Research on Security Protocol Analysis Tool SmartVerif

Security protocols have been designed to protect the security of the network. However, many security protocols cannot guarantee absolute security in real applications. Therefore, security tests of the network protocol become particularly important. In this paper, firstly, we introduce SmartVerif, which is the first formal analysis tool to automatically verify the security of protocols through dynamic strategies. And then, we use SmartVerif to verify the pseudo-randomness of the encapsulated key of the Two-Pass AKE protocol, which was proposed by Liu’s in ASIACRYPT in 2020. Finally, we summary our work and show some limitations of SmartVerif. At the same time, we also point out the direction for future improvement of SmartVerif.

Proving authentication property of PUF-based mutual authentication protocol based on logic of events

PUF (Physical unclonable function) is a new hardware security primitive, and the research on PUFs is one of the emerging research focuses. For PUF-based mutual authentication protocols, a method to abstract the security properties of hardware by using logic of events is proposed, and the application aspects of logic of events are extended to protocols based on hardware security. With the interaction of PUF-based mutual authentication protocol formally described by logic of events, the basic sequences are constructed and the strong authentication property in protocol interaction process is verified. Based on the logic of events, the freshness of nonces is defined, and the persist rule is proposed according to the concept of freshness, which ensures the consistency of the protocol state and behavior predicate in the proof process, and reduces the complexity and redundancy in the protocol analysis process. Under reasonable assumptions, the security of the protocol is proven, and the fact that logic of events applies to PUF-based mutual authentication protocols is shown.

Protective efficacy of 6-week regimen for latent tuberculosis infection treatment in rural China: 5-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundEnlarging tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment among at-risk populations is a critical component of the End TB Strategy. It is urgently needed to develop suitable latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) testing and treatment tools according to local TB epidemic and available resources in worldwide.MethodsBased on an open-labeled randomised controlled trial conducted since 2015 among rural residents aged 50–70 years with LTBI, the protective efficacy of the 6-week twice-weekly regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid was further evaluated in a 5-year follow-up survey.ResultsA total of 1298 treated participants and 1151 untreated controls were included in the 5-year protective efficacy analysis. In the per-protocol analysis, the incidence rate was 0.49/100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30–0.67) in the untreated control group and 0.19/100 person-years (95% CI: 0.07–0.32) in the treated group, the protection rate was 61.22%. Subgroup analysis showed that the protection rate was 76.82% in the per-protocol analysis among participants with baseline IFN-γ levels in the highest quartile (≥3.25 IU·mL−1). The multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that participants with baseline BMI <18.5 kg·m−2 and with pulmonary fibrotic lesions had increased hazard of developing active disease with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 3.64 (95% CI: 1.20–11.00) and 5.99 (95% CI: 2.20–16.27), respectively. In addition, individuals with higher baseline IFN-γ levels showed an increased risk of TB occurrence (aHR 2.27, 95% CI 1.13–4.58).ConclusionsOur findings suggested the 6-week twice-weekly regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid for LTBI treatment might be an optional tool for TB control in Chinese population.

Effect of short-term psychological intervention on anxiety of pregnant women with positive screening results for chromosomal disorders: a randomized controlled trial

Background and aim Prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities is a critical and stressful event for women. Most pregnant women are concerned about fetal abnormalities and screening tests. Due to the importance of anxiety reduction in pregnant women, this study was conducted to determine the effect of short-term psychological intervention on the anxiety of pregnant women with positive screening results for chromosomal disorders. Methods A randomized clinical trial was performed on women referred to Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran, Iran, who had positive screening results for chromosomal abnormalities. Participants were selected from eligible individuals by a continuous method and were assigned to two groups of cognitive-behavioral training (n = 46) and control (n = 46), using the block balanced randomization method. Participants in the cognitive-behavioral training group received 4 sessions of individual counseling. The control group received routine pregnancy visits. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was completed before the intervention and immediately at the end of the intervention (before receiving the amniocentesis result). The analysis of intervention effects was performed as intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Results There was a statistically significant difference in post-intervention state anxiety scores and trait anxiety scores (p < 0.001) between the intervention and control groups, when their means were adjusted for pre-intervention scores for both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Also, there was a large effect size between the groups in terms of state (ITT: ηp2 = 0.63, PP: ηp2 = 0.71) and trait (ITT: ηp2 = 0.72, PP: ηp2 = 0.75) anxiety scores clinically for both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. The intervention group had a statistically significant and large decrease in state and trait anxiety scores from pretrial to post-trial. In contrast, the control group had a statistically significant and medium increase in state and trait anxiety scores from pretrial to post-trial. Conclusion The results showed that cognitive-behavioral training reduced the anxiety of pregnant women with positive screening results for chromosomal disorders. According to the results, it is recommended to hold cognitive-behavioral training classes to reduce the anxiety of pregnant women with a positive screening result for chromosomal disorders. Trial registration IRCT.ir: IRCT20180427039436N7; date of registration: 24/08/2020 2020-08-24.

