Zero-knowledge identity authentication for internet of vehicles: Improvement and application

The popularity of Internet of Vehicles (IoV) has made people's driving environment more comfortable and convenient. However, with the integration of external networks and the vehicle networks, the vulnerabilities of the Controller Area Network (CAN) are exposed, allowing attackers to remotely invade vehicle networks through external devices. Based on the remote attack model for vulnerabilities of the in-vehicle CAN, we designed an efficient and safe identity authentication scheme based on Feige-Fiat-Shamir (FFS) zero-knowledge identification scheme with extremely high soundness. We used the method of zero-one reversal and two-to-one verification to solve the problem that FFS cannot effectively resist guessing attacks. Then, we carried out a theoretical analysis of the scheme's security and evaluated it on the software and hardware platform. Finally, regarding time overhead, under the same parameters, compared with the existing scheme, the scheme can complete the authentication within 6.1ms without having to go through multiple rounds of interaction, which reduces the additional authentication delay and enables all private keys to participate in one round of authentication, thereby eliminating the possibility that a private key may not be involved in the original protocol. Regarding security and soundness, as long as private keys are not cracked, the scheme can resist guessing attacks, which is more secure than the existing scheme.

Anonymity preserving and round effective three-party authentication key exchange protocol based on chaotic maps

Three-party authentication key exchange (3PAKE) is a protocol that allows two users to set up a common session key with the help of a trusted remote server, which is effective for secret communication between clients in a large-scale network environment. Since chaotic maps have superior characteristics, researchers have recently presented some of the studies that apply it to authentication key exchange and cryptography. Providing user anonymity in the authentication key exchange is one of the important security requirements to protect users' personal secrets. We analyse Lu et al.'s scheme which attempts to provide user anonymity and we prove that his scheme has errors in the key exchange phase and password change phase. We propose a round-effective three-party authentication key exchange (3PAKE) protocol that provides user anonymity and we analyse its security properties based on BAN logic and AVISPA tool.

Designing Mobile Applications for Emergency Response: Citizens Acting as Human Sensors

When an emergency occurs, citizens can be a helpful support for the operation centers involved in the response activities. As witnesses to a crisis, they initially can share updated and detailed information about what is going on. Moreover, thanks to the current technological evolution people are able to quickly and easily gather rich information and transmit it through different communication channels. Indeed, modern mobile devices embed several sensors such as GPS receivers, Wi-Fi, accelerometers or cameras that can transform users into well-equipped human sensors. For these reasons, emergency organizations and small and medium enterprises have demonstrated a growing interest in developing smart applications for reporting any exceptional circumstances. In this paper, we present a practical study about this kind of applications for identifying both limitations and common features. Based on a study of relevant existent contributions in this area and our personal direct experience in developing and evaluating emergency management solutions, our aim is to propose several findings about how to design effective and efficient mobile emergency notification applications. For this purpose we have exploited the basic sensors of modern mobile devices and the users’ aptitude for using them. The evaluation consists of a practical and a theoretical part. In the practical part, we have simulated a traffic accident as closely as possible to a real scenario, with a victim lying on the ground near a car in the middle of a street. For the theoretical part, we have interviewed some emergency experts for collecting their opinions about the utility of the proposed solution. Results from this evaluation phase confirm the positive impact that EN application have for both operators’ and citizens’ perspective. Moreover, we collected several findings useful for future design challenges in the same area, as shown in the final redesign of the proposed application.

The general use of outdoor warning sirens: a preliminary survey of emergency managers

With more direct, personal warning systems becoming popular, the continued maintenance of older warning systems, such as outdoor warning sirens, may be jeopardized as emergency managers (EMs) seek to optimize their limited budgets. However, the extent to which sirens are embedded into the American landscape and culture argues against their removal. To better quantify the distribution and use of outdoor warning sirens, an international survey of EMs was conducted to learn more about where siren systems are deployed and how they are operated. Approximately 593 respondents started the 31 question survey with 383 completing it. Questions were asked regarding siren network size, alternative warning systems, siren use and capabilities, and testing. For those without sirens, a series of questions were asked for why sirens were not used. In general, a lack of perceived threat, high costs, and large geographic area kept some jurisdictions from installing sirens. Of those that operate siren networks, half of networks are small (≤10 sirens), while a small percentage of jurisdictions (6.3 percent) operate very large networks (>100). A large majority of respondents expected to maintain or expand their networks within the next 5 years. Three-quarters of respondents use additional warning systems. Nearly half of respondents use sirens for nonweather applications, and nearly two-thirds have the capability to use multiple sound alerts. Overall, sirens remain a popular tool for warning on a variety of local hazards though how the sirens are operated and tested vary widely by jurisdiction.

