Server Notaries: A Complementary Approach to the Web PKI Trust Model

SSL/TLS is the de facto protocol for providing secure communication over the Internet. It relies on the Web PKI model for authentication and secure key exchange. Despite its relatively successful past, the number of Web PKI incidents observed have increased recently. These incidents revealed the risks of forged certificates issued by certificate authorities without the consent of the domain owners. Several solutions have been proposed to solve this problem, but no solution has yet received widespread adaption due to complexity and deployability issues. In this paper, we propose a practical mechanism that enables servers to get their certificate views across the Internet, making detection of a certificate substitution attack possible. The origin of the certificate substitution attack can also be located by this mechanism. We have conducted simulation experiments and evaluated our proposal using publicly available, real-world BGP data. We have obtained promising results on the AS-level Internet topology

Vagal nerve stimulation effects on generalized-partial seizures and medication in adult drug-resistant epilepsy patients

AIm: The aim of this study was to find out if vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) affect the generalized-partial seizure count and medical treatment in adult drug resistant epilepsy patients. Mater Ial and Methods: Twenty adult patients who were diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy were investigated retrospectively for vagal nerve stimulator implantation between 2001 and 2010 at the Neurosurgery Departments of Ufuk University and Gulhane Military Medical Academy. The effects of vagal nerve stimulation on generalized-partial seizures and medical treatment was scored and if a significant difference was found, a comparison was made by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and Pairwise. For all the group analyses, the statistical significant rank was accepted as a p value <0.05. Bonferroni correction was made when it was needed during pairwise comparisons. Results : VNS significantly decreased the scores of generalized-partial seizures. There was no decrease in the doses of antiepileptic drugs and the medical treatment was resumed as before the implantation. The results were correlated with the relevant literature. ConclusIon: VNS is an alternative treatment option for drug resistant epilepsy for patients who are not ideal candidates for surgery or are not healed after epilepsy surgery

Mini-plate fixation via sinus tarsi approach is superior to cannulated screw in intra-articular calcaneal fractures: A prospective randomized study

WOS: 000441599800001PubMed ID: 30101667Objective: Intra-articular displaced calcaneal fractures are common fractures and are often treated with surgical interventions. Sinus tarsi approach provides secure access to lateral wall and joint facets. The aim of the study is to compare cannulated screw (CS) fixation and mini-plate (MP) fixation via sinus tarsi approach with Sanders types 2 and 3 fracture of calcaneus. Methods: Sixty patients with Sanders types 2 and 3 calcaneal fracture underwent surgical intervention were randomly allocated into two groups as group MP fixation and group CS fixation regarding osteosynthesis method for 5-year period. Open reduction via sinus tarsi approach was performed in both groups. Demographic variables, time to surgery (TS), operation duration (OD), length of hospital stay (LOS), surgical complications, and reoperations were recorded. Pre- and postoperative Gissane and Bohler angles; calcaneal length, height, and width; ankle anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral X-rays; and computed tomography were also recorded for radiological evaluation and fracture characteristics. Maryland Foot Score (MFS) was used to evaluate functional outcomes. Results: Preoperative age, type of fracture, calcaneal length, height, and Gissane and Bohler angles, TS, LOS, and OD were not different between the groups. The postoperative calcaneal widening was significantly better restored in group MP compared with that of group CS. The incidence of reoperation and algoneurodystrophy was statistically higher in group CS than group MP. MFS in group MP was also higher than group CS at final visit. Conclusion: MP fixation via sinus tarsi approach is superior to CS fixation in Sanders types 2 and 3 calcaneal fractures

Hormone replacement therapy process and effects of reproductive factors on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

