On Constant-Round Concurrent Zero-Knowledge from a Knowledge Assumption

In this work, we consider the long-standing open question of constructing constant-round concurrent zero-knowledge protocols in the plain model. Resolving this question is known to require non-black-box techniques. We consider non-black-box techniques for zero-knowledge based on knowledge assumptions, a line of thinking initiated by the work of Hada and Tanaka (CRYPTO 1998). Prior to our work, it was not known whether knowledge assumptions could be used for achieving security in the concurrent setting, due to a number of significant limitations that we discuss here. Nevertheless, we obtain the following results: 1. We obtain the first constant round concurrent zero-knowledge argument for \textbf{NP} in the plain model based on a new variant of knowledge of exponent assumption. Furthermore, our construction avoids the inefficiency inherent in previous non-black-box techniques such that those of Barak (FOCS 2001); we obtain our result through an efficient protocol compiler. 2. Unlike Hada and Tanaka, we do not require a knowledge assumption to argue the soundness of our protocol. Instead, we use a discrete log like assumption, which we call Diffie-Hellman Logarithm Assumption, to prove the soundness of our protocol. 3. We give evidence that our new variant of knowledge of exponent assumption is in fact plausible. In particular, we show that our assumption holds in the generic group model. 4. Knowledge assumptions are especially delicate assumptions whose plausibility may be hard to gauge. We give a novel framework to express knowledge assumptions in a more flexible way, which may allow for formulation of plausible assumptions and exploration of their impact and application in cryptography.Comment: 30 pages, 3 figure

Using Social Media In Higher Education: Enhancing Students’ Learning And Engagement

Social Networking Websites such as Youtube, Twitter and Facebook are an important part of college students’ lives. The purpose of this study is to examine how incorporating social media into teaching process can contribute to students’ learning, engagement, and their academic performance. Primary Data is collected through an online pre-test and post-test survey administered to a sample of 90 Daulat Ram College students (45 in the experimental group and 45 in the control group). With the experimental group, social media is used for various types of academic and co-curricular discussions. Engagement was measured using a 24-item scale based on the National Survey of Student Engagement. The two group’s differences in engagement and marks are analyzed using fixed effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) model (using statistical software SPSS).This study addresses the following Research HypothesisH1: Encouraging the use of Social media for educationally relevant purposes has positive impact on marks of students (Academic Performance)?H2: Encouraging the use of social media for educationally relevant purposes has positive impact on students’ engagement?This paper investigates the acceptability of social media for collaborative learning and the possibility of using it as an effective teaching tool

Peer Pressure of Publishing or Perishing (PPPP)

Researchers create or improvise knowledge by innovating concepts, methods and/or interpretations. Scientific research and scientific writing seem to be inseparable in this modern world for professional existence. Publications are important to give a thrust and positive boost up in your career. Since last decade, research has taken a new horizon. Medical schools and universities frequently use the quantification of publication as the measure of a scholar’s academic competency. Publications are an essential and sometimes the sole criteria considered during recruitments. The numerical value of the published work is taking a leap step ahead of the quality of research.  Scholars, who do not have the aptitude of publishing frequently or who focus more on their clinical work and teaching activities to shape up the undergraduates’ and postgraduates’ future, may find themselves out of this professional race. Each individual faculty of the medical institutions is unique research scholar. There is an upcoming trend that unless they pen down their research, they will be undervalued in the academic workplace. This undue “Peer Pressure of Publishing or Perishing” is floating as the new “Catch Phrase” of the professional era

Performance Analysis of Post Compensated Long Haul High Speed Coherent Optical OFDM System

This paper addresses the performance analysis of OFDM transmission system based on coherent detection over high speed long haul optical links with high spectral efficiency modulation formats such as Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) as a mapping method prior to the OFDM multicarrier representation. Post compensation is used to compensate for phase noise effects. Coherent detection for signal transmitted at bit rate of 40 Gbps is successfully achieved up to distance of 3200km. Performance is analyzed in terms of Symbol Error Rate and Error Vector Magnitude by varying Optical Signal to Noise Ratio (OSNR) and varying the length of the fiber i.e transmission distance. Transmission performance is also observed through constellation diagrams at different transmission distances and different OSNRs

