Formal Proof of Relative Strengths of Security between ECK2007 Model and other Proof Models for Key Agreement Protocols

In 2005, Choo, Boyd & Hitchcock compared four well-known indistinguishability-based proof models for key agreement protocols, which contains the Bellare & Rogaway (1993, 1995) model, the Bellare , Pointcheval & Rogaway 2000 model and the Canetti & Krawczyk (2001) model. After that, researchers from Microsoft presented a stronger security model, called Extended Canetti-Krawczyk model (2007). In this paper, we will point out the differences between the new proof model and the four previous models, and analyze the relative strengths of security of these models. To support the implication or non-implication relation between these models, we will provide proof or counter-example

Chosen-Ciphertext Secure Fuzzy Identity-Based Key Encapsulation without ROM

We use hybrid encryption with Fuzzy Identity-Based Encryption (Fuzzy-IBE) schemes, and present the first and efficient fuzzy identity-based key encapsulation mechanism (Fuzzy-IB-KEM) schemes which are chosen-ciphertext secure (CCA) without random oracle in the selective-ID model. To achieve these goals, we consider Fuzzy-IBE schemes as consisting of separate key and data encapsulation mechanisms (KEM-DEM), and then give the definition of Fuzzy-IB-KEM. Our main idea is to enhance Sahai and Waters\u27 large universe construction (Sahai and Waters, 2005), chosen-plaintext secure (CPA) Fuzzy-IBE, by adding some redundant information to the ciphertext to make it CCA-secure

Association Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in PPARA and EPAS1 Genes and High-Altitude Appetite Loss in Chinese Young Men

Appetite loss is a common symptom that occurs in high altitude (HA) for lowlanders. Previous studies indicated that hypoxia is the initiating vital factor of HA appetite loss. PPARA, EPAS1, EGLN1, HIF1A, HIF1AN, and NFE2L2 play important roles in hypoxic responses. We aimed to explore the association of these hypoxia-related gene polymorphisms with HA appetite loss. In this study, we enrolled 416 young men who rapidly ascended to Lhasa (3700 m) from Chengdu (<500m) by plane. PPARA, EPAS1, EGLN1, HIF1A, HIF1AN, and NFE2L2 were genotyped by MassARRAY. Appetite scores were measured to identify HA appetite loss. Logistic regression and multiple genetic models were tested to evaluate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and risk of HA appetite loss in crude and adjusted (age and SaO2) analysis. Subsequently, Haploview software was used to analyze the linkage disequilibrium (LD), haplotype construction and the association of diverse haplotypes with the risk of HA appetite loss. Our results revealed that allele “A” in PPARA rs4253747 was significantly associated with the increased risk of HA appetite loss. Codominant, dominant, recessive, and log-additive models of PPARA rs4253747 showed the increased risk of HA appetite loss in the crude and adjusted analysis. However, only dominant, overdominant, and log-additive models of EPAS1 rs6756667 showed decreased risk of HA appetite loss in the crude and adjusted analysis. Moreover, the results from haplotype-based test showed that the rs7292407-rs6520015 haplotype “AC” was associated with HA appetite loss in the crude analysis rather than the adjusted analysis. In this study, we first established the association of SNPs in PPARA (rs4253747) and EPAS1 (rs6756667) genes with susceptibility to HA appetite loss in Han Chinese young men. These findings provide novel insights into understanding the mechanisms involved in HA appetite loss

Association of EPAS1 and PPARA Gene Polymorphisms with High-Altitude Headache in Chinese Han Population

Background. High-altitude headache (HAH) is the most common complication after high-altitude exposure. Hypoxia-inducible factor- (HIF-) related genes have been confirmed to contribute to high-altitude acclimatization. We aim to investigate a possible association between HIF-related genes and HAH in the Chinese Han population. Methods. In total, 580 healthy Chinese Han volunteers were recruited in Chengdu (500 m) and carried to Lhasa (3700 m) by plane in 2 hours. HAH scores and basic physiological parameters were collected within 18–24 hours after the arrival. Thirty-five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HIF-related genes were genotyped, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) was evaluated by Haploview software. The functions of SNPs/haplotypes for HAH were developed by using logistic regression analysis. Results. In comparison with wild types, the rs4953354 “G” allele (P=0.013), rs6756667 “A” allele (P=0.036) in EPAS1, and rs6520015 “C” allele in PPARA (P=0.009) were significantly associated with decreased risk of HAH. The rs7292407-rs6520015 haplotype “C-C” in PPARA was identified as a protective factor (P=0.030). Importantly, EPAS1 and PPARA genes have synergistic effects in decreasing HAH risk (P=0.003). Conclusions. EPAS1 and PPARA polymorphisms were associated with HAH in the Chinese Han population. Our findings pointed out potentially predictive gene markers, provided new insights into understanding pathogenesis, and may further provide prophylaxis and treatment strategies for HAH

Black Phosphorus: Degradation Favors Lubrication

Due to its innate instability, the degradation of black phosphorus (BP) with oxygen and moisture was considered the obstacle for its application in ambient conditions. Here, a friction force reduced by about 50% at the degraded area of the BP nanosheets was expressly observed using atomic force microscopy due to the produced phosphorus oxides during degradation. Energy-dispersive spectrometer mapping analyses corroborated the localized concentration of oxygen on the degraded BP flake surface where friction reduction was observed. Water absorption was discovered to be essential for the degraded characteristic as well as the friction reduction behavior of BP sheets. The combination of water molecules as well as the resulting chemical groups (P–OH bonds) that are formed on the oxidized surface may account for the friction reduction of degraded BP flakes. It is indicated that, besides its layered structure, the ambient degradation of BP significantly favors its lubrication behavior