Amaç: Menopoz sonrası kadınlarda hormon replasman tedavi (HRT) sürecinin ve parite, menopoz yaşı, menopoz süresi gibi reprodüktif faktörlerin kemik mineral yoğunluğu üzerine etkileri araştırıldı. Hastalar ve Yöntemler: Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kadın Hastalıkları ve Doğum Kliniği Menopoz Polikliniği'ne başvuran 322 menopoz sonrası kadının (ort. yaş 52.4±6.2; dağılım 38-76) yaş, reprodüktif öykü ve hormon replasmanı ile ilgili bilgileri arşivden çıkarıldı. Hastalar, östrojen kullanım süreleri ve halen kullanmakta olup olmadıklarına göre sınıflandırıldı ve bu özelliklerinin kemik mineral yoğunluğuna etkileri analiz edildi. Kadınların lomber vertebra, femur, trokanter ve wards kemik dansitometreleri DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorpsiometri) yöntemiyle ölçüldü. Bulgular: Hormon replasman tedavisi kullanımı üç yıldan fazla olan menopoz sonrası kadınlardaki wards ve trokanter kemik mineral yoğunlukları, üç yıldan az olanlara göre anlamlı olarak yüksek bulundu. Vertebral kemik yoğunlukları, üç yılın üzerinde HRT kullananlarda hiç kullanmayanlara göre daha yüksek saptandı. Wards ve vertebral kemik yoğunluğu değerleri, halen HRT'yi kullanmakta olan ve üç yıldan daha uzun süredir kullananlarda hiç HRT kullanmamış kadınlara göre daha yüksek tespit edildi. Geçmişte HRT kullanıp sonradan bırakmış olan kadınlarda kemik mineral yoğunluğu değerleri hiç HRT kullanmamış olan kadınlardan farklı olmadığı bulundu.. Parite ve menopoz sonrasında geçen süre artışının kemik yoğunluğunu düşürdüğü görüldü. Sonuç: Vertebra ve kalça kemik mineral yoğunlukları, HRT kullanımının ancak üç yıl veya daha uzun süreli kullanımlarında ve HRT'nin kullanıldığı dönem içinde artmaktadır. Parite ve menopoz sonrası geçen süre ise osteoporoz riskini artıran faktörlerdir.Objectives: The effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and reproductive factors such as parity, age of menopause, and duration of menopause on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women were investigated. Patients and Methods: Age, reproductive history and HRT data of 322 postmenopausal women (mean age 52.4&plusmn;6.2 years; range 38- 76) who applied to the outpatient menopause clinic of Trakya University Medical Faculty were gathered from the medical archives of the outpatient clinic. Patients were grouped according to the duration and current status of estrogen therapy and the effects of these variables on BMD were analysed. Bone mineral densities of lumbar spine, femur, trochanter, and Ward's triangle sites were measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Results: Bone mineral densities of trochanter, and Ward's triangle sites of postmenopausal women who received HRT for more than 3 years were found to be significantly higher than those women who were treated for less than 3 years. Vertebral bone densities were significantly higher in postmenopausal women who received HRT for more than 3 years, compared to those women who were never treated with HRT. Ward's triangle and vertebral bone densities were significantly higher in postmenopausal women who received HRT for more than 3 years and those currently on HRT, compared to those women who never received HRT. BMD values of women who started but interrupted their HRTs, were similar to the values found in women who never received HRT. Increasing parity and duration of menopause were the factors that reduced BMD values. Conclusion: It appeared that BMD of hip and spine increased in postmenopausal women after the third or more years on HRT and during the period of treatment with HRT. Parity and duration of menopause were identified as factors which increase the risk of osteoporosis

THE EFFECTS OF 3D MODELING ON PLANNING OF MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY: A Preliminary CBCT STUDY

Abstract: Objectives: The aim is to evaluate the contribution of 3D modeling data to the planning of the maxillofacial surgery and to determine the indications of 3D modeling. Materials and Methods: In this preliminary study, CBCT images of 2 patients with the Kodak 9000 3D (Kodak Carestream Health, Trophy, France) system were used. The segmentation procedures of the pathologies were performed manually, and was followed by the construction of the 3D models. A questionnaire was prepared by consensus of the research team, including the parameters which are critical in preoperative maxillofacial surgery planning. Five oral and maxillofacial surgeons independently evaluated both the traditional CBCT data and 3D model assisted data under the same viewing conditions. The extent of their decision change was scored using a 2 point Likert scale. Conventional (pre 3D model) versus 3D model assisted data (post 3D model) scores were analyzed. Pair-wise comparisons were completed using Fisher’s exact test (P &lt; 0.05). Kappa was used to measure inter-observer agreement. Results: In both of the evaluation sessions (pre and post 3D model), operation time, defect size and complication risk factors showed the highest variation for both patients. The difference between the decision change proportions for the variables of pre and post 3D model sessions were not statistically significant (p&gt;0.05). Except 2 observers with excellent agreement for both evaluations (p=0.036), the agreement rates were fair without statistical significance. Conclusions: The results confirmed that personalized 3D modeling constructed by CBCT data may lead to changes in surgical treatment planning protocol of complex cases

The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: Pharmacological and toxicological considerations

