A Secure Cloud-Based SCADA Application: the Use Case of a Water Supply Network

Cloud computing paradigm is gaining more and more momentum, to the extent that it is no more confined to its initial application domains, i.e. use by enterprises and businesses willing to lower costs or to increase computing capacity in a flexible manner. In particular, increasing interest is recently being paid to the huge potentials - in terms of benefits for the society at large - that might result from the adoption of cloud computing technology by critical infrastructure (CI) operators. This is of course putting special emphasis on the need for dependable and trustworthy security mechanisms in cloud technology based services, since a critical infrastructure is vital for essential functioning of a country. Incidental or deliberate damages to a CI have serious impacts on the economy, and possibly make essential services unavailable to the communities it serves. In this paper we present the proof-of concept of a cloud-based Water Supply Network Monitoring (WSNM) application, named RiskBuster (RB), that ensures the confidentiality and integrity of SCADA monitoring data collected from dam sensors and stored in the cloud by using the innovative Intel Software Guard eXtension (SGX) technology

Stroke due to Percheron artery occlusion: description of a consecutive case series from Southern Portugal

The artery of Percheron (AOP) is an abnormal variant of the arterial supply of the thalamus. Stroke caused by AOP occlusion is seldom reported. AOP leads to bilateral thalamic and rostral midbrain infarct presenting with unspecific manifestations. There are few descriptions of case series of stroke caused by AOP. We sought to review the clinicoradiological characteristics of AOP infarction from Algarve, Southern Portugal. Eight consecutive cases were retrospectively identified by searching the electronic clinical charts, as well as the stroke Unit database (2015–2020). Sociodemographic (age and gender) and clinicoradiological characteristics (etiological classification, admission severity, manifestations, and short- and long-term prognoses) were retrieved. The corresponding frequency of AOP infarction was 0.17% (95% confidence interval: 0.05–0.28). The mean age was 67.1 (range: 60–80) years. The range of stroke severity evaluated assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale ranged from 5 to 23 (median ¼ 7.5). None of the patients receive acute ischemic stroke reperfusion treatment. AOP patterns were isolated bilateral paramedian thalamic (n ¼ 2), bilateral paramedian and anterior thalamic (n ¼ 2), and bilateral paramedian thalamic with rostral midbrain (n ¼ 4). Two patients (20%) died on the short term (30 days). At hospital discharge, six patients had functional disability of 2 on the modified Rankin scale. In the follow-up at 6 months, half (n ¼ 3) of the survivors had persistent hypersomnia and two had vascular dementia. Stroke from AOP presents with variable clinical and radiological presentations and patients do not receive alteplase. The shortterm survivor and the long-term functional independency can be compromised after AOS infarct.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Coherent pulse synthesis: Towards sub-cycle optical waveforms

The generation of sub-optical-cycle, carrier–envelope phase-stable light pulses is one of the frontiers of ultrafast optics. The two key ingredients for sub-cycle pulse generation are bandwidths substantially exceeding one octave and accurate control of the spectral phase. These requirements arevery challenging to satisfy with a single laser beam, and thus intense research activity is currently devoted to the coherent synthesis of pulses generated by separate sources. In this review we discuss the conceptual schemes and experimental tools that can be employed for the generation, amplification, control, and combination of separate light pulses. The main techniques for the spectrotemporal characterization of the synthesized fields are also described. We discuss recent implementations of coherent waveform synthesis: from the first demonstration of a single-cycle opticalpulse by the addition of two pulse trains derived from a fiber laser, to the coherent combination of the outputs from optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifiers

Toward Waveform Nonlinear Optics Using Multimillijoule Sub-Cycle Waveform Synthesizers

