Managing data sharing in OpenStack Swift with Over-Encryption

The sharing of large amounts of data is greatly facilitated by the adoption of cloud storage solutions. In many scenarios, this adoption could be hampered by possible concerns about data confidentiality, as cloud providers are not trusted to know the content of the data they store. Especially when the data are organized in objects, the application of an encryption layer is an interesting solution to this problem, because it offers strong confidentiality guarantees with a limited performance overhead. In a data sharing scenario, the management of access privileges then requires an adequate support for key derivation and for managing policy evolution. We present a solution that provides transparent support for the encryption of objects stored on Swift. Our system offers an efficient management of the updates to the access control policy, including revocation of authorizations from some of the sharing users. We explore several alternatives for the architecture, associated with distinct levels of transparency for the applications, and integrate different options for the management of policy updates. Our implementation and experiments demonstrate the easy integration of the approach with existing cloud storage solutions

Evaluation of a large set of patients with Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome from a single reference centre in context of different classifications

Purpose: To characterize patients with APS and to propose a new approach for their follow-up. Query ID="Q1" Text="Please check the given names and familynames." Methods: Monocentric observational retrospective study enrolling patients referred to the Outpatients clinic of the Units of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of our Hospital for Autoimmune diseases. Results: Among 9852 patients, 1174 (11.9%) [869 (73.9%) female] were diagnosed with APS. In 254 subjects, the diagnosis was made at first clinical evaluation (Group 1), all the other patients were diagnosed with a mean latency of 11.3 ± 10.6 years (Group 2). Group 1 and 2 were comparable for age at diagnosis (35.7 ± 16.3 vs. 40.4 ± 16.6 yrs, p =.698), but different in male/female ratio (81/173 vs 226/696, p =.019). In Group 2, 50% of patients developed the syndrome within 8 years of follow-up. A significant difference was found after subdividing the first clinical manifestation into the different outpatient clinic to which they referred (8.7 ± 8.0 vs. 13.4 ± 11.6 vs. 19.8 ± 8.7 vs. 7.4 ± 8.1 for endocrine, diabetic, rheumatologic, and gastroenterological diseases, respectively, p <.001). Conclusions: We described a large series of patients affected by APS according to splitters and lumpers. We propose a flowchart tailored for each specialist outpatient clinic taking care of the patients. Finally, we recommend regular reproductive system assessment due to the non-negligible risk of developing premature ovarian failure

Influence of Sodium Hypochlorite at 2.5% and Edtac at 17% as endodontic irrigants in the adhesion of fiber posts

El propósito de este estudio será evaluar la formación y caracterización de la capa híbrida comparando dos sistemas de grabado con pre-tratamiento de la dentina con una solución de hipoclorito de sodio al 2,5% y Edtac al 17%. Se seleccionarán 60 premolares unirradiculares extraídos por indicación de ortodoncia, conservados en suero fisiológico con gotas de Timol. Los dientes serán divididos en 2 grupos control y 4 grupos experimentales de 10 (n=10) dientes cada uno. Previo acceso, conformación del 1/3 cervical y localización del conducto radicular, se determinará la longitud de trabajo la cual será verificada radiográficamente en sentido VL y MD. Luego se procederá a la preparación quirúrgica, irrigación y obturación del 1/3 apical de todas las piezas dentarias. Se utilizará para la preparación quirúrgica el sistema reciprocante Wave One Gold (Primary) de Dentsply Sirona, para la obturación conos del mismo sistema y sellador AH plus, siendo la longitud de trabajo y obturación a 0,5 mm del 1/3 apical. Una vez realizado el tratamiento endodóntico se evaluará la calidad del mismo mediante radiografías y se procederá al protocolo adhesivo para la cementación de los postes de fibra de vidrio. Por último, cada diente será seccionado en forma perpendicular su eje mayor con discos de diamante a baja velocidad a nivel de los tercios cervical y medio de la raíz, quedando la misma dividida en tres partes: cervical, medio y apical. Las muestras serán tratadas con ácido fosfórico al 37% durante 3 segundos y luego serán inmersas en agua destilada activada mediante ultrasonido con el fin de eliminar restos, limallas y detritus para su mejor visualización. Posteriormente serán analizadas con un microscopio electrónico de barrido ambiental con el objeto de determinar/ comparar las posibles fallas en la adhesión entre el sistema adhesivo o el medio cementante al sustrato dentinario radicular. Los datos obtenidos serán finalmente sometidos a un análisis estadístico.The purpose of this study will be to evaluate the formation and characterization of the hybrid layer by comparing two etching systems with pre-treatment of dentin with a solution of sodium hypochlorite at 2.5% and Edtac at 17%. 60 single-root premolars extracted for orthodontic indications will be selected, preserved in physiological saline with Thymol drops. The teeth will be divided into 2 control groups and 4 experimental groups of 10 (n=10) teeth each. Previous access, conformation of the cervical 1/3 and location of the root canal, the working length will be determined, which will be verified radiographically in VL and MD directions. Then, the surgical preparation, irrigation and filling of the apical 1/3 of all the dental pieces will be carried out. The Dentsply Sirona Wave One Gold (Primary) reciprocating system will be used for surgical preparation, cones of the same system and AH plus sealant will be used for obturation, with the working length and obturation at 0.5 mm of the 1/3 apical. Once the endodontic treatment has been carried out, its quality will be evaluated by means of radiographs and the adhesive protocol will be carried out for the cementation of the fiberglass posts. Finally, each tooth will be sectioned perpendicular to its major axis with low-speed diamond discs at the level of the cervical and middle thirds of the root, leaving it divided into three parts: cervical, middle and apical. The samples will be treated with 37% phosphoric acid for 3 seconds and then will be immersed in distilled water activated by ultrasound in order to remove remains, swarf and debris for better visualization. Subsequently, they will be analyzed with an environmental scanning electron microscope in order to determine/compare the possible failures in the adhesion between the adhesive system or the cementing medium to the root dentin substrate. The data obtained will finally be subjected to a statistical analysis.Facultad de Odontologí

