P4TC - Provably-Secure yet Practical Privacy-Preserving Toll Collection

Electronic toll collection (ETC) is widely used all over the world not only to finance our road infrastructures, but also to realize advanced features like congestion management and pollution reduction by means of dynamic pricing. Unfortunately, existing systems rely on user identification and allow tracing a user’s movements. Several abuses of this personalized location data have already become public. In view of the planned Europeanwide interoperable tolling system EETS and the new EU General Data Protection Regulation, location privacy becomes of particular importance. In this paper, we propose a flexible security model and crypto protocol framework designed for privacy-preserving toll collection in the most dominant setting, i.e., Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) ETC. A major challenge in designing the framework at hand was to combine provable security and practicality, where the latter includes practical performance figures and a suitable treatment of real-world issues, like broken onboard units etc. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first in the DSRC setting with a rigorous security model and proof and arguably the most comprehensive formal treatment of ETC security and privacy overall. Additionally, we provide a prototypical implementation on realistic hardware which already features fairly practical performance figures. An interaction between an onboard unit and a road-side unit is estimated to take less than a second allowing for toll collection at full speed assuming one road-side unit per lane

Predictive and prognostic value of circulating nucleosomes and serum biomarkers in patients with metastasized colorectal cancer undergoing Selective Internal Radiation Therapy

Background Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) is a new and effective locoregional anticancer therapy for colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. Markers for prediction of therapy response and prognosis are needed for the individual management of those patients undergoing SIRT. Methods Blood samples were prospectively and consecutively taken from 49 colorectal cancer patients with extensive hepatic metastases before, three, six, 24 and 48 h after SIRT to analyze the concentrations of nucleosomes and further laboratory parameters, and to compare them with the response to therapy regularly determined 3 months after therapy and with overall survival. Results Circulating nucleosomes, cytokeratin-19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and various liver markers increased already 24 h after SIRT. Pretherapeutical levels of CYFRA 21-1, CEA, cancer antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), asparate-aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as 24 h values of nucleosomes were significantly higher in patients suffering from disease progression (N = 35) than in non-progressive patients (N = 14). Concerning overall survival, CEA, CA 19-9, CYFRA 21-1, CRP, LDH, AST, choline esterase (CHE), gamma-glutamyl-transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and amylase (all 0 h, 24 h) and nucleosomes (24 h) were found to be prognostic relevant markers in univariate analyses. In multivariate Cox-Regression analysis, the best prognostic model was obtained for the combination of CRP and AST. When 24 h values were additionally included, nucleosomes (24 h) further improved the existing model. Conclusion Panels of biochemical markers are helpful to stratify pretherapeutically colorectal cancer patients for SIR-therapy and to early estimate the response to SIR-therapy

Accuracy and Prognostic Role of NCCT-ASPECTS Depend on Time from Acute Stroke Symptom-onset for both Human and Machine-learning Based Evaluation.

PURPOSE We hypothesize that the detectability of early ischemic changes on non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is limited in hyperacute stroke for both human and machine-learning based evaluation. In short onset-time-to-imaging (OTI), the CT angiography collateral status may identify fast stroke progressors better than early ischemic changes quantified by ASPECTS. METHODS In this retrospective, monocenter study, CT angiography collaterals (Tan score) and ASPECTS on acute and follow-up NCCT were evaluated by two raters. Additionally, a machine-learning algorithm evaluated the ASPECTS scale on the NCCT (e-ASPECTS). In this study 136 patients from 03/2015 to 12/2019 with occlusion of the main segment of the middle cerebral artery, with a defined symptom-onset-time and successful mechanical thrombectomy (MT) (modified treatment in cerebral infarction score mTICI = 2c or 3) were evaluated. RESULTS Agreement between acute and follow-up ASPECTS were found to depend on OTI for both human (Intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.43 for OTI < 100 min, ICC = 0.57 for OTI 100-200 min, ICC = 0.81 for OTI ≥ 200 min) and machine-learning based ASPECTS evaluation (ICC = 0.24 for OTI < 100 min, ICC = 0.61 for OTI 100-200 min, ICC = 0.63 for OTI ≥ 200 min). The same applied to the interrater reliability. Collaterals were predictors of a favorable clinical outcome especially in hyperacute stroke with OTI < 100 min (collaterals: OR = 5.67 CI = 2.38-17.8, p < 0.001; ASPECTS: OR = 1.44, CI = 0.91-2.65, p = 0.15) while ASPECTS was in prolonged OTI ≥ 200 min (collaterals OR = 4.21,CI = 1.36-21.9, p = 0.03; ASPECTS: OR = 2.85, CI = 1.46-7.46, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION The accuracy and reliability of NCCT-ASPECTS are time dependent for both human and machine-learning based evaluation, indicating reduced detectability of fast stroke progressors by NCCT. In hyperacute stroke, collateral status from CT-angiography may help for a better prognosis on clinical outcome and explain the occurrence of futile recanalization

Correction to: Accuracy and Prognostic Role of NCCT-ASPECTS Depend on Time from Acute Stroke Symptom-onset for both Human and Machine-learning Based Evaluation.

