Simplifying Game-Based Definitions: Indistinguishability up to Correctness and Its Application to Stateful AE

Often the simplest way of specifying game-based cryptographic definitions is apparently barred because the adversary would have some trivial win. Disallowing or invalidating these wins can lead to complex or unconvincing definitions. We suggest a generic way around this difficulty. We call it indistinguishability up to correctness, or IND|C. Given games G and H and a correctness condition C we define an advantage measure Adv_{G,H,C}^indc wherein G/H distinguishing attacks are effaced to the extent that they are inevitable due to C. We formalize this in the language of oracle silencing, an alternative to exclusion-style and penalty-style definitions. We apply our ideas to a domain where game-based definitions have been cumbersome: stateful authenticated-encryption (sAE). We rework existing sAE notions and encompass new ones, like replay-free AE permitting a specified degree of out-of-order message delivery

Correlation Between Serum C-Reactive Protein And Cystatin C In Patients With Acute Cerebral Infarction And Carotid Artery Stenosis

To investigate the correlation between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum cystatin C (Cys-C) levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction and carotid artery stenosis. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2016 admitted to our hospital new acute cerebral infarction parallel neck vascular color Doppler ultrasound examination showed 121 cases of carotid stenosis as the case group; select the same period of hospitalized patients with non-cerebrovascular disease in 50 cases As a control group. Fasting venous blood was collected on the third day after onset of the disease and serum levels of CRP and Cys-C were measured and compared. Results: Serum levels of CRP and Cys-C in case group were significantly higher than those in control group (P <0.05). The correlation between serum CRP and Cys-C was found in any pairwise comparison (r = 0.4732). The level of CRP and Cys-C were closely related to the degree of carotid artery stenosis (P <0.05). Conclusion: The combined detection of serum CRP and Cys-C levels can be used to evaluate the degree of carotid artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction and provide a reference for the next carotid endarterectomy

Early methodist experience: some prototypical accounts

A great many 20th century studies of 18th century Methodism concern John Wesley himself, and even those which promise to tell you about early Methodist beliefs and activities often turn out to be largely based on Wesley’s alone. Few have concerned themselves with the humble folk who followed him. Yet it is impossible properly to understand even why Wesley himself believed and behaved in the way he did without taking account of the minds and desires of his disciples

Effects of Behavioral Interventions for Salt Reduction on Blood Pressure and Urinary Sodium Excretion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition, with excessive sodium intake being a significant risk factor. Various studies have investigated measures to reduce salt intake, including integrated lifestyle interventions and health education. However, the effectiveness of behavioral interventions focused solely on salt reduction remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of a behavioral intervention based on salt reduction on blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion. A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science was conducted to identify relevant literature. Study and intervention characteristics were extracted for descriptive synthesis, and the quality of the included studies was assessed. A total of 10 studies, comprising 4,667 participants (3,796 adults and 871 children), were included. The interventions involved the provision of salt-restriction spoons or devices, salt-reduction education, self-monitoring devices for urinary sodium, and salt-reduction cooking classes. Meta-analysis results showed that behavioral interventions focused on salt reduction significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (–1.17 mmHg; 95% CI, –1.86 to –0.49), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (–0.58 mmHg; 95% CI, –1.07 to –0.08) and urinary sodium excretion (–21.88 mmol/24 hours; 95% CI, –32.12 to –11.64). These findings suggest that behavioral change interventions centered on salt reduction can effectively lower salt intake levels and decrease blood pressure levels. However, to enhance effectiveness, behavioral interventions for salt reduction should be combined with other salt-reduction strategies