Waveform nonlinear optics aims to study and control the nonlinear interactions of matter with extremely short optical waveforms custom-tailored within a single cycle of light. Different technological routes to generate such multimillijoule sub-optical-cycle waveforms are currently pursued, opening up unprecedented opportunities in attoscience and strong-field physics. Here, we discuss the experimental schemes, introduce the technological challenges, and present our experimental results on high-energy sub-cycle optical waveform synthesis based on (1) parametric amplification and (2) induced-phase modulation in a two-color-driven gas-filled hollow-core fiber compressor. More specifically, for (1), we demonstrate a carrier-envelope-phase (CEP)-stable, multimillijoule three-channel parametric waveform synthesizer generating a >2-octave-wide spectrum (0.52-2.4 μm). After two amplification stages, the combined 125-μJ output supports 1.9-fs FWHM waveforms; energy scaling to >2 mJ is achieved after three amplification stages. FROG pulse characterization of all three second-stage outputs demonstrates the feasibility to recompress all three channels simultaneously close to the Fourier limit and shows the flexibility of our intricate dispersion management scheme for different experimental situations. For (2), we generate CEP-stable 1.7-mJ waveforms covering 365-930 nm (measured at 1% of the peak intensity) obtained from induced-phase modulation in a two-color-driven gas-filled hollow-core fiber. Using custom-designed double-chirped mirrors and a UV spatial light modulator will permit compression close to the 0.9-fs FWHM transform limit. These novel sources will become versatile tools for controlling strong-field interactions in matter and for attosecond pump-probe spectroscopy using VIS/IR and XUV/soft-X-ray pulses

Multimillijoule sub-optical-cycle parametric waveform synthesis for attosecond science

We present a phase-stable, multi-mJ 3-channelparametric synthesizer generating 2-octave-wide waveforms (0.52-2.4 μm). After two amplification stages, the combined 125-μJ output supports 1.9-fs waveforms. The energy is scaled to 2 mJ after three amplification stages

High-energy sub-cycle optical waveform synthesizer

High-energy sub-cycle optical waveform synthesis is demonstrated with a three-channel OPA pumped by an 18-mJ cryogenically cooled Ti:sapphire laser. The system aims towards multi-mJ, 2-fs, phase-stable pulses covering the wavelength range from 0.52 - 2.4μ

The IgA nephropathy Biobank. An important starting point for the genetic dissection of a complex trait

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) or Berger's disease, is the most common glomerulonephritis in the world diagnosed in renal biopsied patients. The involvement of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of the IgAN is evidenced by ethnic and geographic variations in prevalence, familial clustering in isolated populations, familial aggregation and by the identification of a genetic linkage to locus IGAN1 mapped on 6q22–23. This study seems to imply a single major locus, but the hypothesis of multiple interacting loci or genetic heterogeneity cannot be ruled out. The organization of a multi-centre Biobank for the collection of biological samples and clinical data from IgAN patients and relatives is an important starting point for the identification of the disease susceptibility genes. DESCRIPTION: The IgAN Consortium organized a Biobank, recruiting IgAN patients and relatives following a common protocol. A website was constructed to allow scientific information to be shared between partners and to divulge obtained data (URL: ). The electronic database, the core of the website includes data concerning the subjects enrolled. A search page gives open access to the database and allows groups of patients to be selected according to their clinical characteristics. DNA samples of IgAN patients and relatives belonging to 72 multiplex extended pedigrees were collected. Moreover, 159 trios (sons/daughters affected and healthy parents), 1068 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN and 1040 healthy subjects were included in the IgAN Consortium Biobank. Some valuable and statistically productive genetic studies have been launched within the 5(th )Framework Programme 1998–2002 of the European project No. QLG1-2000-00464 and preliminary data have been published in "Technology Marketplace" website: . CONCLUSION: The first world IgAN Biobank with a readily accessible database has been constituted. The knowledge gained from the study of Mendelian diseases has shown that the genetic dissection of a complex trait is more powerful when combined linkage-based, association-based, and sequence-based approaches are performed. This Biobank continuously expanded contains a sample size of adequately matched IgAN patients and healthy subjects, extended multiplex pedigrees, parent-child trios, thus permitting the combined genetic approaches with collaborative studies

