scholarly journals Information Leakages in Code-based Masking: A Unified Quantification Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 465-495
Author(s):  
Wei Cheng ◽  
Sylvain Guilley ◽  
Claude Carlet ◽  
Jean-Luc Danger ◽  
Sihem Mesnager
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Linear Codes ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Closed Form Expression ◽  
Side Channel ◽  
Straightforward Application ◽  
Channel Resistance ◽  
Reed Solomon Code ◽  
Optimal Linear ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents a unified approach to quantifying the information leakages in the most general code-based masking schemes. Specifically, by utilizing a uniform representation, we highlight first that all code-based masking schemes’ side-channel resistance can be quantified by an all-in-one framework consisting of two easy-tocompute parameters (the dual distance and the number of conditioned codewords) from a coding-theoretic perspective. In particular, we use signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and mutual information (MI) as two complementary metrics, where a closed-form expression of SNR and an approximation of MI are proposed by connecting both metrics to the two coding-theoretic parameters. Secondly, considering the connection between Reed-Solomon code and SSS (Shamir’s Secret Sharing) scheme, the SSS-based masking is viewed as a particular case of generalized code-based masking. Hence as a straightforward application, we evaluate the impact of public points on the side-channel security of SSS-based masking schemes, namely the polynomial masking, and enhance the SSS-based masking by choosing optimal public points for it. Interestingly, we show that given a specific security order, more shares in SSS-based masking leak more information on secrets in an information-theoretic sense. Finally, our approach provides a systematic method for optimizing the side-channel resistance of every code-based masking. More precisely, this approach enables us to select optimal linear codes (parameters) for the generalized code-based masking by choosing appropriate codes according to the two coding-theoretic parameters. Summing up, we provide a best-practice guideline for the application of code-based masking to protect cryptographic implementations.

Optimal Linear Precodings for Multi-Color, Multi-User Visible Light Communication System with Fairness Considerations

Crystals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Fang Zhang ◽  
Hong-Yi Yu ◽  
Yi-Jun Zhu ◽  
Zheng-Guo Sun
Keyword(s):  
Visible Light ◽  
Inverse Method ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Visible Light Communication ◽  
Closed Form Expression ◽  
Convex Problems ◽  
Optimal Linear ◽  
User Interference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pseudo Inverse

With fairness consideration, optimal linear precoding designs for multi-color, multi-user visible light communication (VLC) systems are presented in this paper. Utilizing both the spatial and multi-color resources, the precoding designs are proposed to mitigate the impact of the multi-user interference (MUI) and the multi-color crosstalk. With the constraints of chromaticity, luminance, and signal range, the precoding designs are formulated to achieve the max-min fairness and the maximum sum-rate. Since the closed-form expression for the capacities is not available, the lower and upper bounds are chosen as the performance criterions. To make the optimization problems be easy to be solved by using standard optimization packages, the non-convex problems are cast into convex ones. Subsequently, algorithms are developed to find optimal solutions. Extensive simulation results indicate that the proposed precoding schemes outperform the conventional pseudo inverse method.

scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of new MDR-TB regimens: study protocol for the TB-PRACTECAL economic evaluation substudy

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e036599
Author(s):  
Sedona Sweeney ◽  
Gabriela Gomez ◽  
Nichola Kitson ◽  
Animesh Sinha ◽  
Natalia Yatskevich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
London School ◽  
Main Trial ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Mdr Tb ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionCurrent treatment regimens for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) are long, poorly tolerated and have poor outcomes. Furthermore, the costs of treating MDR-TB are much greater than those for treating drug-susceptible TB, both for health service and patient-incurred costs. Urgent action is needed to identify short, effective, tolerable and cheaper treatments for people with both quinolone-susceptible and quinolone-resistant MDR-TB. We present the protocol for an economic evaluation (PRACTECAL-EE substudy) alongside an ongoing clinical trial (TB-PRACTECAL) aiming to assess the costs to patients and providers of new regimens, as well as their cost-effectiveness and impact on participant poverty levels. This substudy is based on data from the three countries participating in the main trial.Methods and analysisPrimary cost data will be collected from the provider and patient perspectives, following economic best practice. We will estimate the probability that new MDR-TB regimens containing bedaquiline, pretomanid and linezolid are cost-effective from a societal perspective as compared with the standard of care for MDR-TB patients in Uzbekistan, South Africa and Belarus. Analysis uses a Markov model populated with primary cost and outcome data collected at each study site. We will also estimate the impact of new regimens on prevalence of catastrophic patient costs due to TB.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been obtained from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Médecins Sans Frontières. Local ethical approval will be sought in each study site. The results of the economic evaluation will be shared with the country health authorities and published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04207112); Pre-results.

