Active and Passive Monitoring and Analysis of IP Option Header Transparency from Covert Channel Point of View

In a context of network covert channels, unused header fields in communication protocols are vulnerable to embed secret data. An IP Option field in the IP header is considered as one of useful spaces for constructing the Internet-wide network covert channels. On the other hand, IP packets with IP Option have been said non-transparent on the global Internet. This paper investigates how an IP packet with IP option can be going through over the Internet by active and passive monitoring methods. At first, we investigated AS border traffic in an academic AS and a commercial IX. The result was that only four types of IP Options, Route Record (RR), Time Stamp (TS), No Operation (NOP) and End of Option List (EOOL), were observed. Then, we preliminary evaluated transparency of these four types IP Options over the global Internet by probing from ten Planetlab nodes on six countries against 5,000 randomly chosen destination IP addresses and 11,251 intermediate routers. Both destination addresses and intermediate routers were included in 1,132 intermediate ASes. As the active measurement result, 57% routers replied to IP packets with the RR Option, that is, the RR Option was transparent in 914 intermediate ASes on this experiment. On the other hand, 41% of intermediate routers replied probe packets with the TS option, that is, the TS Option was transparent in 811 intermediate ASes on this experiment

Creation of Curved Surface by Lathe Turning -Development of CAM system using original tool layout-

AbstractThe machining of 3D curved surfaces with an un-axisymmetric axis by lathe turning is proposed considering the best machinable tool layout. The best offset tool layout from the central axis of a spindle enables us to machine curved surfaces and to obtain a long tool life for hard material workpieces using a rotary tool. A dedicated NC program for the 3D surface using the original CAM system has been developed and applied to what. The machining results and the validity of our system are evaluated in this paper

ESD Protection Design Optimization Using a Mixed-Mode Simulationand

Abstract -This paper presents a new optimization method of ESD protection design using a mixed-mode ESD simulation with a calibrated model based on DC and TLP characteristics. As a result, the influence of power bus line resistance on ESD protection design is clarified using the calibrated model for each device used in ESD protection circuit. ESD surge flows into an internal circuit easily as the value of the power bus line resistance increases even if the ESD tolerance of a power clamp element is high enough

A Proteomic Approach for Comprehensively Screening Substrates of Protein Kinases Such as Rho-Kinase

BACKGROUND: Protein kinases are major components of signal transduction pathways in multiple cellular processes. Kinases directly interact with and phosphorylate downstream substrates, thus modulating their functions. Despite the importance of identifying substrates in order to more fully understand the signaling network of respective kinases, efficient methods to search for substrates remain poorly explored. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We combined mass spectrometry and affinity column chromatography of the catalytic domain of protein kinases to screen potential substrates. Using the active catalytic fragment of Rho-kinase/ROCK/ROK as the model bait, we obtained about 300 interacting proteins from the rat brain cytosol fraction, which included the proteins previously reported as Rho-kinase substrates. Several novel interacting proteins, including doublecortin, were phosphorylated by Rho-kinase both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This method would enable identification of novel specific substrates for kinases such as Rho-kinase with high sensitivity

Risk stratification for the prognosis of patients with chemoresistant urothelial cancer treated with pembrolizumab

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat urothelial carcinoma (UC) is increasing rapidly without clear guidance for validated risk stratification. This multicenter retrospective study collected clinicopathological information on 463 patients, and 11 predefined variables were analyzed to develop a multivariate model predicting overall survival (OS). The model was validated using an independent dataset of 292 patients. Patient characteristics and outcomes were well balanced between the discovery and validation cohorts, which had median OS times of 10.2 and 12.5 mo, respectively. The final validated multivariate model was defined by risk scores based on the hazard ratios (HRs) of independent prognostic factors including performance status, site of metastasis, hemoglobin levels, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. The median OS times (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups (discovery cohort) were not yet reached (NYR) (NYR–19.1), 6.8 mo (5.8-8.9), and 2.3 mo (1.2-2.6), respectively. The HRs (95% CI) for OS in the low- and intermediate-risk groups vs the high-risk group were 0.07 (0.04-0.11) and 0.23 (0.15-0.37), respectively. The objective response rates for in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups were 48.3%, 28.8%, and 10.5%, respectively. These differential outcomes were well reproduced in the validation cohort and in patients who received pembrolizumab after perioperative or first-line chemotherapy (N = 584). In conclusion, the present study developed and validated a simple prognostic model predicting the oncological outcomes of pembrolizumab-treated patients with chemoresistant UC. The model provides useful information for external validation, patient counseling, and clinical trial design

