Addressing the Node Discovery Problem in Fog Computing

In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has gained a lot of attention due to connecting various sensor devices with the cloud, in order to enable smart applications such as: smart traffic management, smart houses, and smart grids, among others. Due to the growing popularity of the IoT, the number of Internet-connected devices has increased significantly. As a result, these devices generate a huge amount of network traffic which may lead to bottlenecks, and eventually increase the communication latency with the cloud. To cope with such issues, a new computing paradigm has emerged, namely: fog computing. Fog computing enables computing that spans from the cloud to the edge of the network in order to distribute the computations of the IoT data, and to reduce the communication latency. However, fog computing is still in its infancy, and there are still related open problems. In this paper, we focus on the node discovery problem, i.e., how to add new compute nodes to a fog computing system. Moreover, we discuss how addressing this problem can have a positive impact on various aspects of fog computing, such as fault tolerance, resource heterogeneity, proximity awareness, and scalability. Finally, based on the experimental results that we produce by simulating various distributed compute nodes, we show how addressing the node discovery problem can improve the fault tolerance of a fog computing system

Radiotherapy treatment modification for prostate cancer patients based on PSMA-PET/CT

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, and its diagnosis and treatment are improving. Our study evaluated how PSMA-PET/CT prior to treatment planning might improve the optimal management of prostate cancer radiotherapy.Methods: This retrospective pilot study included 43 prostate cancer (PCa) patients referred to our radiation oncologist department, from the urology department, for radiation therapy. 18F-PSMA-PET/CT was ordered by the radiation oncologists mainly due to the lack of resent image staging. The patients were divided into three different groups according to their initially planned treatments: radical radiation therapy (RT) (newly diagnosed PCa patients), salvage RT (patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy), or oligometastatic RT (oligometastatic PCa patients with good response after systemic treatment).Results: Following PSMA-PET/CT, the initially planned RT was changed for 60.5% of the patients due to new findings (metastases and/or recurrent disease). The final treatment choice was effected by PSMA-PET/CT outcome in 60.5% (26/43) of the patients, and in 50% (16/32) of patients, the radiation treatment plan changed following PSMA-PET/CT. Only 39.5% (17/43) of the patients who underwent PSMA-PET/CT were treated according to their initial treatment plans.Conclusions: Our results indicate that PSMA-PET/CT impacts treatment decisions and the selection of RT as well as adjuvant treatment protocols in the management of prostate cancer.</p

A case of bilateral self-induced keratoconus in a patient with tourette syndrome associated with compulsive eye rubbing: case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tourette syndrome is a neurologic disorder that is characterized by repetitive muscle contractions that produce stereotyped movements or sounds. Approximately 50% of individuals with TS also exhibit obsessive-compulsive behaviors including eye rubbing. We report a case of bilateral self-induced keratoconus in a patient with TS, associated with compulsive eye rubbing.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 35-year-old man was first seen in our clinic as an outpatient due to rapid deterioration of vision in his right eye associated with pain and tearing, over a period of one month. Slit lamp biomicroscopy of the right eye showed a central stromal scar due to corneal hydrops. Clinical examination and corneal topography of the left eye were normal. Six months later the patient developed corneal hydrops of his left eye. During the following examinations his vision continued to deteriorate in both eyes, while a central stromal scar was forming in his left cornea. Four years after the initial examination the patient's visual acuity was no light perception in the right eye and counting fingers at 33 cm in the left eye. His right eye was phthisic.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our patient developed a rapidly progressing bilateral corneal ectasia and phthisis of his right eye during a time period of 4 years. This unusual pattern suggests that the patient's compulsive behavior compromised both of his corneas and led to bilateral keratoconus.</p

