15 research outputs found
Semantic Security Invariance under Variant Computational Assumptions
No full textA game-based cryptographic proof is a relation that establishes equivalence between probabilistic sequences of actions by real and ideal world players. The author of a proof selects a hardness assumption system for their proof upon which to base their subsequent statements. In this paper, we prove the existence of proof-invariant transformations for varying hardness assumptions. We show that for two systems satisfying certain algebraic properties any proof in one system has an equivalent valid proof in the other. This validates Kurosawa’s remark about the existence of proof similarities.
Our result implies a correspondence between the Learning With Errors (LWE) problems and both the Elliptic Curve Discrete Log problem (ECDLP) and the Discrete Logarithm (DLOG) problem. To illustrate this result, we provide a series of example transformations in the appendix. The concrete result of this paper is a prototype proof translation tool
Lifting Standard Model Reductions to Common Setup Assumptions
No full textIn this paper, we show that standard model black-box reductions naturally lift to various setup assumptions, such as the random oracle (ROM) or ideal cipher model. Concretely, we prove that a black-box reduction from a security notion P to security notion Q in the standard model can be turned into a non-programmable black-box reduction from P_O to Q_O in a model with a setup assumption O, where P_O and Q_O are the natural extensions of P and Q to a model with a setup assumption O. Our results rely on a generalization of the recent framework by Hofheinz and Nguyen (PKC 2019) to support primitives which make use of a trusted setup. Our framework encompasses standard idealized settings like the random oracle and the ideal cipher model. At the core of our main result lie novel properties of negligible functions that can be of independent interest
Forty years on from Alma Ata: Present and future of Primary Health Care research
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Cambridge University Press via the DOI in this record
Spruille Braden : slayer of dragons right and left
No full textSpruille Braden is an enigmatic figure who has not been widely studied by historians. In fact no serious studies have appeared on the analysis of his career. Braden's Memoirs are available to the public; however, they must be read cautiously. The Memoirs contain no documentation and its veracity should, unfortunately, be questioned often. Perhaps part of the problem involves the fact that the author published the Memoirs in his seventy-seventh year. Despite this handicap there is a plentiful supply of primary sources by Braden which are readily accessible
How primary health care can make universal health coverage a reality, ensure healthy lives, and promote wellbeing for all
No full textThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevie
The incidence of place of death in Greek patients with cancer in 1995 and 2005
No full textPurpose: To describe where (home or hospital) patients with cancer die in Greece, in 1995 and 2005. Methods: We used data from patients with cancer, who died in Greece in 1995 and 2005, and we studied the location changes of death in the 3 major geographical areas of Greece (Macedonia: North Greece, Central Greece, and Crete: South Greece). Results: In Central Greece and Crete, death incidences for 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80+ age groups decreased from 1995 to 2005. In Crete, in 1995, male and female death incidences for 80+ age group dying at home was higher than the corresponding one dying in hospital. Conclusion: It seemed that in Greece, more cancer patients are dying in hospitals. Geographical and socioeconomic criteria might affect the place of death of a patient with cancer. © 2009 The Author(s)
Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Therapy for Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Scoping Review
No full textThis scoping review aimed to identify interventions utilizing virtual-reality-based exercise therapy in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Searches were conducted in four databases using descriptors related to virtual reality, exercise, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Two reviewers screened the titles and abstracts of the studies to assess eligibility, with a third author resolving any discrepancies. Data were extracted and summarized in a narrative format by three independent raters. Clinical trials were evaluated using the PEDro scale to assess the effectiveness of virtual-reality-based exercise therapy in chronic musculoskeletal pain patients. A total of 162 articles were identified from the databases. After applying the inclusion criteria, nine articles were considered suitable for analysis, including six randomized clinical trials. The selected articles were categorized based on study characteristics, virtual-reality-based exercise therapy interventions (including technologies and equipment used), exercise interventions, outcome measures, and effectiveness. The findings indicate that virtual-reality-based exercise therapy shows promising results in reducing pain, improving disability, enhancing range of motion, and increasing treatment satisfaction in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, it is not possible to conclude that virtual-reality-based exercise therapy is superior to other treatments due to the limited number of available studies, heterogeneity in application protocols, and varying methodological quality. Further research is needed to draw more definitive conclusions
