Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB): Open Journal Systems
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Accelerating NTT with RISC-V Vector Extension for Fully Homomorphic Encryption
No full textFully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) has gained increasing importance mainly due to its potential use in privacy-preserving cloud computing. This privacy stems from the computation being directly performed on data that is encrypted by the client. However, FHE comes with a major cost regarding computational requirements. When compared to processing in the unencrypted domain, the time it takes can be up to four orders of magnitude higher, which is particularly inconvenient for applications with time constraints. Hence, accelerating FHE is a major research line, by leveraging different mathematical schemes and algorithms to the use of specialized hardware accelerators targeting the most time-consuming operations. This paper targets the optimization of FHE by leveraging vectorized implementations in RISC-V processors, using the RISC-V Vector (RVV) extension. In particular, it implements and accelerates the Open-Source FHE library, OpenFHE, optimizing its Number Theoretic Transform (NTT) and the Inverse-NTT (INTT) components. In this library, different FHE algorithms (BGV, BFV, CKKS) were analyzed, optimized, and tested. For the NTT and INTT operations, a maximum speedup of 27.05x was obtained. Furthermore, for a multiplication with bootstrapping benchmark program in OpenFHE, a speedup of 1.94x for the CKKS scheme was attained. Additionally, neural network benchmarks exhibit a speedup of over 1.69x
Action unity of consciousness
No full textTwo kinds of behavioral dissociation are distinctive of the so-called split-brain phenomenon and first motivated the thought that split-brain consciousness might be structurally dual, with each cerebral hemisphere associated with a distinct stream or sphere of consciousness. One of these behavioral dissociations, however, tends to diminish in observed frequency and severity over time. What implications does this have for the debate over the structure of split-brain consciousness? Some neuroscientists have recently argued that motoric information remains interhemispherically integrated and that this shows that split-brain consciousness is unitary after all. This paper argues that an account of conscious unity grounded in that sort of integration would look quite different from the most familiar accounts of conscious unity. It proposes a new kind of unity relation that might persist after split-brain surgery and then considers whether this relation is a genuine kind of conscious unity
«Feines molt random!»: l\u27adaptació flexiva de nombre en adjectius manllevats en català i espanyol
Full text linkIn this paper we analyze the inflectional adaptation of number of several adjectival loanwords in Catalan and Spanish. Based on a corpus of print and digital press, we quantify the forms with a plural marker (-s) and those which remain invariable. According to the Natural Morphology principles of uniformity, transparency, iconicity and system-congruity, the adjectival loanwords should adopt a plural marker. However, both in Catalan and Spanish, the respective language academies suggest the invariability of number in these cases. Indeed, the analyzed forms do not usually present a plural marker, especially in occurrences with a consonantal ending. The results, therefore, agree with the academy recommendations and contravene the naturalness principles, given the lack of iconicity or syncretism that singular and plural forms usually display.In this paper we analyze the inflectional adaptation of number of several adjectival loanwords in Catalan and Spanish. Based on a corpus of print and digital press, we quantify the forms with a plural marker (-s) and those which remain invariable. According to the Natural Morphology principles of uniformity, transparency, iconicity and system-congruity, the adjectival loanwords should adopt a plural marker. However, both in Catalan and Spanish, the respective language academies suggest the invariability of number in these cases. Indeed, the analyzed forms do not usually present a plural marker, especially in occurrences with a consonantal ending. The results, therefore, agree with the academy recommendations and contravene the naturalness principles, given the lack of iconicity or syncretism that singular and plural forms usually display
Pedagogia contra caciquisme: La farsa, d\u27Àngel Guimerà
No full textLa farsa was premiered at the Romea theatre on January 31, 1899, but, as it is demonstrated in the article, was conceived at least in 1892. Despite its dramatic nature, Àngel Guimerà presents this work as a «comedy», among other reasons, to enhance its explicit satire of the political system of the Restoration, especially of caciquism and electoral fraud. In a contemporary Catalan urban setting and by means of an honest teacher whom a cacique wants to manipulate, the relationship between intellectuals and society is also considered. Guimera’s perspective is that of the Lliga de Catalunya (League of Catalonia), which was part of Unió Catalanista (Catalanist Union), but with a personal vision, ethical and deliberately idealistic. It is embodied through his characteristic theatrical resources, beyond the most conventional political theater. The reception of the work, despite the acceptance of the public and the praises for the performance, was mixed, often depending above all on ideological issues, but also on the assessment of the verisimilitude, particularly of the teacher character.La farsa was premiered at the Romea theatre on January 31, 1899, but, as it is demonstrated in the article, was conceived at least in 1892. Despite its dramatic nature, Àngel Guimerà presents this work as a «comedy», among other reasons, to enhance its explicit satire of the political system of the Restoration, especially of caciquism and electoral fraud. In a contemporary Catalan urban setting and by means of an honest teacher whom a cacique wants to manipulate, the relationship between intellectuals and society is also considered. Guimera’s perspective is that of the Lliga de Catalunya (League of Catalonia), which was part of Unió Catalanista (Catalanist Union), but with a personal vision, ethical and deliberately idealistic. It is embodied through his characteristic theatrical resources, beyond the most conventional political theater. The reception of the work, despite the acceptance of the public and the praises for the performance, was mixed, often depending above all on ideological issues, but also on the assessment of the verisimilitude, particularly of the teacher character