Pedicle versus free frozen autograft for reconstruction in malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of the lower extremities

Background: Of the biological reconstruction methods for malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, reconstruction with liquid nitrogen has the advantage of maintaining continuity on the distal side of the tumor bone site (pedicle freezing procedure; PFP). This method is expected to result in early blood flow recovery, with early union and low complication rate. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of the PFP and free freezing procedure (FFP) in the lower extremities. Methods: The study included 20 patients (12 men and 8 women) with frozen autografts (FFP, 13 cases; PFP, 7 cases). The mean age of the subjects was 36.3 years (range 11-79 years), and the mean follow-up period was 56.4 months (range 12-142 months). Results: Final bone union occurred in 11 patients in the FFP group (84.6 %) and in 7 patients in the PFP group (100 %). The mean union period in patients who did not need additional surgery was 9.8 months (range 4-21 months) in the FFP group and 4.8 months (range 2-7 months) in the PFP group. Postoperative complications occurred in 8 cases: infection in 3 cases, fracture in 3 cases, and joint destruction in 2 cases. Six FFP patients, and 2 PFP patients (two cases of fracture), developed postoperative complications. Conclusions: The union period was shorter and the rate of postoperative complications was lower with the PFP than with the FFP. We considered that early blood flow recovery might have led to the above results in the PFP. © 2013 The Japanese Orthopaedic Association

World squid fisheries

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Isolation of C11 Cyclopentenones from Two Didemnid Species, Lissoclinum sp. and Diplosoma sp.

A series of new C11 cyclopentenones 1–7 was isolated, together with four known metabolites 9/10, 12 and 13, from the extract of the didemnid ascidian Lissoclinum sp. The other didemnid ascidian Diplosoma sp. contained didemnenones 1, 2 and 5, and five known metabolites 8–12. The structures of 1–7 were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Cytotoxicity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines (HCT116, A431 and A549)

Knee joint preservation surgery in osteosarcoma using tumour-bearing bone treated with liquid nitrogen

Purpose: To preserve the joint structure in order to maintain good limb function in patients with osteosarcoma, we perform epiphyseal or metaphyseal osteotomy and reconstruction using frozen autografts that contain a tumour treated with liquid nitrogen. There are two methods of using liquid nitrogen-treated autografts: the free-freezing method and the pedicle-freezing method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of intentional joint-preserving reconstruction using the free-freezing method and the pedicle-freezing method in patients with osteosarcoma. Methods: Between 2006 and 2014, we performed joint-preserving surgery (12 with the free-freezing method and six with the pedicle freezing method) to treat 18 cases of osteosarcoma (12 distal femurs and six proximal tibias) in patients who had achieved a good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Among the 18 patients (nine boys and nine girls) who had a mean age of 11.6 years, 13 remained continuously disease-free, three showed no evidence of disease, one was alive with the disease, and one died from the disease. Functional outcomes were assessed as excellent in 15 patients and poor in three, with a mean follow-up period of 46.1 months. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) score was 90.2%. Except for one patient who underwent amputation, all patients could bend their knee through >90° flexion, and nine achieved full ROM. All but two patients could walk without aid, and 11 were able to run normally throughout the follow-up period. No intraoperative complications were observed, such as surrounding soft-tissue damage, neurovascular injury, or recurrence from frozen bone. Conclusions: Joint-preserving reconstruction using frozen autografts yielded excellent function in patients with osteosarcoma. © 2017 The Author(s)in Press / Embargo Period 12 month