The effect of augmented virtuality on financial decision-making among adults and children

Virtual Reality - The current research examined whether users of an augmented virtuality (AV) system, in which real coins and a real coin machine are integrated within a virtual system, will be...     

Participation in class and in online discussions: Gender differences

Gender differences between participation in face-to-face and web-based classroom discussions were examined, by comparing the men–women actual participation ratio to the men–women attendance (or login) ratio. It was found that men over-proportionally spoke at the face-to-face classroom whereas women over-proportionally posted messages in the web-based conference. Two alternative explanations are discussed. It is suggested that either women prefer written communication more than men do, or that women prefer written communication over spoken communication. Nonetheless, despite some advantages of virtual discussions, especially for women, the online environment is apparently not attractive enough for either gender.     

The Hunting of the SNARK

The existence of succinct non-interactive arguments for NP (i.e., non-interactive computationally sound proofs where the verifier’s work is essentially independent of the complexity of the NP non-deterministic verifier) has been an intriguing question for the past two decades. Other than CS proofs in the random oracle model (Micali in SIAM J Comput 30(4):1253–1298, 2000), prior to our work the only existing candidate construction is based on an elaborate assumption that is tailored to a specific protocol (Di Crescenzo and Lipmaa in Proceedings of the 4th conference on computability in Europe, 2008). We formulate a general and relatively natural notion of an extractable collision-resistant hash function (ECRH) and show that, if ECRHs exist, then a modified version of Di Crescenzo and Lipmaa’s protocol is a succinct non-interactive argument for NP. Furthermore, the modified protocol is actually a succinct non-interactive adaptive argument of knowledge (SNARK). We then propose several candidate constructions for ECRHs and relaxations thereof. We demonstrate the applicability of SNARKs to various forms of delegation of computation, to succinct non-interactive zero-knowledge arguments, and to succinct two-party secure computation. Finally, we show that SNARKs essentially imply the existence of ECRHs, thus demonstrating the necessity of the assumption. Going beyond \(\hbox {ECRH}\)s, we formulate the notion of extractable one-way functions (\(\hbox {EOWF}\)s). Assuming the existence of a natural variant of \(\hbox {EOWF}\)s, we construct a two-message selective-opening-attack-secure commitment scheme and a three-round zero-knowledge argument of knowledge. Furthermore, if the \(\hbox {EOWF}\)s are concurrently extractable, the three-round zero-knowledge protocol is also concurrent zero knowledge. Our constructions circumvent previous black-box impossibility results regarding these protocols by relying on \(\hbox {EOWF}\)s as the non-black-box component in the security reductions.     

pH effects on BSA-dispersed carbon nanotubes studied by spectroscopy-enhanced composition evaluation techniques

Dispersion and exfoliation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) by water soluble dispersants such as surfactant, polymer or protein is a key step toward the application of carbon nanotubes in composite materials, biochemical and biomedical applications. Upon dispersion, the solution phase separates into dispersed nanotubes in the supernatant and a precipitate phase including carbonaceous impurities but also nanotubes and dispersants. Yet, simple but accurate tools for measuring the concentrations of the constituents are not available. In most studies a comparison between CNT suspensions is based on ocular observation or on UV-visible measurement of a featureless spectrum at single wavelength. Such measurements are complex since both nanotubes and most dispersants absorb along the whole UV-visible spectrum and an overlap of their signals occurs. In this paper we employ chemometric techniques to evaluate the pH effect on the concentration of both dispersant (protein-bovine serum albumin, BSA) and single-wall nanotube (SWNT) from a full UV-visible spectrum of aqueous solutions. We find strong correlation between the conformation of the protein and its dispersion efficiency.     

Several basic and practical aspects related to electrochemical deionization of water

We examine water desalination processes based on the electrosorption of ions onto activated carbon electrodes (capacitive deionization, CDI). A flow‐by operation mode was used (solutions flows within channels in the separator, parallel to the electrodes) in both continuous and stopped flow experiments. The different response of solutions containing more than 5000 ppm NaCl and dilute solutions (e.g., 1000 ppm NaCl) to the applied potential is discussed. The electrical current transients on potential steps were faster by two orders of magnitude than the resulting concentration transients due to the dynamics of these deionization processes and the properties of the cells used herein. Guidelines for the practical development of capacitive water deionization processes are discussed herein. It is assumed that for brackish water containing several thousands ppms of NaCl, CDI may be advantageous over competitive methods (e.g., reverse osmosis). © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010     

Flash-boiling atomization

Flash-boiling atomization is one of the most effective means of generating a fine and narrow-dispersed spray. Owing to its complexity its potential has not been fully realized to date. The paper reviews the present knowledge of the different mechanisms involved in the flash-boiling atomization process. These include intense nucleation, fast bubbles’ growth and liquid atomization. The inter-relationships between the distinctive processes determine the spray quality. Recent experimental observations and physical interpretations have improved our insight and led to better understanding of the whole process. One practical result is the establishment of design criteria for an optimal flash-boiling atomizing system.     

Avoiding the approach trap: A response bias theory of the emotional Stroop effect.

In the laboratory, people classify the color of emotion-laden words slower than they do that of neutral words, the emotional Stroop effect. Outside the laboratory, people react to features of emotion-laden stimuli or threatening stimuli faster than they do to those of neutral stimuli. A possible resolution to the conundrum implicates the counternatural response demands imposed in the laboratory that do not, as a rule, provide for avoidance in the face of threat. In 2 experiments we show that when such an option is provided in the laboratory, the response latencies follow those observed in real life. These results challenge the dominant attention theory offered for the emotional Stroop effect because this theory is indifferent to the vital approach–avoidance distinction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Supporting agile software development through active documentation

Agile development processes are adaptive rather than predictive. Therefore, agile processes emphasize operational system code rather than its documentation. To overcome the absence of comprehensive documentation artifacts, agile methods require constant interaction between the system stakeholders. Ironically, however, some traditional documentation artifacts come to support this kind of interaction. In this study, we examine the relationship between software and documentation. We develop an approach that enables incorporating domain documentation to agile development, while keeping the processes adaptive. We also provide a system design that actively uses domain knowledge documentation. These ideas have been applied through the implementation and use of agile documentation support components.