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that the detectability of early ischemic changes on non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) is limited in hyperacute stroke for both human and machine-learning based evaluation. In short onset-time-to-imaging (OTI), the CT angiography collateral status may identify fast stroke progressors better than early ischemic changes quantified by ASPECTS. METHODS: In this retrospective, monocenter study, CT angiography collaterals (Tan score) and ASPECTS on acute and follow-up NCCT were evaluated by two raters. Additionally, a machine-learning algorithm evaluated the ASPECTS scale on the NCCT (e-ASPECTS). In this study 136 patients from 03/2015 to 12/2019 with occlusion of the main segment of the middle cerebral artery, with a defined symptom-onset-time and successful mechanical thrombectomy (MT) (modified treatment in cerebral infarction score mTICI = 2c or 3) were evaluated. RESULTS: Agreement between acute and follow-up ASPECTS were found to depend on OTI for both human (Intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.43 for OTI < 100 min, ICC = 0.57 for OTI 100–200 min, ICC = 0.81 for OTI ≥ 200 min) and machine-learning based ASPECTS evaluation (ICC = 0.24 for OTI < 100 min, ICC = 0.61 for OTI 100–200 min, ICC = 0.63 for OTI ≥ 200 min). The same applied to the interrater reliability. Collaterals were predictors of a favorable clinical outcome especially in hyperacute stroke with OTI < 100 min (collaterals: OR = 5.67 CI = 2.38–17.8, p < 0.001; ASPECTS: OR = 1.44, CI = 0.91–2.65, p = 0.15) while ASPECTS was in prolonged OTI ≥ 200 min (collaterals OR = 4.21,CI = 1.36–21.9, p = 0.03; ASPECTS: OR = 2.85, CI = 1.46–7.46, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The accuracy and reliability of NCCT-ASPECTS are time dependent for both human and machine-learning based evaluation, indicating reduced detectability of fast stroke progressors by NCCT. In hyperacute stroke, collateral status from CT-angiography may help for a better prognosis on clinical outcome and explain the occurrence of futile recanalization. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00062-021-01110-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Процесс фтороаммонийной переработки высокофтористых бериллиевых концентратов

В работе приведено научное обоснование способа фтороаммонийной переработки высокофтористого бериллиевого концентрата, предложены технологические режимы переработки бериллиевого концентрата. Исследование технологического процесса и определение режимов, обеспечивающих экономически эффективную переработку концентратов, проводили на специально изготовленной опытной установке. В результате работы создана и апробирована принципиальная схема переработки бериллиевых концентратов, разработано аппаратурное оформление процесса. Приведено технико-экономическое обоснование технологии.The scientific substantiation of the processing of high-fluoride beryllium concentrates by ammonium fluoride is given in graduation thesis. Technological conditions of beryllium concentrate processing are proposed. The research of the technological process and determination of the conditions providing cost-effective processing of concentrates was carried out on a specially manufactured pilot plant. As a result of the work, a basic scheme for the processing of beryllium concentrates was developed and approved, and the hardware design of the process was developed. The feasibility study of technology is shown

Titanium isotope constraints on the mafic sources and geodynamic origins of Archean crust

The timing and formation of Earth’s first continents during the Archean are subjects of significant debate. By examining titanium isotope variations in Archean Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite (TTG) rocks and using advanced thermodynamic modelling, we can narrow down the processes involved and emphasise the role of mafic precursor compositions. In our study of Eoarchean Isua metabasalts and Itsaq tonalites in southern West Greenland, we observed a pattern of increasing Ti isotope enrichment with higher SiO2 content, resembling the compositions found in modern subduction zone rocks. Our modelling suggests that the Ti isotope variations in TTGs can be best explained by a combination of partial melting of low TiO2 metabasalts and subsequent crystallisation of tonalitic magmas, resulting in heavier Ti isotopes. This means that Ti isotopes help us distinguish the contributions of various mafic sources and fractional crystallisation during TTG formation. In the case of Itsaq tonalites and many other Eoarchean TTGs, low TiO2 tholeiitic metabasalts with arc-like characteristics likely represent the mafic source rocks, suggesting the formation of some of Earth’s earliest continental crust within a proto-subduction zone setting

First application of dynamic oxygen-17 magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla in a patient with early subacute stroke.

Dynamic oxygen-17 (17O) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging method that enables a direct and non-invasive assessment of cerebral oxygen metabolism and thus potentially the distinction between viable and non-viable tissue employing a three-phase inhalation experiment. The purpose of this investigation was the first application of dynamic 17O MRI at 7 Tesla (T) in a patient with stroke. In this proof-of-concept experiment, dynamic 17O MRI was applied during 17O inhalation in a patient with early subacute stroke. The analysis of the relative 17O water (H217O) signal for the affected stroke region compared to the healthy contralateral side revealed no significant difference. However, the technical feasibility of 17O MRI has been demonstrated paving the way for future investigations in neurovascular diseases