Behaviour of hybrid timber-steel beam-to-column connections

This thesis studies the behaviour of hybrid systems consisting of tubular steel columns and laminated glulam timber beams. The research includes experimental investigations at the material and structural system levels as well as several numerical and assessments. Firstly, an extensive experimental programme is conducted on the determination of the material properties of the glulam. This involve compressive, tensile, shear and bending material tests. In addition, one-dowel connection tests are carried out to examine the interaction between the steel fastener and the timber volume around the fastener hole with the aid of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques. Subsequently, detailed three-dimensional detailed models are constructed and their results are compared with the experimental tests. To account for the material damage, the foundation zone approach was used. This model was shown to be able to correctly simulate the crushing response of wood in the embedding region. The implementation of this region into the model allows an accurate simulation of the damage accumulation process. To this end, new relationships were formulated as part of this thesis, that can be used to estimate the material characterisation as a function of the crushing volume. The proposed model allows for a relatively low dependence on the radius of the foundation volume adopted making it applicable to a wider range of varying geometrical configurations. The validity and accuracy of the proposed modified foundation models were examined against the experimental force-displacement curves, and good agreement was found between the experimental response and the numerical simulations The second experimental programme is concerned with the performance of timber beam-steel column assemblages. Two timber beam-to-steel column alternatives are examined: a) top and seat angle connection and b) slotted-in T-stub connection with bolts. The configuration of the connections and their set-up are presented, followed by detailed results in the form of figures and tables as well as observations from the tests. The main behavioural patterns are identified and key response characteristics such as stiffness, capacity and failure mechanisms are discussed. Detailed finite element models were created to simulate the experimental timber beam-to-steel column connection tests. The models included advance features such as contact phenomena, bolt pretension and orthotropic material definitions. The foundation zone approach developed in this thesis was implemented. The results of the models were validated against the experimental results and good agreement was found. Additionally, component-based models were also formulated for the prediction of the flexural response of the connection types tested. These expressions were developed to estimate the stiffness, capacity and ultimate loads of the connections and the results were validated against the experimental and numerical findings. The component models proposed were able to predict the response of the connection accurately including those cases where screws and bottom-wedge angles were involved. In the concluding part of the thesis, the developed finite element models are employed in a parametric assessment in order to highlight the influence of key geometric and material considerations. The dearth of information on timber-steel hybrid connection of this type, design methodologies must be developed to offer a preliminary assessment on the prediction and evaluation of the key characteristics and hence the results are also compared with simplified analytical expressions. Finally, the last section of the thesis summarised all the findings and numerous possible future research are identified.Open Acces

Νεότερα δεδομένα στην διατήρηση της αναπαραγωγικής δραστηριότητας σε νέες γυναίκες με καρκίνο του τραχήλου της μήτρας

