A software approach to defeating side channels in last-level caches

We present a software approach to mitigate access-driven side-channel attacks that leverage last-level caches (LLCs) shared across cores to leak information between security domains (e.g., tenants in a cloud). Our approach dynamically manages physical memory pages shared between security domains to disable sharing of LLC lines, thus preventing "Flush-Reload" side channels via LLCs. It also manages cacheability of memory pages to thwart cross-tenant "Prime-Probe" attacks in LLCs. We have implemented our approach as a memory management subsystem called CacheBar within the Linux kernel to intervene on such side channels across container boundaries, as containers are a common method for enforcing tenant isolation in Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) clouds. Through formal verification, principled analysis, and empirical evaluation, we show that CacheBar achieves strong security with small performance overheads for PaaS workloads

Migrant workers and psychological health: A systematic review

Migrant workers show an increase in the incidence of serious, psychotic, anxiety, and post-traumatic disorders due to a series of socio-environmental variables, such as loss of social status, discrimination, and separations from the family. The purpose is to elaborate a systematic review and highlight the prevailing psychological pathologies of these workers and categories most at risk. Our research included articles published from 2009 to 2019 on the major databases (Pub Med, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) using a combination of some keywords. The online search indicated 1.228 references. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, we analyzed 127 articles, in particular 12 reviews and 115 original articles. Principal emerging disorders from the research are depressive syndrome (poor concentration at work, feeling down, or anger and somatization), anxiety, alcohol or substance abuse, and poor sleep quality. This causes low life conditions, which is also due to marginalization from the social context and strenuous work; in fact, migrant workers may suffer verbal or physical abuse, and they are often employed in dangerous, unhealthy jobs. It is therefore essential to increase the role of occupational medicine and promote wellbeing for this vulnerable job categor

Health risk assessment related to hydrogen peroxide presence in the workplace atmosphere - analytical methods evaluation for an innovative monitoring protocol

ObjectivesHydrogen peroxide (HP) accounts for 15% of the total global chemical revenue. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the HP concentration immediately dangerous to human life or health is 75 ppm. Operators exposed to HP should pay attention when choosing the monitoring technique that should be specific and sensitive enough to discriminate the exposure levels from background concentrations. In order to assess the long- and short-term exposure to HP in disinfection processes, the authors compared 6 industrial hygiene monitoring methods to evaluate their efficiency in measuring airborne HP concentrations.Material and MethodsAirborne HP concentrations were evaluated using an on-fiber triphenylphosphine solid-phase microextraction method, and they were compared with those obtained using a 13-mm Swinnex titanium oxysulfate filter holder and 4 portable direct-reading electrochemical sensors. A survey carried out in wood pulp bleaching, food and beverage disinfection processing, and in a hospital department to reduce the risk of spreading nosocomial infections, was performed during routine operations to access the risk of HP occupational exposure.ResultsThrough the generation of HP gaseous dynamic atmospheres (0.1–85 ppm), the authors evaluated the consistency of the results obtained using the 6 methods described. The monitoring campaigns showed that the increase in HP could be relatively high (until 67 ppm) in food and beverage processing.ConclusionsIn the authors’ opinion, the current 8-h time-weighted average limits of 1 ppm for HP do not reflect the actual risk; a short-term exposure limit would, therefore, provide a much better protection

Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs in hospital environments: Potential risk associated with contact with cyclophosphamide-and ifosfamide-contaminated surfaces

