An improved Framework for Biometric Database’s privacy

Security and privacy are huge challenges in biometric systems. Biometrics are sensitive data that should be protected from any attacker and especially attackers targeting the confidentiality and integrity of biometric data. In this paper an extensive review of different physiological biometric techniques is provided. A comparative analysis of the various sus mentioned biometrics, including characteristics and properties is conducted. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the most relevant physiological biometrics is achieved. Furthermore, we propose a new framework for biometric database privacy. Our approach is based on the use of the promising fully homomorphic encryption technology. As a proof of concept, we establish an initial implementation of our security module using JAVA programming language

Non-Intrusive Subscriber Authentication for Next Generation Mobile Communication Systems

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/753 on 14.03.2017 by CS (TIS)The last decade has witnessed massive growth in both the technological development, and the consumer adoption of mobile devices such as mobile handsets and PDAs. The recent introduction of wideband mobile networks has enabled the deployment of new services with access to traditionally well protected personal data, such as banking details or medical records. Secure user access to this data has however remained a function of the mobile device's authentication system, which is only protected from masquerade abuse by the traditional PIN, originally designed to protect against telephony abuse. This thesis presents novel research in relation to advanced subscriber authentication for mobile devices. The research began by assessing the threat of masquerade attacks on such devices by way of a survey of end users. This revealed that the current methods of mobile authentication remain extensively unused, leaving terminals highly vulnerable to masquerade attack. Further investigation revealed that, in the context of the more advanced wideband enabled services, users are receptive to many advanced authentication techniques and principles, including the discipline of biometrics which naturally lends itself to the area of advanced subscriber based authentication. To address the requirement for a more personal authentication capable of being applied in a continuous context, a novel non-intrusive biometric authentication technique was conceived, drawn from the discrete disciplines of biometrics and Auditory Evoked Responses. The technique forms a hybrid multi-modal biometric where variations in the behavioural stimulus of the human voice (due to the propagation effects of acoustic waves within the human head), are used to verify the identity o f a user. The resulting approach is known as the Head Authentication Technique (HAT). Evaluation of the HAT authentication process is realised in two stages. Firstly, the generic authentication procedures of registration and verification are automated within a prototype implementation. Secondly, a HAT demonstrator is used to evaluate the authentication process through a series of experimental trials involving a representative user community. The results from the trials confirm that multiple HAT samples from the same user exhibit a high degree of correlation, yet samples between users exhibit a high degree of discrepancy. Statistical analysis of the prototypes performance realised early system error rates of; FNMR = 6% and FMR = 0.025%. The results clearly demonstrate the authentication capabilities of this novel biometric approach and the contribution this new work can make to the protection of subscriber data in next generation mobile networks.Orange Personal Communication Services Lt

In-ear EEG biometrics for feasible and readily collectable real-world person authentication

The use of EEG as a biometrics modality has been investigated for about a decade, however its feasibility in real-world applications is not yet conclusively established, mainly due to the issues with collectability and reproducibility. To this end, we propose a readily deployable EEG biometrics system based on a `one-fits-all' viscoelastic generic in-ear EEG sensor (collectability), which does not require skilled assistance or cumbersome preparation. Unlike most existing studies, we consider data recorded over multiple recording days and for multiple subjects (reproducibility) while, for rigour, the training and test segments are not taken from the same recording days. A robust approach is considered based on the resting state with eyes closed paradigm, the use of both parametric (autoregressive model) and non-parametric (spectral) features, and supported by simple and fast cosine distance, linear discriminant analysis and support vector machine classifiers. Both the verification and identification forensics scenarios are considered and the achieved results are on par with the studies based on impractical on-scalp recordings. Comprehensive analysis over a number of subjects, setups, and analysis features demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed ear-EEG biometrics, and its potential in resolving the critical collectability, robustness, and reproducibility issues associated with current EEG biometrics

Epidemiological and Evolutionary study of Vestibular Schwannoma after different types of treatment

Over the last couple of decades, the increased availability of magnetic resonance imaging dramatically influenced to the therapeutic approach of vestibular schwannomas (VSs). However, there are few reports about the course of VS patients following conservative management (CM) compared with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR). In the current study, we present data of 106 unilateral and one bilateral (due to NF2) VS patient controlled CM (67), GKRS (27) and conventional neurosurgery (13). Objectives The main aim of our study was to compare CM and/or the natural course of VS growth with the effects following GKR along with additional treatment and symptom development during the follow-up. We also aimed to evaluate the utility of diagnostic tests and efficiency of CM in case of small VSs