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The prevalence of diabetes is on a steady increase worldwide and it is now identified as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century. In Nigeria, the use of herbal medicine alone or alongside prescription drugs for its management is quite common. We hereby carry out a review of medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes management in Nigeria. Based on the available evidence on the species׳ pharmacology and safety, we highlight ways in which their therapeutic potential can be properly harnessed for possible integration into the country׳s healthcare system. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical information was obtained from a literature search of electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus up to 2013 for publications on medicinal plants used in diabetes management, in which the place of use and/or sample collection was identified as Nigeria. ‘Diabetes’ and ‘Nigeria’ were used as keywords for the primary searches; and then ‘Plant name – accepted or synonyms’, ‘Constituents’, ‘Drug interaction’ and/or ‘Toxicity’ for the secondary searches. Results: The hypoglycemic effect of over a hundred out of the 115 plants reviewed in this paper is backed by preclinical experimental evidence, either in vivo or in vitro. One-third of the plants have been studied for their mechanism of action, while isolation of the bioactive constituent(s) has been accomplished for twenty three plants. Some plants showed specific organ toxicity, mostly nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic, with direct effects on the levels of some liver function enzymes. Twenty eight plants have been identified as in vitro modulators of P-glycoprotein and/or one or more of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, while eleven plants altered the levels of phase 2 metabolic enzymes, chiefly glutathione, with the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs. Conclusion: This review, therefore, provides a useful resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of plants used in diabetes management so as to ensure a more rational use. By anticipating potential toxicities or possible herb–drug interactions, significant risks which would otherwise represent a burden on the country׳s healthcare system can be avoided

Impact of Technology in Sustainable Tourism Development: Virtual Reality

Tourism has been one of the engines powering the thriving economies, leveraging the quality of lives and transforming the people's sociocultural status worldwide. There is no doubt that innovative technologies are critical and significantly efficient for the economies during a hard time and in blossoming times. Moreover, it is also vital to understand and present some essential issues that harm tourism development. Thus, this chapter strives to offer innovative technology-oriented alternative strategies and practical implications to benefit all the stakeholders at the destination and the consumers by focusing on the long-term benefits. This chapter also aims to understand how technology can take a role to stimulate visitors' motivation and behaviour towards a touristic product or a destination

An Approximation Method for Fractional-Order Models Using Quadratic Systems and Equilibrium Optimizer

System identification is an important methodology used in control theory and constitutes the first step of control design. It is known that many real systems can be better characterized by fractional-order models. However, it is often quite complex and difficult to apply classical control theory methods analytically for fractional-order models. For this reason, integer-order models are generally considered in classical control theory. In this study, an alternative approximation method is proposed for fractional-order models. The proposed method converts a fractional-order transfer function directly into an integer-order transfer function. The proposed method is based on curve fitting that uses a quadratic system model and Equilibrium Optimizer (EO) algorithm. The curve fitting is implemented based on the unit step response signal. The EO algorithm aims to determine the optimal coefficients of integer-order transfer functions by minimizing the error between general parametric quadratic model and objective data. The objective data are unit step response of fractional-order transfer functions and obtained by using the Grünwald-Letnikov (GL) method in the Fractional-Order Modeling and Control (FOMCON) toolbox. Thus, the coefficients of an integer-order transfer function most properly can be determined. Some examples are provided based on different fractional-order transfer functions to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The proposed method is compared with studies from the literature in terms of time and frequency responses. It is seen that the proposed method exhibits better model approximation performance and provides a lower order model

Digital Transformation-Oriented Innovation in Museum Settings via Digital Engagement: Virtual Reality

The digital era has been one of the most popular topics that has drawn a vast amount of attention over the past several decades. Digitalization-oriented innovative approaches to unleash the business potential and improve consumer satisfaction with immersive technologies have been another hot topic among scholars. Although theoretical-based discussion dates back to the 1930s regarding the impact of Virtual Reality, practical aspects of immersive technology are still scant in the current literature. This study proposes several objectives; (a) how advanced immersive technology can revolutionize the accessibility of the museums, (b) how VR technology influences visitors’ motivation, (c) the linkage between VR technology and visit and revisit intentions. Due to the lack of supporting evidence in a museum setting, this chapter also aims to enhance the extant literature by exploring the critical aspects of VR technology. Lastly, this study also intends to come up with constructive, innovative, and creative suggestions for the local and national authorities and museum management teams