Realistic, Extensible DNS and mDNS Models for INET/OMNeT++

The domain name system (DNS) is one of the core services in today's network structures. In local and ad-hoc networks DNS is often enhanced or replaced by mDNS. As of yet, no simulation models for DNS and mDNS have been developed for INET/OMNeT++. We introduce DNS and mDNS simulation models for OMNeT++, which allow researchers to easily prototype and evaluate extensions for these protocols. In addition, we present models for our own experimental extensions, namely Stateless DNS and Privacy-Enhanced mDNS, that are based on the aforementioned models. Using our models we were able to further improve the efficiency of our protocol extensions.Comment: Published in: A. F\"orster, C. Minkenberg, G. R. Herrera, M. Kirsche (Eds.), Proc. of the 2nd OMNeT++ Community Summit, IBM Research - Zurich, Switzerland, September 3-4, 201

Pulsatile tinnitus —a review of 84 patients

Pulsatile tinnitus can be annoying for a patient and can also be the only clue to a potentially devastating and life-threatening disease. In order to understand its clinical spectrum and management better we analysed the files of 84 patients seen at our institution over a 10-year period. Noninvasive techniques (ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and angiography were employed as investigations tailored to the individual patient. A vascular disorder [i.e. arteriovenous fistula, dissection of the internal carotid artery (ICA), fibromuscular dysplasia, aneurysm of the ICA and sinus thrombosis] was found in 36 patients (42%), most commonly a durai arteriovenous fistula or a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. In 26 patients with a vascular abnormality, pulsatile tinnitus was the presenting symptom. In 12 patients (14%), nonvascular disorders such as glomus tumour or intracranial hypertension with a variety of causes explained the tinnitus. We conclude that patients with pulsatile tinnitus should be investigated with noninvasive techniques. If these are negative or to clarify abnormal findings of noninvasive techniques selective angiography is needed for diagnosis and to guide treatmen

Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates: pathogen detection and inactivation methods

Whereas the reduction of transfusion related viral transmission has been a priority during the last decade, bacterial infection transmitted by transfusion still remains associated to a high morbidity and mortality, and constitutes the most frequent infectious risk of transfusion. This problem especially concerns platelet concentrates because of their favorable bacterial growth conditions. This review gives an overview of platelet transfusion-related bacterial contamination as well as on the different strategies to reduce this problem by using either bacterial detection or inactivation methods

Role of Bacterial Exopolymers and Host Factors on Adherence and Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus in Foreign Body Infection

Using a previously developed guinea pig model of foreign body infection, we examined ultrastructural and functional surface alterations of Staphylococcus aureus strain Wood 46 during the early phase of infection. Exopolymer-free bacteria were prepared and inoculated into subcutaneously implanted tissue cages. After three hours, the bacteria showed abundant capsular and intercellular exopolymers, which were visualized by transmission electron microscopy. Exopolymers were also produced by S. aureus exposed in vitro to fluid from the tissue cage. In contrast, human serum albumin prevented exopolymer production by S. aureus. The influence of exopolymers on the susceptibility of S. aureus to ingestion and phagocytic killing by neutrophils was tested in vitro and found to be negligible. Furthermore, adherence of S. aureus to fibronectin-coated surfaces was unaffected by the presence or absence of exopolymers. Thus, in our experimental model, exopolymers are produced early during the onset of infection, but they have little impact on adherence and phagocytosi

Severe neonatal hyporegenerative anemia due to anti-Vw (anti-MNS9) alloantibody

No abstract availabl

Parkinsonism with excessive daytime sleepiness: A narcolepsy-like disorder?

Abstract : Background : Parkinsonian patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), hallucinations, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), short mean sleep latencies, and sleep-onset REM periods (SOREMP) on multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) have been reported. In these patients a narcolepsy-like pathophysiology of sleep-wake disturbances has been suggested. Patients and methods : We studied 14 consecutive patients with Parkinsonism and EDS. Standard studies included assessment of duration and severity of Parkinsonism (Hoehn & Yahr score), Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), history of "REM-symptoms” (RBD/hallucinations/sleep paralysis/cataplexy-like episodes), polysomnography (PSG),MSLT, and measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of hypocretin-1 (orexin A). Results : There were 12 men and 2 women (mean age 69 years; range 54-82). The mean duration and the Hoehn & Yahr score were 6.3 years and 2.2, respectively. Diagnoses included idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD, n=10), dementia with diffuse Lewy bodies (n=3), and multisystem atrophy (n=1). The ESS was ≥10 in all patients (mean 12; range 10-18). "REM-symptoms” were reported by all but two patients (hallucinations: n=9; RBD: n=9).None of the patients reported cataplexy-like symptoms or sleep paralysis. On PSG sleep apnea (apnea hypopnea index > 10/h, n=7), periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS-index > 10/h, n=6), and features of RBD (n=5) were found. On MSLT mean sleep latency was < 5 minutes in 10 patients, and SOREMP were found in two patients. When compared with controls (n=20, mean 497 pg/ml; range 350-603), CSF hypocretin-1 levels were normal in 8 patients and low in 2 patients (221 and 307 pg/ml, respectively). Conclusion : These findings do not support the hypothesis of a "final common pathway” in the pathophysiology of narcolepsy and Parkinsonism with EDS. Sleep apnea and PLMS may play a so-far underestimated role in the pathogenesis of EDS in Parkinsonian patient

