources for CSR practices. If engagement in CSR activities cannot generate the growth of financial performance, these activities may be regarded as wasting of resources. Recent researchers claim that the relationship between CSR and firm performance is still not fully understood in the emerging economies and needs to be further investigated.A responsabilidade social empresarial (RSE) tem recebido atenção crescente, tanto por parte das empresas quanto do público. Os académicos começaram a desenvolver o conceito de RSE na década 50, do século passado, e tem havido vários estudos com foco nos seus princípios, estruturas e desenvolvimentos em economias maduras. No entanto, os investigadores salientam que as diferenças nos sistemas sociais, culturais e económicos geram perceções e implementações distintas em torno de vários aspetos da RSE. Atualmente, os académicos voltaram a sua atenção para a RSE no contexto das economias emergentes. Devido à procura crescente de medicamentos seguros e confiáveis para o público, espera-se que as empresas farmacêuticas fabriquem os seus produtos de maneira socialmente responsável. No entanto, os gastos avultados em investigação e desenvolvimento (I&D) na área médica e atividades promocionais limitam os seus recursos para atividades de RSE. Se o envolvimento em atividades de RSE não pode gerar melhorias no desempenho financeiro, as mesmas podem ser consideradas desperdício de recursos. Recentemente, investigadores afirmam que a relação entre a RSE e o desempenho da empresa ainda não é totalmente compreendida nas economias emergentes e precisa de ser mais investigada

On privacy preserving data release of linear dynamic networks

Distributed data sharing in dynamic networks is ubiquitous. It raises the concern that the private information of dynamic networks could be leaked when data receivers are malicious or communication channels are insecure. In this paper, we propose to intentionally perturb the inputs and outputs of a linear dynamic system to protect the privacy of target initial states and inputs from released outputs. We formulate the problem of perturbation design as an optimization problem which minimizes the cost caused by the added perturbations while maintaining system controllability and ensuring the privacy. We analyze the computational complexity of the formulated optimization problem. To minimize the $\ell_0$ and $\ell_2$ norms of the added perturbations, we derive their convex relaxations which can be efficiently solved. The efficacy of the proposed techniques is verified by a case study on a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, journa

Approaching Logos among Reason, Rationality, and Reasonableness

Logos, generally regarded as the basic principle of the operating world, seems to be closely tied up with development of human being. With the evolutionary history of human, logos evolves into three different dimensional expressions, namely reason, rationality, and reasonableness. In different historical periods, each expression of logos has their own glory days respectively. In the age of ancient Greek sages, reason referred to the whole range of subjects from geometry argumentation to rhetoric. Later on, there emerged a superiority on theoretical abstraction and logical deduction, which was called the dictatorship of rationality. Yet it was found that the bureaucratization of learning had created as many problems as it solved. In recent decades, the years had seen a revived interest in substantial arguments in medical ethics, ecology, and other practical fields. However, we are not inclined to regard reasonableness as a way that it can cure once and for all the crisis of our times. Based on the imperfection of each variant and indeterminacy of the topic, we attempt to track back to logos in a more comprehensive perspective, corresponding to diversity of human activities and modern social production way of life