Fast Arithmetic on ATmega128 for Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Authentication protocols are indispensable in wireless sensor networks. Commonly they are based on asymmetric cryptographic algorithms. In this paper we investigate all categories of finite fields suitable for elliptic curve cryptography on the ATmega128 microcontroller: \F{p}, \F{2^d}, and \F{p^d}. It turns out that binary fields enable the most efficient implementations

Predictive value of clinical and 18F-FDG-PET/CT derived imaging parameters in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim of this study was to validate the prognostic impact of clinical parameters and baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT derived textural features to predict histopathologic response and survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) and surgery. Between 2005 and 2014, 38 ESCC were treated with nCRT and surgery. For all patients, the 18F-FDG-PET-derived parameters metabolic tumor volume (MTV), SUVmax, contrast and busyness were calculated for the primary tumor using a SUV-threshold of 3. The parameter uniformity was calculated using contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Based on histopathological response to nCRT, patients were classified as good responders (< 10% residual tumor) (R) or non-responders (≥ 10% residual tumor) (NR). Regression analyses were used to analyse the association of clinical parameters and imaging parameters with treatment response and overall survival (OS). Good response to nCRT was seen in 27 patients (71.1%) and non-response was seen in 11 patients (28.9%). Grading was the only parameter predicting response to nCRT (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.188, 95% CI: 0.040-0.883; p = 0.034). No association with histopathologic treatment response was seen for any of the evaluated imaging parameters including SUVmax, MTV, busyness, contrast and uniformity. Using multivariate Cox-regression analysis, the heterogeneity parameters busyness (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.424, 95% CI: 1.044-1.943; p = 0.026) and contrast (HR = 6.678, 95% CI: 1.969-22.643; p = 0.002) were independently associated with OS, while no independent association with OS was seen for SUVmax and MTV. In patients with ESCC undergoing nCRT and surgery, baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT derived parameters could not predict histopathologic response to nCRT. However, the PET/CT derived features busyness and contrast were independently associated with OS and should be further investigated

Status Of The FAIR Synchrotron Projects SIS18 And SIS100

A large fraction of the program to upgrade the existingheavy ion synchrotron SIS18 as injector for the FAIR synchrotron SIS100 has been successfully completed. With the achieved technical status, a major increase of theaccelerated number of heavy ions could be reached. Thenow available performance especially demonstrates thefeasibility of high intensity beams of medium charge stateheavy ions with a sufficient control of the dynamicvacuum and connected charge exchange loss. Two furtherupgrade measures, the installation of additional magneticalloy (MA) acceleration cavities and the exchange of themain dipole power converter, are presently beingimplemented. For the FAIR synchrotron SIS100, theprocurement of all major components with longproduction times has been started. With the delivery andtesting of several pre-series components, the phase ofoutstanding technical reserach and developments could becompleted and the readiness for series productionachieved

Ökosystemleistungen in der räumlichen Planung einsetzen: Chancen und Handlungsoptionen

Das Konzept der Ökosystemleistungen bietet eine Möglichkeit, um Natur und Landschaft zu schützen und nachhaltig zu nutzen. In Planungsprozessen kann es genutzt werden, um die Leistungen des Naturhaushaltes zu bewerten, mit anderen Interessen abzuwägen und transparentere Grundlagen für Entscheidungen bereitzustellen. Wenn Ökosystemleistungen als zentrale Bestandteile in Strategien der räumlichen Planung aufgenommen würden, könnten sie die Umsetzung und Wirkung der Planungen im Sinne des Ressourcenschutzes verbessern. Das vorliegende Positionspapier verdeutlicht anhand von zehn Thesen, wie das Konzept der Ökosystemleistungen in der räumlichen Planung genutzt werden kann. Der Arbeitskreis "Ökosystemleistungen in der räumlichen Planung" der ARL hat diese Empfehlungen erarbeitet und benennt zu den Themen "Nutzen", "Einsatzoptionen" und "Handlungsbedarfe" konkrete Ansätze für einen besseren Schutz von Natur und Landschaft. Die Thesen sollen dazu motivieren, das Konzept der Ökosystemleistungen in der Raumplanung einzusetzen und so Transformationsprozesse zu einer nachhaltigen räumlichen Entwicklung anzustoßen.The concept of ecosystem services represents an approach to support the protection and sustainable use of nature and landscapes. In planning processes, it can be used to assess the contributions ecosystems provide to human well-being, to weigh them against other interests, and to support transparent decision-making. If ecosystem services were central in spatial planning, they could improve the protection of natural resources. This position paper presents ten propositions that illustrate how the concept of ecosystem services can be used in spatial planning. The ARL working group "Ecosystem Services in Spatial Planning" has developed these recommendations and suggests specific approaches for better protection of nature and landscape. They address three topics: Benefits, Implementation options, and Actions required. The propositions shall motivate the implementation of the ecosystem services concept in spatial planning and initiate transformative processes towards sustainable spatial development

AEDGE: Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration in Space

Abstract: We propose in this White Paper a concept for a space experiment using cold atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, and to detect gravitational waves in the frequency range between the most sensitive ranges of LISA and the terrestrial LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA/INDIGO experiments. This interdisciplinary experiment, called Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration (AEDGE), will also complement other planned searches for dark matter, and exploit synergies with other gravitational wave detectors. We give examples of the extended range of sensitivity to ultra-light dark matter offered by AEDGE, and how its gravitational-wave measurements could explore the assembly of super-massive black holes, first-order phase transitions in the early universe and cosmic strings. AEDGE will be based upon technologies now being developed for terrestrial experiments using cold atoms, and will benefit from the space experience obtained with, e.g., LISA and cold atom experiments in microgravity. KCL-PH-TH/2019-65, CERN-TH-2019-12