An error in On a new formal proof model for RFID location privacy

In Information Processing Letters 110 (2) (2009) 57-61, Deursen and Radomirović evaluated five formal RFID privacy models. One main result is that Ha et al.’s RFID privacy model is incorrect. The supporting fact is that a constant-response protocol cannot pass the test of Ha et al.’s RFID privacy model. However, we demonstrate that the constant-response protocol is artificial, and the corresponding result is therefore unwarranted. It means that Ha et al.’s RFID privacy model is not a trivial model. Hence, more effort still can be made to improve Ha et al.’s RFID privacy model

5-(Pyridin-4-yl)isophthalic acid

In the title compound, C13H9NO4, the two carb­oxy­lic groups and the benzene ring are approximately co-planar with a maximum atomic deviation 0.175 (4) Å, while the pyridine ring is oriented at a dihedral angle of 31.07 (18)° with respect to the benzene ring. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by O—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional supra­molecular framework

Complements and signed digit representations: Analysis of a multi-exponentiation-algorithm of Wu, Lou, Lai and Chang

Wu, Lou, Lai and Chang proposed a multi-exponentiation algorithm using binary complements and the non-adjacent form. The purpose of this paper is to show that neither the analysis of the algorithm given by its original proposers nor that by other authors are correct. In fact it turns out that the complement operation does not have significant influence on the performance of the algorithm and can therefore be omitted

A Chinese Herbal Formula to Improve General Psychological Status in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial on Sichuan Earthquake Survivors

Introduction. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is accompanied by poor general psychological status (GPS). In the present study, we investigated the effects of a Chinese herbal formula on GPS in earthquake survivors with PTSD. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared a Chinese herbal formula, Xiao-Tan-Jie-Yu-Fang (XTJYF), to placebo in 2008 Sichuan earthquake survivors with PTSD. Patients were randomized into XTJYF (n = 123) and placebo (n = 122) groups. Baseline-to-end-point score changes in the three global indices of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and rates of response in the SCL global severity index (GSI) were the primary endpoints. A subanalysis of the nine SCL factors and the sleep quality score were secondary endpoints. Results and Discussion. Compared to placebo, the XTJYF group was significantly improved in all three SCL global indices (P = 0.001~0.028). More patients in the XTJYF group reported “much improved” than the placebo group (P = 0.001). The XTJYF group performed significantly better than control in five out of nine SCL factors (somatization, obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression, anxiety, and hostility (P = 0.001~0.036)), and in sleep quality score (P < 0.001). XTJYF produced no serious adverse events. These findings suggest that XTJYF may be an effective and safe treatment option for improving GPS in patients with PTSD

Relationship between low-density lipoprotein levels on admission and 1-year outcome in patients with acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction

AbstractThis study assessed the relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels on admission and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (ASTEMI). Patients with ASTEMI who had a lipid profile tested within 24 hours of symptom onset were enrolled. They were stratified into high and low LDL-C groups according to whether their LDL-C was above (n = 501) or below (n = 575) the median level, respectively. The incidence of MACE, cardiovascular death, non-fatal MI, revascularization, and stroke was compared between the groups at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard analysis were performed. In-hospital use of beta blockers was better in the high than in the low LDL-C group (76.6% vs. 69.7%, p = 0.01). Statin use was significantly higher in the high than in the low LDL-C group during follow-up (86.8% vs. 80.0%, p = 0.003 at1 month; 71.6% vs. 62.4%, p = 0.002 at 6 months; 67.8% vs. 61.2%, p = 0.03 at 1 year). The incidence of MACE on follow-up at 1 month was higher in the low than in the high LDL-C group (12.0% vs. 8.1%, p = 0.04). At 1 year, survival was not significantly different between the groups. Cox proportional hazards analysis indicated that the incidence of MACE was significantly associated with hypertension, current smoking, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), in-hospital use of beta blockers, and statin use on follow-up (p < 0.01). LDL-C levels on admission in patients with ASTEMI had no significant effect on the 6-month and 1-year incidence of MACE, but the incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the low LDL-C group at 1 month. It would be relevant to further investigate the HDL-C level on admission, in-hospital use of beta blockers, and statin use during follow-up in relation to MACE