MANAGEMENT OF ACROMEGALY WITH AYURVEDA- A CASE STUDY

Acromegaly is a disease caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone by pituitary gland due to tumour (adenoma). Excessive secretion of growth hormone causes disfigurement and if this affects internal organs it may cause even death. Management of Acromegaly by contemporary medicine is not very successful as surgery (in non- permissible conditions), radiation therapy and use of somatostatin analog, growth hormone antagonist etc., all have limited role and are not able to annihilate the disease. The paper gives the description of a known case of Acromegaly presented with all the cardinal sign and symptoms along with major complications (venous obstruction, loss of peripheral vision, etc.). The patient was taking contemporary medicines from the starting of appearance of sign of disease but didnt get any significant relief therefore he came to seek Ayurvedic treatment. The patient was managed with Ayurvvedic medicines and Panchakarma procedure including Shirodhara for duration of 15 days. Total two sitting of Shirodhara were given one month apart showed considerable improvement in all the presenting symptoms. The increasing sole size, diminished vision and excessive sweating were remarkably reduced with the improvement of overall well being of the patient

A Rare Presentation of Pellet Injury in the Neck

Penetrating neck injuries are dangerous and deserve emergency treatment by virtue of the vital structures present underneath. There is a potential risk of unrecognized vascular injury and retained foreign bodies with their associated complications in these wounds. Therefore, an early diagnostic workup to localize the site of injury and an immediate neck exploration are important

Herpes simplex virus encephalitis in an 8 years old with normal cerebrospinal fluid and negative herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction - A clinical and radiological diagnosis

Herpes simplex encephalitis is known to cause significant morbidity and mortality both in children and adults. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for herpes simplex virus (HSV) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the diagnostic modality accepted worldwide. However, a negative CSF HSV PCR result should always be interpreted in the context of the timing of specimen collection and also considering the clinical picture. We report a case of HSV encephalitis in an 8-year-old male child whose initial CSF picture was normal and CSF for HSV PCR was also negative. However, the magnetic resonance imaging brain findings and clinical profile along with a marked response to acyclovir therapy started very early in the course of illness left little doubts about the diagnosis

A rare case of asymptomatic axial rotation of the gravid term uterus by 180 degrees

Some degree rotation of the gravid uterus in pregnancy is not an abnormal finding.However, extreme uterine torsion of 180 degrees around its cervical junction is a relatively rare event in obstetrics. Most women undergoing atorsion present with symptoms. Here, we report a rare case of asymptomatic uterine torsion detected at laparotomy for an emergency cesarean sectiondue to transverse lie in labor. As derotation of the gravid term uterus was not possible, a transverse incision in the lower posterior uterine segment was given. The clinical challenge of uterine torsion lies in its non-specific clinical course and rarity of this condition makes the preoperative diagnosis difficult

A comparative study of the technical feasibility of complete salpingectomy versus tubal ligation as a method of tubal sterilisation during caesarean delivery

Background: Recent theory on ovarian malignancy suggests its origin from primary foci in fallopian tubes. Prophylactic salpingectomy may benefit in risk reduction of ovarian cancer. The aim of the study was to compare the feasibility of complete salpingectomy with bilateral tubal ligation was made during caesarean delivery in women desirous of permanent sterilisation.Methods: We conducted a prospective interventional randomized control study in department of obstetrics and gynaecology, ESI-PGIMSR Basaidarapur, New Delhi from October 2018 to February 2021. 70 women participated in this study desiring permanent sterilisation during caesarean delivery. Patients were randomized into two groups who either underwent bilateral tubal ligation [group A (N=35)] or complete bilateral salpingectomy [group B (N=35)].Results: Procedure was completed in 91% patients in group A and 77% in group B (p >0.05) making both the procedures feasible.  Total operative time (min) in group A and B were 47 and 55 respectively (p<0.01). Mean sterilisation procedure time (min) in group A was 5 and group B was 6 (p=0.13). No significant difference was seen in intra-operative blood loss (400 ml in group A vs 300 ml in group B), percentage decrease in post-op haemoglobin (g/dl) (4.56±2.96 in group A vs 3.91±2.7 in group B), post-operative serum Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels (ng/ml) (group A-0.965±0.12 vs 0.7±0.09 in group B) in the two groups.Conclusions: Salpingectomy as an alternative to tubal ligation should be discussed with suitable patients desirous of permanent sterilisation during caesarean delivery.