Replica Placement and Location using Distributed Hash Tables

Abstract—Interest in distributed storage is fueled by demand for reliability and resilience combined with decreasing hardware costs. Peer-to-peer storage networks based on distributed hash tables are attractive for their efficient use of resources and result-ing performance. The placement and subsequent efficient location of replicas in such systems remain open problems, especially (1) the requirement to update replicated content, (2) working in the absence of global information, and (3) determination of the locations in a dynamic system without introducing single points of failure. We present and evaluate a novel and versatile technique, replica enumeration, which allows for controlled replication and replica access. The possibility of enumerating and addressing individual replicas allows dynamic updates as well as superior performance without burdening the network with state informa-tion, yet taking advantage of locality information when available. We simulate, analyze, and prove properties of the system, and discuss some applications. I

Comparative efficacies of imipenem, oxacillin and vancomycin for therapy of chronic foreign body infection due to methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The efficacies of imipenem when directed against methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains of Staphylococcus aureus were compared with those of oxacillin and vancomycin in a subcutaneous rat model, using chronically infected tissue cages. At three weeks after inoculation, stable chronic infections were established with average bacterial counts exceeding 106cfu/mL tissue cage fluid for both strains. Intraperitoneal administration (twice a day for 7 days) of imipenem (80 mg/kg) or oxacillin (200 mg/kg) produced peak levels of 23 or 45 mg/L and trough levels of < 0⋅1 and 5⋅7 mg/L, respectively. The therapeutic regimens of either imipenem (P < 0⋅001) or oxacillin (P < 0⋅02) administered for 7 days led to significant reductions in bacterial counts in the tissue cage fluids of animals chronically infected with MSSA. In contrast, imipenem was not effective against chronic MRSA tissue cage infections, despite the relatively low MIC of the infecting strain and the use of high dose (120 mg/kg) therapy. In-vitro susceptibility testings of MRSA performed before and after imipenem therapy demonstrated the emergence of a highly resistant subpopulatio

Early Termination of a Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Teicoplanin and Flucloxacillin for Treating Severe Staphylococcal Infections

In a prospective, randomized trial, teicoplanin (at a 400-mg intravenous loading dose followed by 200 mg/day intravenously or intramuscularly) was compared with flucloxacillin (8 g/day) in patients with severe staphylococcal infections. Teicoplanin proved unsatisfactory for the following reasons: (1) failures or relapses were more frequent in the teicoplanin group, and (2) blood levels were difficult to predict and tended to be low 24 hr after the loading dose. Future trials with this agent should use much-higher dose

SARA-Service: Langzeitverfügbarkeit und Publikation von Softwareartefakten

Das SARA-Projekt (Software Archiving of Research Artefacts) hat das Ziel, einen neuen wissenschaftlichen Dienst zu entwickeln, mit dem Forschungsdaten und Software langfristig verfügbar gemacht und publiziert werden können. Die Posterpräsentation stellt Motivation, Zielsetzung sowie wichtige Kernelemente des SARA-Service vor. Im Zentrum der Darstellung steht der SARA-Service, der auf Git und den dort bereitgestellten Mechanismus zur Softwareversionierung aufbaut. Hierbei fungiert ein durch die Universität Konstanz bereitgestellter und zukünftig als Landesdienst betriebener GitLab-Server als Langzeitarchiv. Nutzer können hier ihre jeweiligen Versionsstände der Software zentral speichern. Die archivierten Versionen können mit dem SARA-Service zusätzlich in einem DSpace-Repositorium veröffentlicht werden. Der neue Service soll nach Ablauf der Evaluierungsphase grundsätzlich allen Fachdisziplinen zur Verfügung stehen