Association between Low Free Triiodothyronine Levels and Poor Prognosis in Patients with Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background. Low free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels are generally associated with poor prognosis in patients with heart diseases, but this is controversial and there is a lack of data about ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Chinese patients. Objective. To assess the association between fT3 levels and the prognosis of patients with STEMI. Methods. This was a prospective observational study of 699 consecutive patients with STEMI treated at the Xinqiao Hospital between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. The patients were divided into the low fT3 (fT3 < 3.1 pmol/L; n=179, 27.5%) and normal fT3 (fT3 ≥ 3.1 pmol/L; n=473, 72.5%) groups according to fT3 levels at admission. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months for all-cause death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results. During the 1-year follow-up, there were 70 all-cause deaths (39.1%) in the low fT3 group and 40 (8.5%) in the normal fT3 group (P<0.001). MACE occurred in 105 patients (58.7%) in the low fT3 group and 74 (15.6%) in the normal fT3 group (P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that fT3 levels were independently associated with 30-day and 1-year all-cause death [30-day: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.702, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.501–0.983, P=0.04; 1-year: HR = 0.557, 95% CI: 0.411–0.755, P<0.001] and MACE (30-day: HR = 0.719, 95% CI: 0.528–0.979, P=0.036; 1-year: HR = 0.557, 95% CI: 0.445–0.698, P<0.001). Conclusion. Low fT3 levels were strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients with STEMI. Measurement of fT3 levels may be a valuable and simple way to identify high-risk STEMI patients

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of a novel substrate-based radiofrequency ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: a prospective, randomised, parallel-controlled, single-blinded study protocol

Introduction Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, a single ablation strategy does not always achieve the desired therapeutic effect in all patients with persistent AF, and individualised strategies are required for different clinical characteristics.Methods and analysis This study aimed to determine the optimal catheter ablation strategy for persistent AF by comparing the efficacy of PVI and BCXL (BC: big circles encircling pulmonary vein isolation; XL: unfixed number of lines based on the left atrial substrate). The BCXL-AF study (clinical trial no. ChiCTR2200067081) was designed as a prospective, randomised, parallel-controlled, single-blinded clinical trial. Overall, 400 patients with persistent AF were randomised in a 1:1 ratio into PVI-only and BCXL-individualised ablation groups. Patients randomised to the individualised ablation group will be further categorised into risk strata according to their clinical condition using the actual ablation method determined by the strata. Seven postoperative visits were conducted from discharge to 24 months of age. The primary observation endpoint will be the incidence of atrial tachyarrhythmia (including AF, atrial flutter and atrial tachycardia with a duration of ≥30 s) without using antiarrhythmic drugs after a blank period of 3 months following a single ablation procedure. The BCXL-AF study will assess an optimal approach for persistent AF RF ablation and evaluate the effectiveness of individualised RF ablation strategies in reducing the recurrence rate of AF.Ethics and dissemination The study protocol was reviewed, and ethical approval was obtained from the Army Medical University Human Ethics Committee (approval number: 2022-484-01). All the participants provided written informed consent. This study was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and its amendments. The results of this study will be disseminated through manuscript publication and conference presentations.Trial registration number ChiCTR2200067081

Low Stroke Volume Index in Healthy Young Men Is Associated with the Incidence of Acute Mountain Sickness after an Ascent by Airplane: A Case-Control Study

Background. The aims of this study were to explore the characteristics of left ventricular (LV) functional changes in subjects with or without acute mountain sickness (AMS) and their associations with AMS incidence. Methods. A total of 589 healthy men were enrolled and took a trip from Chengdu (500 m, above sea level (asl)) to Lhasa (3700 m, asl) by airplane. Basic characteristics, physiological data, and echocardiographic parameters were collected both at Chengdu and Lhasa, respectively. AMS was identified by the Lake Louise Questionnaire Score. Results. The oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-systolic volume index, end-diastolic volume index (EDVi), stroke volume index (SVi), E-wave velocity, and E/A ratio were decreased, whereas the heart rate (HR), ejection fraction, cardiac index (CI), and A-wave velocity were increased at the third day after arrival, as evaluated by an oximeter and echocardiography. However, AMS patients showed higher HR and lower EDVi, SVi, CI, E-wave velocity, and E/A ratio than AMS-free subjects. Among them, SVi, which is mainly correlated with the changes of EDVi and altered LV filling pattern, was the most valuable factor associated with AMS incidence following receiver-operator characteristic curves and linear and Poisson regression. Compared with subjects in the highest SVi tertile, subjects in the middle SVi tertile showed higher multivariable Incidence Rate Ratios (IRR) for AMS with higher incidences of mild headache and gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas subjects in the lowest SVi tertile showed even higher multivariable IRR with higher incidences of all the symptoms. Conclusions. This relatively large-scale case-control study revealed that the reduction of SVi correlated with the altered LV filling pattern was associated with the incidence and clinical severity of AMS