BackgroundCyclophosphamide (CP) and ifosfamide (IP) contaminations have been detected in hospital environments. This study was conducted to determine if there was any contamination in the spaces (floors and door handles) between the hospital exit and the antineoplastic drugs (ADs) preparation and administration units. At the same time, the authors proposed a new automation of the analytical procedure to considerably decrease the time needed for sample preparation and analysis.Material and MethodsTo evaluate the ADs contamination of surfaces, 829 wipe tests were performed in a campaign involving 3 hospitals located in Italy. Sampling was performed using an innovative kit. The levels of ADs were measured in each wipe sample using liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole.ResultsOn-line solid-phase extraction guarantees the construction of a robust and reproducible analytical method. The CP and IP recoveries from stainless steel, polycarbonate and polyvinyl chloride ranged >80%, and the wipe holders and the automation tested ensured desorption efficiencies close to 100% for both the ADs. Of the 552 wipes taken on the spaces between the hospital exit and the preparation, administration and pharmacy warehouse units, 22 were greater than or equal to the limit of quantification, all adjacent to the administration units.ConclusionsThis study provides an insight into the exposure situation against ADs residues. In order to improve environmental monitoring programs, the authors propose to evaluate the ADs contamination also outside the preparation, administration and pharmacy warehouse units

Allergic anaphylactic risk in farming activities: A systematic review

Allergic disorders in the agriculture sector are very common among farm workers, causing many injuries and occupational diseases every year. Agricultural employees are exposed to multiple conditions and various allergenic substances, which could be related to onset of anaphylactic reactions. This systematic review highlights the main clinical manifestation, the allergens that are mostly involved and the main activities that are usually involved. This research includes articles published on the major databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus), using a combination of keywords. The online search yielded 489 references; after selection, by the authors, 36 articles (nine reviews and 27 original articles) were analyzed. From this analysis, the main clinical problems that were diagnosed in this category were respiratory (ranging from rhinitis to asthma) and dermatological (eczema, dermatitis, hives) in nature, with a wide symptomatology (from a simple local reaction to anaphylaxis). The main activities associated with these allergic conditions are harvesting or cultivation of fruit and cereals, beekeepers and people working in greenhouses. Finally, in addition to the allergens already known, new ones have emerged, including triticale, wine, spider and biological dust. For these reasons, in the agricultural sector, research needs to be amplified, considering new sectors, new technologies and new products, and ensuring a system of prevention to reduce this risk.peer-reviewe

Response to letter to the editor regarding physical restraint in psychiatric setting

The following letter addresses the issues of the applicability of physical restriction, with particular attention to the therapeutic regime and its meaning as a therapeutic or restrictive provision, while considering possible alternative measures in the context of Italian jurisprudence. The letter, in response to the questions posed by Cioffi and Tomassini, examines the possible legal implications for doctors and suggests that the integration of jurisprudence and psychiatry seems to be mandatory to define the operational protocols for the management of physical restraint. Introduzione. La seguente lettera affronta il problema relativo all’applicabilità della contenzione fisica, con particolare riferimento al regime terapeutico, nonché la sua valenza giuridica quale misura terapeutica o restrittiva, considerando eventuali approcci alternativi. La lettera, in risposta alle domande poste da Cioffi e Tomassini, esamina le possibili implicazioni legali cui possono incorrere i medici nell’applica-re la contenzione fisica, suggerendo la necessità di un’integrazione tra le norme giurisprudenziale e la scienza psichiatrica, al fine di definire i protocolli operativi di gestione della contenzione fisica

The importance of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) as a complementary diagnostic technique to traditional autopsy in a case of asphyxia related-death

Although asphyxia related-death is a common occurrence in forensic setting, traditional autopsy with neck dissection is not always sufficient to gain information about potential injuries of the deep structures of the neck. In this case a 40 years-old white female was found unresponsive on the floor of her living room, in supine position with a widespread brownish area on her neck. A preliminary PMCT examination showed a fracture line within the hyoid bone. This finding was confirmed by the autopsy, which revealed soft tissue’s haemorrhage of the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles and a fracture of the right horn of the hyoid bone. A 3D reconstruction of the event showed the aggressor standing behind the victim while holding his arm around her neck. Our study demonstrates that, PMCT represent an effective aid to traditional examination techniques in order to visualize fractures. The former always requires to be associated with autoptic examination