University of Haifa

About: University of Haifa is a education organization based out in Haifa, Israel. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 7558 authors who have published 27141 publications receiving 711629 citations. The organization is also known as: Haifa University & Universiṭat Ḥefah.

Algorithms for the Split Variational Inequality Problem

Abstract: We propose a prototypical Split Inverse Problem (SIP) and a new variational problem, called the Split Variational Inequality Problem (SVIP), which is a SIP. It entails finding a solution of one inverse problem (e.g., a Variational Inequality Problem (VIP)), the image of which under a given bounded linear transformation is a solution of another inverse problem such as a VIP. We construct iterative algorithms that solve such problems, under reasonable conditions, in Hilbert space and then discuss special cases, some of which are new even in Euclidean space.

An Efficient Protocol for Secure Two-Party Computation in the Presence of Malicious Adversaries

Abstract: Check if we can apply Woodruff's method to our protocol. We show an efficient secure two-party protocol, based on Yao's construction, which provides security against malicious adversaries. Yao's original protocol is only secure in the presence of semi-honest adversaries. Security against malicious adversaries can be obtained by applying the compiler of Goldreich, Micali and Wigderson (the "GMW compiler"). However, this approach does not seem to be very practical as it requires using generic zero-knowledge proofs. Our construction is based on applying cut-and-choose techniques to the original circuit and inputs. Security is proved according to the ideal/real simulation paradigm, and the proof is in the standard model (with no random oracle model or common reference string assumptions). The resulting protocol is computationally efficient: the only usage of asymmetric cryptography is for running O(1) oblivious transfers for each input bit (or for each bit of a statistical security parameter, whichever is larger). Our protocol combines techniques from folklore (like cut-and-choose) along with new techniques for efficiently proving consistency of inputs. We remark that a naive implementation of the cut-and-choose technique with Yao's protocol does notyield a secure protocol. This is the first paper to show how to properly implement these techniques, and to provide a full proof of security. Our protocol can also be interpreted as a constant-round black-box reduction of secure two-party computation to oblivious transfer and perfectly-hiding commitments, or a black-box reduction of secure two-party computation to oblivious transfer alone, with a number of rounds which is linear in a statistical security parameter. These two reductions are comparable to Kilian's reduction, which uses OT alone but incurs a number of rounds which is linear in the depth of the circuit [18].

Refining our Understanding of Traumatic Growth in the Face of Terrorism: Moving from Meaning Cognitions to Doing what is Meaningful

Abstract: Recent studies related to global terrorism have suggested the potential of posttraumatic growth (PTG) following experiences of terror exposure. However, investigations of whether psychological distress is reduced or increased by PTG in other trauma contexts have been inconsistent. Results from our studies conducted in New York following the attacks of 11 September 2001 and in Israel during recent tumultuous periods of violence and terrorism, the Al Aqsa Intifada, have found posttraumatic growth to be related to greater psychological distress, more right-wing political attitudes, and support for retaliatory violence. Only when individuals were deeply involved in translating growth cognitions to growth actions in our research on the forced disengagement of settlers from Gaza did we find positive benefit in posttraumatic growth. Findings are considered within the framework of a new formulation of action-focused growth. De recentes recherches en rapport avec le terrorisme international ont souligne le potentiel du developpement post-traumatique (PTG) decoulant de la confrontation a la terreur. Toutefois, les travaux cherchant a savoir si la detresse psychologique etait attenuee ou accentuee par le PTG dans d’autres contextes traumatiques se sont reveles contradictoires. Nos investigations a New York apres l’attentat du 11 septembre 2001 et en Israel durant des periodes recentes de violence et de terrorisme, la seconde Intifada, ont montre que le developpement post-traumatique etait plutot liea une grande detresse psychologique, a des opinions politiques de droite et a une attente de represailles. On a observe lors du demenagement obligatoire des colons de Gaza que ce n’est que lorsque les individus etaient profondement impliques dans la transformation des cognitions de developpement en actions de developpement que le developpement post-traumatique avait des retombees positives. Ces resultats sont apprehendes dans le cadre d’une nouvelle approche du developpement centre sur l’action.