Understanding and De-risking the Dependencies between Operator and Manufacturer of Clinical IT

Health IT, in addition to benefits can also have unintended consequences both in terms of operational and business risks. Understanding the dependencies between operator and manufacturer as well as issues that need to be addressed during procurement is essential to increase confidence in the operation of health IT. The paper provides the context, and a number of issues health IT operators such as clinical organisations, need to investigate during acquisition of health IT.

Comprehension and acceptability of on-board traffic information: Beliefs and driving behaviour

Co-Drive on-board traffic information system is a complementary tool providing a dynamic management of transportation infrastructure and traffic as well as the diffusion of accurate real-time information about the road environment and motorists' driving behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine drivers' acceptability of Co-Drive by investigating the impact of traffic information provided via on-board display devices on motorists' beliefs and behaviour. 116 drivers (Men=46.6%), between 22 and 62 years, participated to a driving simulator experiment. They were randomly divided into two experimental groups according to the type of display device (Blackberry vs. iPhone) and a control group. The experimental groups were exposed to fourteen on-board traffic messages: warning (e.g., road crash), recommendation (e.g., the use of seat-belt) and comfort messages (e.g., the location of a gas station). They had to validate each message by pushing the headlight flashing button as soon as they understood it. At the end, all participants had to fill in a questionnaire. Drivers evaluated positively the on-board messages, expressed a high level of confidence in the on-board information and estimated having received it sufficiently in advance for them to adjust their behaviour. Regardless of the type of display device, they took more time to read warning and recommendation messages as compared to comfort messages and complied with them. Finally, those exposed to the messages adapted their behaviour easier to the road events than those who did not receive them. Practical implications of the results are discussed.

[Current problems of information technologies application for forces medical service]

The modern information technologies are the key factors for the upgrading of forces medical service. The aim of this article is the analysis of prospective information technologies application for the upgrading of forces medical service. The authors suggested 3 concepts of information support of Russian military health care on the basis of data about information technologies application in the foreign armed forces, analysis of the regulatory background, prospects of military-medical service and gathered experience of specialists. These three concepts are: development of united telecommunication network of the medical service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation medical service, working out and implementation of standard medical information systems for medical units and establishments, monitoring the military personnel health state and military medical service resources. It is noted that on the assumption of sufficient centralized financing and industrial implementation of the military medical service prospective information technologies, by the year 2020 the united information space of the military medical service will be created and the target information support effectiveness will be achieved.

Mobile health applications to assist patients with diabetes: lessons learned and design implications

Self-management is critical to achieving diabetes treatment goals. Mobile phones and Bluetooth® can supportself-management and lifestyle changes for chronic diseases such as diabetes. A mobile health (mHealth) research platform--the Few Touch Application (FTA)--is a tool designed to support the self-management of diabetes. The FTA consists of a mobile phone-based diabetes diary, which can be updated both manually from user input and automatically by wireless data transfer, and which provides personalized decision support for the achievement of personal health goals. Studies and applications (apps) based on FTAs have included: (1) automatic transfer of blood glucose (BG) data; (2) short message service (SMS)-based education for type 1diabetes (T1DM); (3) a diabetes diary for type 2 diabetes (T2DM); (4) integrating a patient diabetes diary with health care (HC) providers; (5) a diabetes diary for T1DM; (6) a food picture diary for T1DM; (7) physical activity monitoring for T2DM; (8) nutrition information for T2DM; (9) context sensitivity in mobile self-help tools; and (10) modeling of BG using mobile phones. We have analyzed the performance of these 10 FTA-based apps to identify lessons for designing the most effective mHealth apps. From each of the 10 apps of FTA, respectively, we conclude: (1) automatic BG data transfer is easy to use and provides reassurance; (2) SMS-based education facilitates parent-child communication in T1DM; (3) the T2DM mobile phone diary encourages reflection; (4) the mobile phone diary enhances discussion between patients and HC professionals; (5) the T1DM mobile phone diary is useful and motivational; (6) the T1DM mobile phone picture diary is useful in identifying treatment obstacles; (7) the step counter with automatic data transfer promotes motivation and increases physical activity in T2DM; (8) food information on a phone for T2DM should not be at a detailed level; (9) context sensitivity has good prospects and is possible to implement on today's phones; and (10) BG modeling on mobile phones is promising for motivated T1DM users. We expect that the following elements will be important in future FTA designs: (A) automatic data transfer when possible; (B) motivational and visual user interfaces; (C) apps with considerable health benefits in relation to the effort required; (D) dynamic usage, e.g., both personal and together with HC personnel, long-/short-term perspective; and (E) inclusion of context sensitivity in apps. We conclude that mHealth apps will empower patients to take a more active role in managing their own health.