Genetic and pharmacokinetics factors associated with susceptibility to kanamycin induced cochleotoxicity in a cohort of patients undergoing MDR/RR-TB treatment

South Africa is one of the countries with a high incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and rifampicin resistance tuberculosis (RR-TB). The standard MDR/RR-TB regimen prescribed in South Africa, at the time of the present study included Kanamycin, an aminoglycoside with a known cochleotoxic effect. Although kanamycin has recently been removed from the WHO MDR/RR-TB regimen, amikacin, another aminoglycoside derived from kanamycin, with similar structure and cochleotoxic side effects, has remained as part of the regimen for MDR/RR-TB patients with limited treatment options. In addition, some countries (e.g. India and Nigeria) have not completely removed kanamycin from their treatment regimen for MDR/RR-TB. Research has shown that genetic factors and factors affecting the pharmacokinetic of the drug could potentially be useful in identifying those who may be at a higher risk of aminoglycoside-induced cochleotoxicity. However, not much is known about the pharmacokinetics of Kanamycin and there is currently limited research available on the role of mutations involved in aminoglycoside-induced cochleotoxicity in South Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to determine: (1) the incidence of cochleotoxicity in MDR/RR-TB patients who are receiving kanamycin, (2) the pharmacokinetic properties of kanamycin that are associated with increased risk of cochleotoxicity, and (3) the association between participant's susceptibility to develop cochleotoxicity and two potentially pathogenic mitochondrial mutations (T15312C (I189T in MT-CYB) and T10114C (I19T in MT-ND3)). The current study used a prospective cohort design. A total of 102 patients (median age was 34.9 years) on kanamycin-based MDR/RR-TB treatment participated in this study. The study site was the Metro Tuberculosis Hospital Centre, Cape Town. The majority of the participants were males (n = 58, 56.9%,). Sixty five (63.7%) participants were HIVpositive, and 24 (23.5%) had been treated for MDR/RR-TB previously. Participants' hearing thresholds (0.25 to16kHz) were prospectively monitored for cochleotoxicity at the start of their treatment (baseline), and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The American SpeechLanguage- Hearing Association criteria (ASHA, 1994) were used to identify significant threshold shift (STS). Kanamycin concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), at steady-state in serial plasma samples over 10 hours. The T15312C (I189T in MT-CYB) and T10114C (I19T in MTND3) mutations was detected using PCR, ABI PRISM® 3130xl Genetic Analyser and UniPro UGene. The results of the study revealed 82% (n = 84) of participants developed cochleotoxicity. The duration of treatment with kanamycin was associated with cochleotoxicity with a 120% and 220% increase in incidence of cochleotoxicity from week four of treatment to week eight and week 12 of treatment, respectively. Kanamycin exposure was significantly associated with cochleotoxicity with about 3% increased risk of hearing loss for every 10µg•hr/L increase in kanamycin AUC0-10. The statistical analysis of the relationship between cochleotoxicity and two potentially pathogenic mutations, T15312C and T10114C, was not possible due to the low frequency of these mutations in the sample size. However, T15312C and T10114C were detected in 4.5% and 6%, respectively. Based on the MAF cut-off of 0.01 (1%), they are considered as common mutations. In addition, as T15312C and T10114C were just detected among participants who developed cochleotoxicity and not those who did not, they may be potentially pathogenic. However, since the presence of the known mutations associated with aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss in participants who carry T15312C and T10114C mutations had not been 17 investigated, it was not possible to draw a definite conclusion about the pathogenicity of T15312C and T10114C. The results of the current study indicate that: (1) a high incidence of cochleotoxicity was detected among MDR/RR-TB patients receiving kanamycin, (2) the longer duration of treatment with kanamycin was associated with higher risk of cochleotoxicity, (3) higher Kanamycin AUC0-10 was strongly associated with an increased incidence of cochleotoxicity, and (4) the T15312C and T10114C were common mutations in South African MDR/RR-TB patients who participated in this study and they may be potentially pathogenic for cochleotoxicity, and that should be assessed in future studies. This study recommends that aminoglycoside-sparing regimens should be used for MDR/RR-TB patients. A routine ototoxic monitoring programme (at least once a month) including ultra-high frequency audiometry should be implemented for MDR/RR-TB patients who receive aminoglycosides, from the time of ototoxic drug exposure until six months post treatment. Therapeutic drug monitoring should be implemented for all the MDR/RR-TB patients on aminoglycosides and AUC value should be used for clinical decision making to reduce the risk of cochleotoxicity. Screening for the known mutations that contribute to the risk of cochleotoxicity, prior to the start of aminoglycoside therapy is recommended to lower the incidence of aminoglycoside induced hearing loss, especially in countries such as South Africa with a high incidence of MDR/RR-TB