Infected pancreatic necrosis: outcomes and clinical predictors of mortality. A post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study

: The identification of high-risk patients in the early stages of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is critical, because it could help the clinicians to adopt more effective management strategies. We conducted a post hoc analysis of the MANCTRA-1 international study to assess the association between clinical risk factors and mortality among adult patients with IPN. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify prognostic factors of mortality. We identified 247 consecutive patients with IPN hospitalised between January 2019 and December 2020. History of uncontrolled arterial hypertension (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.135-15.882; aOR 4.245), qSOFA (p = 0.005; 95% CI 1.359-5.879; aOR 2.828), renal failure (p = 0.022; 95% CI 1.138-5.442; aOR 2.489), and haemodynamic failure (p = 0.018; 95% CI 1.184-5.978; aOR 2.661), were identified as independent predictors of mortality in IPN patients. Cholangitis (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.598-9.930; aOR 3.983), abdominal compartment syndrome (p = 0.032; 95% CI 1.090-6.967; aOR 2.735), and gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal bleeding (p = 0.009; 95% CI 1.286-5.712; aOR 2.710) were independently associated with the risk of mortality. Upfront open surgical necrosectomy was strongly associated with the risk of mortality (p &lt; 0.001; 95% CI 1.912-7.442; aOR 3.772), whereas endoscopic drainage of pancreatic necrosis (p = 0.018; 95% CI 0.138-0.834; aOR 0.339) and enteral nutrition (p = 0.003; 95% CI 0.143-0.716; aOR 0.320) were found as protective factors. Organ failure, acute cholangitis, and upfront open surgical necrosectomy were the most significant predictors of mortality. Our study confirmed that, even in a subgroup of particularly ill patients such as those with IPN, upfront open surgery should be avoided as much as possible. Study protocol registered in ClinicalTrials.Gov (I.D. Number NCT04747990)

Preliminary control and stability analysis of a long-range eVTOL aircraft

This study proposes a strategy to incorporate control and stability aspects into the preliminarydesign of a tandem-wing, long-range eVTOL aircraft concept. Four operational phases areconsidered: cruise, transition, hover, and ground operation. For cruise, a method to designfor open-loop stability and size aerodynamic control surfaces is presented. Furthermore, acontroller is designed to improve handling qualities. For hover controllability by differentialthrust is considered, and for ground operation, the positioning of the landing gear is performedaccording to clearance and tip-over requirements. A novel analytical model is derived for thetandem wing aircraft in order to estimate during the preliminary design phase the stabilityderivatives of the aerodynamic forces and moments. The transition manoeuvre between verticaland horizontal flight is only treated with qualitative considerations, due to the highly nonlineardynamics involved during this flight phase.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.AerodynamicsAerospace Structures & Computational Mechanic

