Synesthesia: Detecting Screen Content via Remote Acoustic Side Channels

We show that subtle acoustic noises emanating from within computer screens can be used to detect the content displayed on the screens. This sound can be picked up by ordinary microphones built into webcams or screens, and is inadvertently transmitted to other parties, e.g., during a videoconference call or archived recordings. It can also be recorded by a smartphone or "smart speaker" placed on a desk next to the screen, or from as far as 10 meters away using a parabolic microphone. Empirically demonstrating various attack scenarios, we show how this channel can be used for real-time detection of on-screen text, or users' input into on-screen virtual keyboards. We also demonstrate how an attacker can analyze the audio received during video call (e.g., on Google Hangout) to infer whether the other side is browsing the web in lieu of watching the video call, and which web site is displayed on their screen

Going public: UK companies’ use of capital markets

Public capital markets play an important role in financing the activities of non-financial companies in the United Kingdom, providing them with the main alternative to bank loans and private sources of finance. Although a small number of UK companies issue public bonds and equity, those that do account for a relatively large share of domestic investment and employment. Since the start of the financial crisis in 2007, bond and equity issuance has allowed some large companies to dampen the impact of the contraction in bank lending and the worsening economic outlook on investment and hiring. This suggests that there may be macroeconomic benefits to broadening access to public capital markets. The Bank has helped support primary corporate bond issuance at times of impaired secondary market functioning since 2009 through its Corporate Bond Secondary Market Scheme.

Superficial Ulnar Artery and its Clinical Significance

We present a case with an atypical variation of the ulnar artery discovered while examining a cadaver in our routine Gross Anatomy lab dissection. A superficial ulnar artery was found in a 55-year-old male cadaver originating directly from the brachial artery. This is a rare variation where the route of the ulnar artery runs superficially to the flexor compartment in the forearm. Based on previous cadaver studies, the incidence of such variation in the adult population appears to be approximately 3.75%. Deviations in the ulnar artery can lead to a potential risk of injury to patients during surgery. The superficial ulnar artery can mistakenly result in the administration of medicines into the artery as opposed to the median cubital vein during the injection. Hemorrhaging as well as other potential traumas can occur. We will also discuss the potential complications that could arise from this variant and the clinical recommendations for treatment

Improving the health of the NHS workforce: report of the Partnership on the health of the NHS workforce

This report, by the Partnership's support team, Sian Williams, Susan Michie and Shriti Pattani, is a review of previous work into the extent, nature and causes of ill health in the NHS workforce. The report, prefaced by a submission from the Partnership to the Secretary of State for Health, summarises the evidence base, draws attention to gaps where further research is required, and sets out recommendations and a ten-point action plan

Development of a nationally agreed core clinical dataset for childhood onset uveitis

BACKGROUND: Childhood onset uveitis comprises a group of rare inflammatory disorders characterized by clinical heterogeneity, chronicity, and uncertainties around long term outcomes. Standardized, detailed datasets with harmonized clinical definitions and terminology are needed to enable the clinical research necessary to stratify disease phenotype and interrogate the putative determinants of health outcomes. We aimed to develop a core routine clinical collection dataset for clinicians managing children with uveitis, suitable for multicenter and national clinical and experimental research initiatives. METHODS: Development of the dataset was undertaken in three phases: phase 1, a rapid review of published datasets used in clinical research studies; phase 2, a scoping review of disease or drug registries, national cohort studies and core outcome sets; and phase 3, a survey of members of a multicenter clinical network of specialists. Phases 1 and 2 provided candidates for a long list of variables for the dataset. In Phase 3, members of the UK's national network of stakeholder clinicians who manage childhood uveitis (the Pediatric Ocular Inflammation Group) were invited to select from this long-list their essential items for the core clinical dataset, to identify any omissions, and to support or revise the clinical definitions. Variables which met a threshold of at least 95% agreement were selected for inclusion in the core clinical dataset. RESULTS: The reviews identified 42 relevant studies, and 9 disease or drug registries. In total, 138 discrete items were identified as candidates for the long-list. Of the 41 specialists invited to take part in the survey, 31 responded (response rate 78%). The survey resulted in inclusion of 89 data items within the final core dataset: 81 items to be collected at the first visit, and 64 items at follow up visits. DISCUSSION: We report development of a novel consensus core clinical dataset for the routine collection of clinical data for children diagnosed with non-infectious uveitis. The development of the dataset will provide a standardized approach to data capture able to support observational clinical studies embedded within routine clinical care and electronic patient record capture. It will be validated through a national prospective cohort study, the Uveitis in childhood prospective national cohort study (UNICORNS)

Going public: UK companies\u27 use of capital markets

By Aashish Pattani and Giuseppe Vera of the Bank\u27s Macro Financial Analysis Division and James Wackett of the Bank\u27s Foreign Exchange Division.(1