Sensing with Earables: A Systematic Literature Review and Taxonomy of Phenomena

Earables have emerged as a unique platform for ubiquitous computing by augmenting ear-worn devices with state-of-the-art sensing. This new platform has spurred a wealth of new research exploring what can be detected on a wearable, small form factor. As a sensing platform, the ears are less susceptible to motion artifacts and are located in close proximity to a number of important anatomical structures including the brain, blood vessels, and facial muscles which reveal a wealth of information. They can be easily reached by the hands and the ear canal itself is affected by mouth, face, and head movements. We have conducted a systematic literature review of 271 earable publications from the ACM and IEEE libraries. These were synthesized into an open-ended taxonomy of 47 different phenomena that can be sensed in, on, or around the ear. Through analysis, we identify 13 fundamental phenomena from which all other phenomena can be derived, and discuss the different sensors and sensing principles used to detect them. We comprehensively review the phenomena in four main areas of (i) physiological monitoring and health, (ii) movement and activity, (iii) interaction, and (iv) authentication and identification. This breadth highlights the potential that earables have to offer as a ubiquitous, general-purpose platform

Sensing with Earables: A Systematic Literature Review and Taxonomy of Phenomena

Earables have emerged as a unique platform for ubiquitous computing by augmenting ear-worn devices with state-of-the-art sensing. This new platform has spurred a wealth of new research exploring what can be detected on a wearable, small form factor. As a sensing platform, the ears are less susceptible to motion artifacts and are located in close proximity to a number of important anatomical structures including the brain, blood vessels, and facial muscles which reveal a wealth of information. They can be easily reached by the hands and the ear canal itself is affected by mouth, face, and head movements. We have conducted a systematic literature review of 271 earable publications from the ACM and IEEE libraries. These were synthesized into an open-ended taxonomy of 47 different phenomena that can be sensed in, on, or around the ear. Through analysis, we identify 13 fundamental phenomena from which all other phenomena can be derived, and discuss the different sensors and sensing principles used to detect them. We comprehensively review the phenomena in four main areas of (i) physiological monitoring and health, (ii) movement and activity, (iii) interaction, and (iv) authentication and identification. This breadth highlights the potential that earables have to offer as a ubiquitous, general-purpose platform

Clinical and audiological features of Ménière’s disease : insight into the diagnostic process

Ménière’s disease is the third most common inner ear disorder. The individual course of Ménière’s disease in different patients makes it difficult to diagnose on the basis of symptomatology alone. The impact of Ménière’s disease on quality of life has highlighted the importance of an additional tool to support the diagnosis of Ménière’s disease. Apart from the patient’s history, audiological data provide the most relevant information for confirming the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to analyse and describe the clinical and audiological features of a cohort of subjects diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, in order to develop understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and to facilitate the diagnostic process. The research is based on a retrospective study of the medical records of 135 subjects with Ménière’s disease which were selected according to a non-probability sample. Descriptive statistics were used to organize, analyse and interpret the data. Sixty one percent of subjects presented with definite Ménière’s disease, 14 % with probable Ménière’s disease and 25 % with possible Ménière’s disease. The results showed a higher incidence of Ménière’s disease in females especially in the vestibular type. Three percent of subjects indicated a family history of Ménière’s disease. Bilateral Ménière’s disease presented in 39 % of subjects. The results confirmed that vertigo was the most debilitating symptom in Ménière’s disease. Correlating the clinical features of subjects with audiometric and vestibular tests highlighted the clinical value of an audiological test battery including the following tests: Pure tone audiometry, Speech discrimination, Oto-acoustic emissions, Electronystagmography and Electrocochleography. This confirms the role of the audiologist in the diagnostic and rehabilitation process in patients with Ménière’s disease.Dissertation (Communication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2007.Speech-Language Pathology and Audiologyunrestricte