PALLIATIVE CARE AND THE QUALITY-OF-LIFE COMMUNITY DWELLING OLDER ADULTS IN THE END OF LIFE: EUROPEAN'S REALITY

Dissertação de Mestrado em Geriatria apresentada à Faculdade de MedicinaDue to age progression and related development of comorbidities, quality of life (QoL) preservation acquires a higher importance, especially in the elderly in the last years of life, in which they may need Palliative Care (PC).The present study aimed to 1) analyze the QoL of elderly people (≥65 years old) from the community in the last years of life (i.e., up to 2 years) and compare the QoL of those who died or seek PC in the last years of life compared to those who did not seek PC at an European level; as well as 2) to analyze the influence of socioeconomic factors (i.e., gender, age, marital status, education and financial difficulties), mental/emotional health (i.e., presence of depressive symptoms, loneliness, satisfaction with life and satisfaction with social support), cognitive function (i.e., temporal orientation, numeracy, verbal fluency and memory), physical health (i.e., limitations in activities of daily living, limitations in instrumental activities of daily living, perceived health, presence of chronic diseases, polypharmacy and nutritional status) and physical activity can affect the QoL of these elderly people.Data from 2,252 participants (47.1% women), with a mean age of 81.4 (±8.1) years, from 18 countries, included in waves 6 and 7 of the SHARE project (Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe) were analyzed using descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests and regression models.Of the total sample, 37.1% of the participants died or seek PC in the last years of life. A meaningful heterogeneity was observed between countries, not only in the number of participants (e.g., Luxembourg n=25; Spain n =333), but also in the proportion of participants who died or seek PC in the last years of life (e.g., France 58.0%; Czech Republic, Germany or Slovenia 19.9%, 18.2% and 10.4% , respectively; p<.05), on QoL (max. Switzerland 35.3 ± 8.0; min. Greece 26.5 ± 1.2; p<.001), and on the difference in QoL between participants who died or seek PC and those who did not seek PC. In Germany and Switzerland, a higher QoL was observed in participants who died or seek PC in the last years of life (MD= 4.4 ± 2.0; p=.040; MD= 5.7 ± 2.3; p=.015). In contrast, in France, a lower QoL was observed in participants who died or seek PC in the last years of life (MD= -3.0 ± 1.4; p=.030). PC was shown to predict QoL only in the unadjusted model (β=0.04; 95%CI: 0.01 to 0.33; p=.049), losing its significance when adjusted, for example, for the country (p=.051). The mental/emotional health variables the best association with QoL, explaining 42% of the QoL variance. Of these, the presence of depression symptoms stands out, explaining in isolation 31% of QoL variance. The presence of depression symptoms showed to be inversely associated with QoL (β=-0.55; 95%CI: -9.17 to -8.10; p<.001).The results of the present study highlight the complexity of QoL in the elderly in the last years of life, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches to improve QoL in this life stage. The associations between socioeconomic factors, mental and physical health, physical activity, social support, cognitive function, and seek PC highlight the importance of understanding these aspects in an interdisciplinary way. Although the use of PC can influence the QoL of elderly people in the last years of life, this influence is small, compared to other factors such as culture, access and availability of PC (associated with the country), as well as mental/emotional health, physical health, cognitive function, physical activity and socioeconomic factors (in the individual domain). These aspects highlight the crucial importance of psychological dimensions in determining QoL, thus underlining the need for interventions that consider mental health to promote a satisfactory QoL in the elderly during the last years of life. More studies, namely with a longitudinal design, are needed to better understand this relationship.Com a progressão da idade e o aparecimento de comorbilidades, a preservação da qualidade de vida (QV) adquire uma elevada importância, principalmente em idosos nos últimos anos de vida, em que poderão vir a precisar de Cuidados Paliativos (CP).O presente trabalho teve como objetivos 1) analisar a QV de idosos (≥65 anos) da comunidade nos últimos anos de vida (i.e., até 2 anos) e comparar a QV daqueles que faleceram ou recorreram a CP nos últimos anos de vida comparativamente aos que não recorreram a CP, a nível europeu; bem como 2) analisar a influência dos fatores socioeconómicos (i.e., género, idade, estado