Teaching Specific Philosophical Methods for Critical Thinking
Full text linkThis article gives examples of how material from the history of philosophy can provide conceptual resources for specific philosophical methods. The emphasis of the article is on methods of critical thinking. A didactic transformation with a problem-oriented focus and a two-stage process of elementarization is introduced to develop specific philosophical methods that are appropriate for teaching in schools. The aim is that students eventually will be able to use these methods themselves. This didactic transformation is demonstrated by looking at examples of two methods, namely genealogy and immanent critique, and it is finally summed up in a typology of methods and their corresponding problems and solutions
Ancient Anecdotes about Philosophers as a Medium for the History and Teaching of Philosophy
Full text linkThis article examines the philosophical and educational value of ancient anecdotes about philosophers. While traditionally marginalized in modern academic histories of philosophy, such anecdotes represent a distinct genre shaped by orality and designed for communicative recontextualization. Drawing on historical reflections from Nietzsche and later developments in the reception of anecdotal material, the article argues for a reconsideration of anecdotes not only as vehicle of cultural memory that deserve attention from historians of philosophy, but also as stimuli for philosophical reflection and pedagogical innovation. It explores the formal and substantive characteristics of the genre, its potential to mediate philosophical themes through narration, and its capacity to provoke reflective engagement in educational contexts. Finally, the article proposes classroom applications based on creative recontextualization and transformation, demonstrating how anecdotes can be meaningfully integrated into philosophy teaching to enhance critical thinking and metaphilosophical reflection
Teaching as Transcendence: Hypatia, Theano, and the Didactic Potential of Film in the Philosophy Classroom
Full text linkThis article investigates how teaching functioned as a mode of philosophical self-transcendence for women in Greco-Roman antiquity, focusing on Hypatia of Alexandria and Theano of Croton. Drawing on social construct theory (Hacking, 1999; Butler, 1990), feminist epistemology (Code, 1991; Fricker, 2007) and the idea of philosophy as a way of life (Hadot, 2002), the article explores how these thinkers constructed intellectual authority despite systemic exclusion. Using Agora (2009) and Hidden Figures (2016), the article demonstrates how film can serve as a philosophical medium that visualises epistemic injustice and the performative construction of knowledge. A detail lesson series is presented to support the philosophical use of film in secondary and university-level classrooms. Teaching, it is argued, remains a transformative practice for reclaiming epistemic agency and challenging the exclusionary boundaries of philosophy.
Introduction to the Special Issue on the History of Philosophy and Its Significance for Educational Practice
Full text linkEvidence of Early Bronze Age Metallurgy from the Ancient Sites of Varzaneh Plain (Isfahan), Considering Mineralogical, Chemical, and Provenance Studies
No full textThe Varzaneh Plain is rich in ancient sites from various periods, ranging from the Early Bronze Age II (2700- 2200 BC) to the Islamic middle centuries. Among the 268 sites surveyed, 79 contained slag and metal fragments, indicating the prevalence of metal smelting activities in this region. Two sites from the Early Bronze Age (nos. 013 and 051) yielded significant evidence of slag, crucibles, metal objects, and litharge. This period marks a peak of prosperity for the Varzaneh Plain, contrasting with the relative decline of nearby ancient sites such as Sialk and Arisman. The analysis of metal materials from the archaeological investigation and excavations, using a polarizing light microscope (with reflected light), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDX), revealed that the metal smelting used copper sulphide deposits as raw resources. XRF scanning shows the presence of As, Ni, Pb, and Ag as accessory elements. These results, along with the lead isotope test, provide strong evidence for the connection between the metal products of the Varzaneh Plain and the mines of Nakhlak (Pb-Zn-Ag) in the vicinity of the Anarak City and Darhand copper occurrence in Karkas Mountain.
Traces of Early Indian Peninsular Metallurgy: Iron, Low-Tin Bronze, and Lead
No full textMetallographic and compositional analyses of several ferrous and non-ferrous objects from recent Megalithic excavations in south- central India provide new albeit limited insights into regional metalworking practices. A heavily worked but functionally enigmatic lead object containing minor tin, points to the recycling of available lead sources. In contrast, a low-tin bronze wire, marked by sulphide and lead inclusions, reflects the use of freshly smelted metal. All the iron implements were made from bloomery steel of medium carbon content, with slag inclusions characteristic of the bloomery process, and their preserved microstructures documenting Megalithic craftsmanship. Taken together, these results reveal a community proficient in working a variety of metals, from recycled lead to freshly smelted bronze and bloomery steel. At present, the broader cultural interpretation remains constrained by the scarcity of comparative material from the wider region, especially for the non-ferrous objects. More studies are necessary to provide a basis on which future isotopic studies can be built, for tracing the geological origins of these metals and placing Megalithic south-central India more firmly within broader technological and exchange networks.