Preliminary design and analysis of crashworthy structures for a long-range eVTOL aircraft

In aircraft structural design it is of utmost importance to minimise the structural mass while maintaining a durable structure that is able to sustain the design loads for a predetermined number of flight cycles. The present manuscript investigates a methodology for the preliminary design and analysis of a tandem-wing long-range electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. First, a class I weight estimation for initial loads calculation is presented. Next, the flight envelope, main load cases and failure modes considered in this preliminary design are explained. Load approximations for the wing structures in cruise and take-off conditions are presented and discussed. Next, Cessna's class II semi-empirical weight estimation method is applied to calculate the mass of 11 eVTOL aircraft subsystems. A design concept for the wing tilting mechanism is proposed. Thereafter, an initial fuselage layout design is presented, followed by a discussion on design for crashworthiness. The aeroelastic behaviour of the wing and the whirl flutter considering the propeller engine structures is investigated. Lastly, refinements in the design parameterization are implemented concerning the thickness distributions in the structural elements of the wingbox, and finally a sizing of the wing rotating shaft is performed.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanic

COULD SERUM TSH LEVELS PREDICT MALIGNANCY IN THYROID NODULES WITH INDETERMINATE CYTOLOGY?

Objectives: To evaluate the serum thyreotropin (TSH) levels as a possible predictor of malignancy in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients who had ultrasound- guided FNA of thyroid nodules at our Department between September 2014 and February 2018. Only patients with indeterminate cytology and TSH values within the normal range obtained one month before FNA were enrolled. All patients had been submitted to hemi or thyroidectomy in our Institute. Results: Histologic evaluation revealed malignancy in 74/378 (19.6%) nodules. The rate of cancer was significantly lower in TIR 3A (9.8%) than TIR 3B lesions (27.4%), p<0.0001. Patients with malignancy evidenced higher serum TSH levels than those with histological proven benign nodules (3.03±1.16 vs. 2.37±1.19 mIU/L, p<0.001). To better analyze the role of serum TSH as a predictor of thyroid cancer, we subdivided the sample into 4 quartiles of similar size according to patients’ TSH values. The prevalence of malignancy was 12.2% for the first quartile and 50.0% for the last quartile. The ROC curve analysis indicated that a TSH value of ≥2.7 mIU/L identified patients with malignancy with a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 65%. Conclusions: Higher TSH levels are associated with an increasing risk of malignancy in patients affected by thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. The use of TSH can represent an easy adjunctive diagnostic test for decision-making in patients with indeterminate cytological findings

Could Serum TSH Levels Predict Malignancy in Euthyroid Patients Affected by Thyroid Nodules with Indeterminate Cytology?

Background. Serum TSH levels in the upper-normal range were reported to be associated with increased risk of thyroid malignancy. However, measurement of TSH levels is currently not recommended for assessing the risk of malignancy in patients with newly diagnosed thyroid nodules. Objective. To evaluate a possible relationship between the serum levels of TSH and the histological outcome of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology. Materials and Methods. We collected the clinical data of all patients who had performed ultrasound-guided FNA of thyroid nodules with cytological diagnosis of indeterminate lesions (TIR3A and TIR3B) and serum TSH levels within the normal range. All patients had been submitted to thyroid surgery (hemi or thyroidectomy, as appropriate), and histological diagnosis had been performed. Results. A histological diagnosis of thyroid malignancy was rendered in 74/378 (19.6%) nodules. Patients with histologically proven thyroid malignancy were characterized by higher serum levels of TSH as compared to patients with histologically proven benign nodules (3.03 ± 1.16 vs. 2.37 ± 1.19 mIU/L, p<0.001). To further analyze the role of serum TSH in predicting thyroid cancer, patients were stratified in 4 groups according to quartiles of TSH concentrations. The prevalence of malignancy was 12.2% for the first quartile and 50.0% for the last quartile. ROC curve analysis identified that a serum TSH level of ≥2.7 mIU/L predicted thyroid malignancy with a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 65%. Conclusions. TSH levels in the upper-normal range are associated with an increased risk of thyroid malignancy in patients affected by thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology at FNA. The measurement of serum TSH levels represents an easily performed additional tool for decision-making in patients with indeterminate cytological findings