Intervention and Evocative Design Development (IEDD): Design experience through post medical treatment and rehabilitation

In medical and health care, product design and development play a key role in providing the optimal treatment and diagnosis with significant consideration of human factors, ergonomics, and practicality that meet the technical and clinical standards. Greater design attention through intervention and protocol analysis extended as a vital mechanism to evaluate the design efficacy throughout the treatment procedure is required. Design Intervention and Evocative Design Development (IEDD) is a materially innovative method explicitly oriented towards exploring the contemporary new understandings as a next-level towards the feasible solution. Keywords: Design; Clinical; Human Factors; Procedures; Protocols eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6iSI6.3046

Effect of sunflower seed oil emollient therapy on newborn infant survival in Uttar Pradesh, India: A community-based, cluster randomized, open-label controlled trial

Background Hospitalized preterm infants with compromised skin barrier function treated topically with sunflower seed oil (SSO) have shown reductions in sepsis and neonatal mortality rate (NMR). Mustard oil and products commonly used in high-mortality settings may possibly harm skin barrier integrity and enhance risk of infection and mortality in newborn infants. We hypothesized that SSO therapy may reduce NMR in such settings. Methods and findings This was a population-based, cluster randomized, controlled trial in 276 clusters in rural Uttar Pradesh, India. All newborn infants identified through population-based surveillance in the study clusters within 7 days of delivery were enrolled from November 2014 to October 2016. Exclusive, 3 times daily, gentle applications of 10 ml of SSO to newborn infants by families throughout the neonatal period were recommended in intervention clusters (n = 138 clusters); infants in comparison clusters (n = 138 clusters) received usual care, such as massage practice typically with mustard oil. Primary analysis was by intention-to-treat with NMR and post-24-hour NMR as the primary outcomes. Secondary analysis included per-protocol analysis and subgroup analyses for NMR. Regression analysis was adjusted for caste, first-visit weight, delivery attendant, gravidity, maternal age, maternal education, sex of the infant, and multiple births. We enrolled 13,478 (52.2% male, mean weight: 2,575.0 grams ± standard deviation [SD] 521.0) and 13,109 (52.0% male, mean weight: 2,607.0 grams ± SD 509.0) newborn infants in the intervention and comparison clusters, respectively. We found no overall difference in NMR in the intervention versus the comparison clusters [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84 to 1.11, p = 0.61]. Acceptance of SSO in the intervention arm was high at 89.3%, but adherence to exclusive applications of SSO was 30.4%. Per-protocol analysis showed a significant 58% (95% CI 42% to 69%, p < 0.01) reduction in mortality among infants in the intervention group who were treated exclusively with SSO as intended versus infants in the comparison group who received exclusive applications of mustard oil. A significant 52% (95% CI 12% to 74%, p = 0.02) reduction in NMR was observed in the subgroup of infants weighing ≤1,500 g (n = 589); there were no statistically significant differences in other prespecified subgroup comparisons by low birth weight (LBW), birthplace, and wealth. No severe adverse events (SAEs) were attributable to the intervention. The study was limited by inability to mask allocation to study workers or participants and by measurement of emollient use based on caregiver responses and not actual observation. Conclusions In this trial, we observed that promotion of SSO therapy universally for all newborn infants was not effective in reducing NMR. However, this result may not necessarily establish equivalence between SSO and mustard oil massage in light of our secondary findings. Mortality reduction in the subgroup of infants ≤1,500 g was consistent with previous hospital-based efficacy studies, potentially extending the applicability of emollient therapy in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants along the facility–community continuum. Further research is recommended to develop and evaluate therapeutic regimens and continuum of care delivery strategies for emollient therapy for newborn infants at highest risk of compromised skin barrier function. Trial registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN38965585 and Clinical Trials Registry—India (CTRI/2014/12/005282) with WHO UTN # U1111-1158-4665.