scholarly journals Patient preferences for use of virtual consultations in an orthopaedic rehabilitation setting: Results from a discrete choice experiment

2021 ◽  
pp. 135581962110354
Author(s):  
Anthony W Gilbert ◽  
Emmanouil Mentzakis ◽  
Carl R May ◽  
Maria Stokes ◽  
Jeremy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Discrete Choice Experiment ◽  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Patient Preferences ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Problem Area ◽  
Fractional Factorial ◽  
The Impact

Objective Virtual Consultations may reduce the need for face-to-face outpatient appointments, thereby potentially reducing the cost and time involved in delivering health care. This study reports a discrete choice experiment (DCE) that identifies factors that influence patient preferences for virtual consultations in an orthopaedic rehabilitation setting. Methods Previous research from the CONNECT (Care in Orthopaedics, burdeN of treatmeNt and the Effect of Communication Technology) Project and best practice guidance informed the development of our DCE. An efficient fractional factorial design with 16 choice scenarios was created that identified all main effects and partial two-way interactions. The design was divided into two blocks of eight scenarios each, to reduce the impact of cognitive fatigue. Data analysis were conducted using binary logit regression models. Results Sixty-one paired response sets (122 subjects) were available for analysis. DCE factors (whether the therapist is known to the patient, duration of appointment, time of day) and demographic factors (patient qualifications, access to equipment, difficulty with activities, multiple health issues, travel costs) were significant predictors of preference. We estimate that a patient is less than 1% likely to prefer a virtual consultation if the patient has a degree, is without access to the equipment and software to undertake a virtual consultation, does not have difficulties with day-to-day activities, is undergoing rehabilitation for one problem area, has to pay less than £5 to travel, is having a consultation with a therapist not known to them, in 1 weeks’ time, lasting 60 minutes, at 2 pm. We have developed a simple conceptual model to explain how these factors interact to inform preference, including patients’ access to resources, context for the consultation and the requirements of the consultation. Conclusions This conceptual model provides the framework to focus attention towards factors that might influence patient preference for virtual consultations. Our model can inform the development of future technologies, trials, and qualitative work to further explore the mechanisms that influence preference.

scholarly journals Reducing environmental impacts from garments through best practice garment use and care, using the example of a Merino wool sweater

