Sound Computational Interpretation of Formal Encryption with Composed Keys

The formal and computational views of cryptography have been related by the seminal work of Abadi and Rogaway. In their work, a formal treatment of encryption that uses atomic keys is justified in the computational world. However, many proposed formal approaches allow the use of composed keys, where any arbitrary expression can be used as encryption key. We consider an extension of the formal model presented by Abadi and Rogaway, in which it is allowed to use composed keys in formal encryption. We then provide a computational interpretation for expressions that allow us to establish the computational soundness of formal encryption with composed keys

Factors influencing Agripreneurship and their role in Agripreneurship Performance among young Graduate Agripreneurs

Participation of young people in agriculture is not only needed towards addressing food security and youth unemployment challenges, but also critical in tackling issues of ageing farmers, technological and digital revolution in the agrifood sector, changing trends in food needs and consumption demands, and environmental changes and natural resource degradation. This paper argues for inclusive approach to involving youth in the expansive agrifood system, stressing the importance of young graduates (highly educated youth) participating in the agrifood sector, hence the need for steps to attract, support and retain them in the agrifood sector. Thus, this study sought to identify the factors that influence agripreneurship, and how these factors influence agripreneurship performance of young graduate agripreneurs. The study results and agripreneurship framework, emphasizes the need for a holistic (multilevel) examination and approach to agripreneurship; gender-sensitive, integrated and applied approach towards promoting and developing agripreneurship competencies among young graduates, which must include enhancing both enterprising traits and skills, and strong technical/professional business management competencies

Systematic review and stratified meta-analysis of the efficacy of carnosine in animal models of ischemic stroke

Carnosine is a naturally occurring pleotropic dipeptide which influences multiple deleterious mechanisms that are activated during stroke. Numerous published studies have reported that carnosine has robust efficacy in ischemic stroke models. To further evaluate these data, we have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies. We included publications describing in vivo models of ischemic stroke where the neuroprotective efficacy of carnosine was being evaluated through the reporting of infarct volume and/or neurological score as outcomes. Overall efficacy was evaluated using weighted mean difference random effects meta-analysis. We also evaluated for study quality and publication bias. We identified eight publications that met our inclusion criteria describing a total of 29 comparisons and 454 animals. Overall methodological quality of studies was moderate (median ¼ 4/9). Carnosine reduced infarct volume by 29.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 24.0% to 34.9%; 29 comparisons). A clear dose-response effect was observed, and efficacy was reduced when carnosine was administered more than 6 h after ischemia. Our findings suggest that carnosine administered before or after the onset of ischemia exhibits robust efficacy in experimental ischemic stroke. However, the methodological quality of some of the studies was low and testing occurred only in healthy young male animals