civil, escolaridade e dificuldades financeiras), saúde mental/emocional (i.e., presença de sintomas depressivos, solidão, satisfação com a vida e satisfação com o suporte social), função cognitiva (i.e., orientação temporal, numeracia, fluência verbal e memória), saúde física (i.e., limitações para as atividades da vida diária, limitações nas atividades instrumentais da vida diária, saúde percebida, presença de doenças crónicas, polimedicação e estado nutricional) e a atividade física podem afetar a QV destes idosos.Os dados de 2,252 participantes (47,1% mulheres), com uma idade média de 81,4 (±8,1) anos, oriundos de 18 países, incluídos nas waves 6 e 7 do projeto SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) foram analisados através de análise descritiva, testes-t para amostras independentes e diversos modelos de regressão.Do total da amostra, 37.1% dos participantes faleceu ou recorreu a CP nos últimos anos de vida, tendo-se observado uma grande heterogeneidade entre as amostras de cada país, não só no número de participantes (ex. Luxemburgo n=25; Espanha n=333), mas também na proporção de participantes que faleceram ou recorreram a CP nos últimos anos de vida (ex. França 58,0%; República Checa, Alemanha ou Eslovénia 19,9%, 18,2% e 10,4%, respetivamente; p<,05), na QV (max. Suíça 35,3 ± 8,0; min. Grécia 26.5 ± 1,2; p<,001), e na diferença da QV entre participantes que faleceram ou recorreram a CP e aqueles que não recorreram a CP. Na Alemanha e Suíça observaram-se valores de QV superiores nos participantes que faleceram ou recorreram a CP nos últimos anos de vida (MD= 4,4 ± 2,0; p=,040; MD= 5,7 ± 2,3; p=,015). Contrariamente, na França observaram-se valores de QV inferiores nos participantes que faleceram ou recorreram a CP nos últimos anos de vida (MD= -3,0 ± 1,4; p=,030). O recurso a CP mostrou predizer a QV apenas no modelo não ajustado (β=0,04; IC95%: 0,01 a 0,33; p=,049), perdendo a sua significância quando ajustado, por exemplo, para o país (p=,051). As variáveis de saúde mental/emocional foram aquelas que melhor se associaram com a QV, explicando na sua globalidade 42% da variância da QV. Destas, destaca-se a presença de sintomas de depressão que se mostrou associar de forma inversa com a QV (β=-0,55; IC95%: -9,17 a -8,10; p<,001), explicando isoladamente 31% da sua variância.Os resultados do presente estudo destacam a complexidade da QV em idosos nos últimos anos de vida, enfatizando a necessidade de abordagens holísticas para melhorar a QV nesta fase. As associações entre fatores socioeconómicos, saúde mental e física, atividade física, suporte social, capacidade cognitiva e circunstâncias da morte realçam a importância de compreender estes aspetos de forma interdisciplinar. Embora o recurso aos CP possa influenciar a QV em idosos nos últimos anos de vida, esta influência é de pequena magnitude, comparativamente a outros fatores como cultura, acesso e disponibilidade de CP (associado ao país), bem como à saúde mental/emocional, saúde física, função cognitiva, atividade física e fatores socioeconómicos (no domínio individual). Estes aspetos destacam a importância crucial das dimensões psicológicas na determinação da QV, sublinhando assim a necessidade de intervenções que considerem a saúde mental para promover uma QV satisfatória nos idosos durante os últimos anos de vida. Mais estudos, nomeadamente com um desenho longitudinal, são necessários para melhor compreender esta relação

Progress in the Use of Gadolinium in NCT

The evaluation of possible improvement in the use of Gd in cancer therapy, particularly in the assessment of TPS, in reference to GdNCT, has been analyzed. At first the problem of the gadolinium compounds toxicity was reviewed identifying the Motexafin Gadolinium (De Stasio et al., 2006) as the best. Afterwards, the spectrum of IC and Auger electrons was calculated using a special method. Afterwards, this electron source has been used as input of the PENELOPE code (Salvat et al., 2006) and the energy deposit in DNA was well defined. Taking into account that the electron yield and energy distribution are related to the neutron beam spectrum and intensity, the shaping assembly architecture was optimized through computational investigations (Cerullo et al., 2005). Finally the study of GdNCT was performed from two different points of view: macrodosimetry using MCNPX, with calculation of absorbed doses both in tumour and healthy tissues, and microdosimetry using PENELOPE, with the determination of electron RBE through the energy deposit. The equivalent doses were determined combining these two kinds of data, introducing specific figures of merit to be used in TPS. According to these results, the GdNCT appears to be a fairly possible tumour therapy.JRC.F.3-Energy securit