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen G. Wiedemann ◽  
Leo Biggs ◽  
Quan V. Nguyen ◽  
Simon J. Clarke ◽  
Kirsi Laitala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Impact Category ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Multiple Users ◽  
Washing Machines ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Garment production and use generate substantial environmental impacts, and the care and use are key determinants of cradle-to-grave impacts. The present study investigated the potential to reduce environmental impacts by applying best practices for garment care combined with increased garment use. A wool sweater is used as an example because wool garments have particular attributes that favour reduced environmental impacts in the use phase. Methods A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to compare six plausible best and worst-case practice scenarios for use and care of a wool sweater, relative to current practices. These focussed on options available to consumers to reduce impacts, including reduced washing frequency, use of more efficient washing machines, reduced use of machine clothing dryers, garment reuse by multiple users, and increasing number of garment wears before disposal. A sixth scenario combined all options. Worst practices took the worst plausible alternative for each option investigated. Impacts were reported per wear in Western Europe for climate change, fossil energy demand, water stress and freshwater consumption. Results and discussion Washing less frequently reduced impacts by between 4 and 20%, while using more efficient washing machines at capacity reduced impacts by 1 to 6%, depending on the impact category. Reduced use of machine dryer reduced impacts by < 5% across all indicators. Reusing garments by multiple users increased life span and reduced impacts by 25–28% across all indicators. Increasing wears from 109 to 400 per garment lifespan had the largest effect, decreasing impacts by 60% to 68% depending on the impact category. Best practice care, where garment use was maximised and care practices focussed on the minimum practical requirements, resulted in a ~ 75% reduction in impacts across all indicators. Unsurprisingly, worst-case scenarios increased impacts dramatically: using the garment once before disposal increased GHG impacts over 100 times. Conclusions Wool sweaters have potential for long life and low environmental impact in use, but there are substantial differences between the best, current and worst-case scenarios. Detailed information about garment care and lifespans is needed to understand and reduce environmental impacts. Opportunities exist for consumers to rapidly and dramatically reduce these impacts. The fashion industry can facilitate this through garment design and marketing that promotes and enables long wear life and minimal care.

The Impact of Claims Management, Treatment, and Rehabilitation on Recovery and Return to Independence

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liz Cairns ◽  
Maree Dyson ◽  
Sally Canobi ◽  
Nic Vipond
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Personal Injury ◽  
Quality Information ◽  
Client Outcomes ◽  
Evaluation Program ◽  
Accident Compensation ◽  
Serious Injury ◽  
The Impact

The use of contemporaneous evaluation in personal injury insurance enables schemes to maintain and enhance their viability through access to quality information on cost, liabilities and outcomes. Best practice in research programs in the sector requires data on client outcomes and financial performance to be collected. This article presents a case study of the research and evaluation program for the National Serious Injury Service of New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation.

scholarly journals Interphotoreceptor coupling: an evolutionary perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Cangiano ◽  
Sabrina Asteriti
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Electrical Coupling ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Contact Points ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn the vertebrate retina, signals generated by cones of different spectral preference and by highly sensitive rod photoreceptors interact at various levels to extract salient visual information. The first opportunity for such interaction is offered by electrical coupling of the photoreceptors themselves, which is mediated by gap junctions located at the contact points of specialised cellular processes: synaptic terminals, telodendria and radial fins. Here, we examine the evolutionary pressures for and against interphotoreceptor coupling, which are likely to have shaped how coupling is deployed in different species. The impact of coupling on signal to noise ratio, spatial acuity, contrast sensitivity, absolute and increment threshold, retinal signal flow and colour discrimination is discussed while emphasising available data from a variety of vertebrate models spanning from lampreys to primates. We highlight the many gaps in our knowledge, persisting discrepancies in the literature, as well as some major unanswered questions on the actual extent and physiological role of cone-cone, rod-cone and rod-rod communication. Lastly, we point toward limited but intriguing evidence suggestive of the ancestral form of coupling among ciliary photoreceptors.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on hip fractures: the central London experience COVID-related urgent geriatric hip trauma (COUGH) study COVERT ( COVid Emergency-Related Trauma and orthopaedics) collaborative

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Park ◽  
Kapil Sugand ◽  
Arash Aframian ◽  
Catrin Morgan ◽  
Nadia Pakroo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Neck Of Femur ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Femur Fractures ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Vulnerable Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Usual Residence ◽  
Hip Trauma ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction COVID-19 has been recognized as the unprecedented global health crisis in modern times. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on treatment of neck of femur fractures (NOFF) against the current guidelines and meeting best practice key performance indicators (KPIs) according to the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) in two large central London hospitals. Materials and methods A multi-center, longitudinal, retrospective, observational study of NOFF patients was performed for the first ‘golden’ month following the lockdown measures introduced in mid-March 2020. This was compared to the same time period in 2019. Results A total of 78 cases were observed. NOFFs accounted for 11% more of all acute referrals during the COVID era. There were fewer overall breaches in KPIs in time to theatre in 2020 and also for those awaiting an orthogeriatric review. Time to discharge from the trust during the pandemic was improved by 54% (p < 0.00001) but patients were 51% less likely to return to their usual residence (p = 0.007). The odds ratio was significantly higher for consultant surgeon-led operations and consultant orthogeriatric-led review in the post-COVID era. There was no significant difference in using aerosol-generating anaesthetic procedures or immortality rates between both years. Conclusion The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has not adversely affected the KPIs for the treatment of NOFF patients with significant improvement in numerous care domains. These findings may represent the efforts to ensure that these vulnerable patients are treated promptly to minimize their risks from the coronavirus.