Health-Promoting Effects of a Concurrent Workplace Training Program in Inactive Office Workers (HealPWorkers): A Randomized Controlled Study
No full textPurpose: To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the health-promoting effects of a daily supervised concurrent workplace training program in inactive office workers. The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 6-month workplace training program on health indices, musculoskeletal pains, functional capacity, and physical fitness in office workers. Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Four workplaces in the Region of Thessaly, Greece. Participants: A total of 36 office workers (≥6 hours/d, 5 days/wk) were randomly assigned to either a training group (TG; n = 18) or a control group (CG; n = 18). Intervention: The TG participated, every working day, in a 6-month supervised concurrent (flexibility, strength, balance, aerobic) training program (120 training sessions, 2 workouts/d of 15-20 minutes) that was implemented, in small groups, at the workplace during the work shift. The CG did not participate in any training. Measures: Health indices (body composition, blood pressure, respiratory function), musculoskeletal pains, functional capacity (flexibility, balance), and physical fitness (maximal strength, cardiorespiratory fitness) were measured before and after the completion of the program. After the completion of the program, participants’ enjoyment was assessed. Analysis: Two-way analysis of variance (group × time) with repeated measures on the “time” factor. Results: The statistical power, for all parameters, ranged from 0.85 to 0.94. Training group significantly increased lean body mass (3.81%); respiratory function (4.20%-4.53%); cervical, handgrip, back, and leg maximal strength (8.75%-26.55%); and functional capacity (19.71%-188.20%; P <.001-.01; Cohen’s effect size: 0.80-7.21), while significant reductions were observed on body fat (7.58%), blood pressure (4.99%-8.05%), heart rate (12.80%), and musculoskeletal pains (33.33%-100%; P <.001; Cohen’s effect size: 0.81-6.21). In CG, all the above variables did not change. Furthermore, a great percentage of workers (94.4%) reported high levels of enjoyment. Conclusion: The program “HealPWorkers” is an enjoyable exercise modality that may be safely and effectively used, to work settings, for the improvement of worker’s health, overall fitness, and functional capacity. © The Author(s) 2020
ProteoSign v2: A faster and evolved user-friendly online tool for statistical analyses of differential proteomics
No full textBottom-up proteomics analyses have been proved over the last years to be a powerful tool in the characterization of the proteome and are crucial for understanding cellular and organism behaviour. Through differential proteomic analysis researchers can shed light on groups of proteins or individual proteins that play key roles in certain, normal or pathological conditions. However, several tools for the analysis of such complex datasets are powerful, but hard-to-use with steep learning curves. In addition, some other tools are easy to use, but are weak in terms of analytical power. Previously, we have introduced ProteoSign, a powerful, yet user-friendly open-source online platform for protein differential expression/abundance analysis designed with the end-proteomics user in mind. Part of Proteosign's power stems from the utilization of the well-established Linear Models For Microarray Data (LIMMA) methodology. Here, we present a substantial upgrade of this computational resource, called ProteoSign v2, where we introduce major improvements, also based on user feedback. The new version offers more plot options, supports additional experimental designs, analyzes updated input datasets and performs a gene enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed proteins. We also introduce the deployment of the Docker technology and significantly increase the speed of a full analysis. ProteoSign v2 is available at http://bioinformatics.med.uoc.gr/ProteoSign. © 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research
The Ser96Ala variant in histidine-rich calcium-binding protein is associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
No full textAims: To investigate whether genetic variants of the histidine-rich calcium (HRC)-binding protein are associated with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its progression. Methods and results: We screened 123 idiopathic DCM patients and 96 healthy individuals by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing for genetic variants in HRC. Six polymorphisms were detected: Leu35Leu (A/G), Ser43Asn (G/A), Ser96Ala (T/G), Glu202_Glu203insGlu (-/GAG), Asp261del (GAT/-), and an in-frame insertion of 51 amino acids at His321. The analysis of their frequencies did not reveal any significant correlation with DCM development. However, the Ser96Ala polymorphism exhibited a statistically significant correlation with the occurrence of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. During a follow-up of 4.02 ± 2.4 years, the risk for ventricular arrhythmias was higher (HR, 9.620; 95% CI, 2.183-42.394; P = 0.003) in the Ala/Ala patients, compared with Ser/Ser homozygous patients. On multivariable Cox regression analysis, the Ser96Ala polymorphism was the only significant genetic arrythmogenesis predictor in DCM patients (HR, 4.191; 95% CI, 0.838-20.967; P = 0.018). Conclusion: The Ser96Ala genetic variant of HRC is associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in idiopathic DCM and may serve as an independent predictor of susceptibility to arrhythmogenesis in the setting of DCM. © The Author 2008