Home care and technology: a case study

Health care aides (HCAs) are the backbone of the home care system and provide a range of services to people who, for various reasons related to chronic conditions and aging, are not able to take care of themselves independently. The demand for HCA services will increase and the current HCA supply will likely not keep up with this increasing demand without fundamental changes in the current environment. Information and communication technology (ICT) can address some of the workflow challenges HCAs face. In this project, we conducted an ethnographic study to document and analyse HCAs' workflows and team interactions. Based on our findings, we designed an ICT tool suite, integrating easily available existing and newly developed (by our team) technologies to address these issues. Finally, we simulated the deployment of our technologies, to assess the potential impact of these technological solutions on the workflow and productivity of HCAs, their healthcare teams and client care.

Effective dashboards. What to measure and how to show it

Today, hospitals must measure not only financial health, but also operational efficiency and quality of care. Redesigned dashboards make the data more accessible.

A usability evaluation toolkit for In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVISs)

Usability must be defined specifically for the context of use of the particular system under investigation. This specific context of use should also be used to guide the definition of specific usability criteria and the selection of appropriate evaluation methods. There are four principles which can guide the selection of evaluation methods, relating to the information required in the evaluation, the stage at which to apply methods, the resources required and the people involved in the evaluation. This paper presents a framework for the evaluation of usability in the context of In-Vehicle Information Systems (IVISs). This framework guides designers through defining usability criteria for an evaluation, selecting appropriate evaluation methods and applying those methods. These stages form an iterative process of design-evaluation-redesign with the overall aim of improving the usability of IVISs and enhancing the driving experience, without compromising the safety of the driver.

[Investigation on the information system of immunization site at township level in Jilin province]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the status of the expanded program on immunization (EPI) ralated to the immunization site at towns, and provide reliable base for it.

METHODS

Questionnaires about the status of information system were filled out by all immunization site at towns, and descriptive method was applied to analyze the EPI and infomation service, personnel, equipments, funds and information system status.

RESULTS

Among all the immunigation site in Jilin province, monthly running accounts for 75.85%, vaccination in designated sites and homes accounts for 46.77% and 40.41% respectively; the personnel whose age was under 45-year-old accounts for 77.31%, and the personnel whose work experience was more than 3 years accounted for 86.98%, 39.15% of all the personnel had little knowledge about using computer, and 46.93% of which had basic knowledge. 7.23% of all the immunigation site at towns had computers for EPI management, and 5.53% of which had optical cable or ADSL network service. Funds for EPI related information system and management at all immunization site at towns was little.

CONCLUSION

Computers should be equipped as soon as possible, and computer related training should be enhanced; funds input should be increased. Pilot project about EPI related information network at county level should be carried out to obtain useful experience and to improve the information system so that the EPI related information network could be expanded.

Information technology (IT) use and children's psychological well-being

The relationship between four types of information technology use and eight dimensions of psychological well-being were examined in a sample of 500 African American and Anglo-American girls and boys. Both parent and child ratings of well-being were considered. Findings indicated that greater IT use, but especially greater videogame use, was associated with lower psychological well-being, with one exception: greater Internet use for purposes other than communication was associated with greater psychological well-being. Greater Internet use for communication was associated with more social problems in real life. Gender and race differences in psychological well-being and IT use suggest that African American males may be at risk for the adverse effects of IT use because their videogame playing equals that of Anglo-American males, but their Internet use is the least of all groups.

The future of healthcare IT: what can we expect to see?

A 10- to 15-year healthcare IT strategy should focus on: EHRs. Business intelligence. Customer relationship management. Clinical decision support. Interorganizational systems. Connected care.

A user's guide to the NINDS rt-PA stroke trial database

Robert Dachs and colleagues describe the process for researchers to acquire and decipher the dataset from the original NINDS rt-PA trial.