scholarly journals The Improvement on the Performance of DMD Hadamard Transform Near-Infrared Spectrometer by Double Filter Strategy and a New Hadamard Mask

Micromachines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zifeng Lu ◽  
Jinghang Zhang ◽  
Hua Liu ◽  
Jialin Xu ◽  
Jinhuan Li
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Nonuniform Distribution ◽  
Stray Light ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Hadamard Transform ◽  
Digital Micromirror Device ◽  
Infrared Spectrometer ◽  
Near Infrared Spectrometer ◽  
The Impact

In the Hadamard transform (HT) near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, there are defects that can create a nonuniform distribution of spectral energy, significantly influencing the absorbance of the whole spectrum, generating stray light, and making the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the spectrum inconsistent. To address this issue and improve the performance of the digital micromirror device (DMD) Hadamard transform near-infrared spectrometer, a split waveband scan mode is proposed to mitigate the impact of the stray light, and a new Hadamard mask of variable-width stripes is put forward to improve the SNR of the spectrometer. The results of the simulations and experiments indicate that by the new scan mode and Hadamard mask, the influence of stray light is restrained and reduced. In addition, the SNR of the spectrometer also is increased.

scholarly journals Development of a Best Practice Statement on the Use of Ankle-Foot Orthoses Following Stroke in Scotland

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Bowers ◽  
Karyn Ross
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Working Group ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Expert Working Group ◽  
Health Service Quality ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Successes And Challenges

A National Health Service Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) scoping exercise in 2007 identified the use of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) following stroke as a clinical improvement priority, leading to the development of a best practice statement (BPS) on AFO use after stroke. This paper outlines the development process of the BPS which is available from NHS QIS. The authors were involved as part of a working group that included practitioners from the fields of orthotics, physiotherapy, stroke nursing and bioengineering, staff of NHS QIS and a patient representative. In consultation with an NHS QIS health services researcher, the authors undertook a systematic literature review to evidence where possible the recommendations made in the BPS. Where evidence was unavailable, consensus was reached by the expert working group. As the BPS was designed for the non-specialist and non-orthotic practitioner the authors also developed educational resources which were included within the BPS to aid the understanding of the principles underpinning orthotic design and prescription. The BPS has been widely distributed throughout the health service in Scotland and is available electronically at no cost via the NHS QIS website. As part of an ongoing evaluation of the impact of the BPS on the quality of orthotic provision, NHS QIS has invited feedback regarding successes and challenges to implementation.

scholarly journals Management of lymphoma in pregnancy

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Hodby ◽  
P A Fields
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Current Practice ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Current Opinion ◽  
Diagnosis Of Cancer ◽  
Relative Rarity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Common Malignancy

One in every thousand pregnancies is complicated by a concurrent diagnosis of cancer. Lymphoma is currently the fourth most common malignancy diagnosed during pregnancy and its incidence is rising. The diagnosis and management of any malignancy during pregnancy is clearly a clinical and emotional minefield for both patients and health-care professionals. The major challenge is to optimize medical treatment offered to the mother, while limiting the impact on the fetus. Given the relative rarity of the situation, current practice is guided by case reports and personal experience of management of similar patients. Our centre has a large and busy lymphoma practice, and has cared for several women diagnosed with a variety of subtypes of lymphoma over the years. This review aims to summarize current opinion about best practice regarding these patients and discusses options available from the current literature.

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