Σκοπός: Αυτή η συστηματική ανασκόπηση αποσκοπεί στην αξιολόγηση ογκολογικών και αναπαραγωγικών αποτελεσμάτων μετά από τις τρέχουσες χειρουργικές επιλογές για την διατήρηση της γονιμότητας (FSS) σε πρώιμο στάδιο καρκίνου του τραχήλου της μήτρας καθώς και το ρόλο των πιο συντηρητικών μεθόδων (κωνοειδής εκτομή και απλή τραχηλεκτομή). Επίσης παρουσιάζονται τα τρέχοντα δεδομένα για την κατάλληλη επιλογή ασθενών για FSS. Μεθοδολογία: Αναζήτηση στην βάση δεδομένων Medline – Pubmed χωρίς αρχικό χρονικό περιορισμό έως τον Μάρτιο του 2021. Χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τόσο ελεύθεροι όροι, με τις σχετικές ορθογραφικές παραλλαγές τους, όσο και όροι τύπου MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), καθώς και συνδυασμός αυτών των δύο τύπων όρων και λέξεις -κλειδιά που σχετίζονται με τη γονιμότητα, τον καρκίνο του τραχήλου της μήτρας και τις χειρουργικές τεχνικές. Επιλέχθηκαν μελέτες με &gt; 10 ασθενείς, χρόνο διάμεσης παρακολούθησης &gt; 12 μήνες, με καρκίνο του τραχήλου της μήτρας σταδίων IA1 με λεμφαγγειακή διήθηση (LVSI), IA2, IB1, IB2 ή IIA κατά FIGO 2009, των συνήθων ιστολογικών τύπων που υποβάλλονται σε FSS. Αποτελέσματα: Οι μελέτες ομαδοποιήθηκαν με βάση τον τύπο της επέμβασης, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της κολπικής ριζικής τραχηλεκτομής (VRT), της κοιλιακής ριζικής τραχηλεκτομής (ART), της ελάχιστα επεμβατικής ριζικής τραχηλεκτομής (MIRT), και της κωνοειδούς εκτομής ή της απλής τραχηλεκτομής (ST), και μελέτες που περιλάμβαναν νεοεπικουρική χημειοθεραπεία (NACT). Τα συνδυαστικά ποσοστά υποτροπής, θανάτου από τη νόσο, ποσοστού εγκυμοσύνης και γέννησης ζώντων νεογνών υπολογίστηκαν ανά διαδικασία με βάση όλες τις συμπεριλαμβανόμενες μελέτες που περιλάμβαναν αποτελέσματα. Τα αποτελέσματα ήταν τα ακόλουθα: Ποσοστά VRT: υποτροπής 5% θανάτου 2,2%, εγκυμοσύνης 57,9% και γεννήσεων 66,1% Ποσοστά ART: υποτροπής 3,9% θανάτου 1,3%, εγκυμοσύνης 45,8% και γεννήσεων 59,8% Ποσοστά MIRT: υποτροπής 4,9% θανάτου 0,8%, εγκυμοσύνης 61,3% και γεννήσεων 73,1% Ποσοστά Cone/ ST: υποτροπής 4% θανάτου 0,5%, εγκυμοσύνης 60,2% και γεννήσεων 76,1% Ποσοστά NACT: υποτροπής 8,9% θανάτου 1,9%, εγκυμοσύνης 59,1% και γεννήσεων 74,2% Ποσοστά NACT και Cone/ ST: υποτροπής 10,9% θανάτου 4,7%, εγκυμοσύνης 58,5% και γεννήσεων 74,2% Συμπέρασμα: Το FSS του πρώιμου καρκίνου του τραχήλου της μήτρας με VRT, ART ή MIRT έχουν συγκρίσιμα ογκολογικά και αναπαραγωγικά αποτελέσματα σε προσεκτικά επιλεγμένους ασθενείς. Τα δεδομένα για μη ριζικά FSS με κωνοειδή εκτομή ή ST είναι λιγότερο ισχυρά αλλά υποστηρίζουν παρόμοια ογκολογικά αποτελέσματα με τη ριζική τραχηλεκτομή με λιγότερες αναπαραγωγικές επιπλοκές. Η NACT προς το παρόν απαιτεί περισσότερη έρευνα για να ενσωματωθεί στη τρέχουσα πρακτική.Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate oncological and reproductive outcomes following current options of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in early cervical cancer and the role of more conservative methods (conization and simple trachelectomy). There are also presented the current data for the appropriate patient selection for FSS. Methods: Search was done at the Medline - Pubmed database without initial time limit until March 2021. Both free terms, with their respective spelling variations, and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms were used, as well as a combination of these two types of terms with keywords related to fertility, cervical cancer and surgical techniques. There were selected studies with&gt; 10 patients, median follow-up time&gt; 12 months, with stage IA1 cervical cancer with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), IA2, IB1, IB2 or IIA according to FIGO 2009, of the usual histological types submitted to FSS. Results: The studies were grouped by type of surgery, including vaginal radical trachelectomy (VRT), abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART), minimally invasive radical trachelectomy (MIRT), and conization or simple trachelectomy (ST), and studies involving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). The combined rates of recurrence, death from disease, pregnancy rate, and live birth rates were calculated per procedure based on all included studies that included results. The results were are the following: VRT rates: 5% recurrence, 2.2% death, 57.9% pregnancy and 66.1% live birth ART rates: 3.9% recurrence, 1.3% death, 45.8% pregnancy and 59.8% live birth MIRT rates: 4.9% recurrence, 0.8% death, 61.3% pregnancy and 73.1% live birth Conization/ST rates: 4% recurrence, 0.5% death, 60.2% pregnancy and 76.1% live birth NACT rates: 8.9% recurrence, 1.9% death, 59.1% pregnancy and 74.2% live birth NACT and Conization/ST rates: 10.9% recurrence, 4.7% death, 58.5% pregnancy and 74.2% live birth Conclusion: FSS of early cervical cancer with VRT, ART or MIRT have comparable oncological and reproductive outcomes in carefully selected patients. Data of more conservative methods (Conization/ST) are less robust but with similar oncological results to radical cervical resection and with fewer reproductive complications. NACT currently requires more research to integrate into current practice

Η χρήση των Μ.Μ.Ε. και των Social Media από την Ελληνική Αστυνομία ως μέσο ανάδειξης του έργου της καθώς και της ενημέρωσης - προστασίας των πολιτών

Η αρμονική και ασφαλής συμβίωση των μελών μιας κοινωνίας αποτελεί μία από τις βασικότερες επιδιώξεις των σύγχρονων κοινωνιών προκειμένου να επιτευχθεί η αποτελεσματική λειτουργίας τους και κατά επέκταση η εξέλιξη τους. Ωστόσο, οι σύγχρονες κοινωνίες χαρακτηρίζονται για την ετερογένεια τους, καθώς αποτελούνται από άτομα διαφορετικών προσωπικοτήτων και συμπεριφορών. Σε ορισμένες περιπτώσεις, η εν λόγω ανομοιογένεια, δύναται να προκαλέσει συγκρουσιακές καταστάσεις μεταξύ των πολιτών, επισύροντας την εμφάνιση αντικοινωνικών και εγκληματικών συμπεριφορών κατά της ανθρώπινης ζωής. Στο σημείο αυτό, λοιπόν, η Ελληνική Αστυνομία, ο ρόλος της οποίας είναι άρρηκτα συνυφασμένος με τη διαφύλαξη της κοινωνικής ειρήνης, της εθνικής ασφάλειας και της ευταξίας, συνιστά συνδετικό κρίκο μεταξύ των πολιτών και του αισθήματος ασφάλειας. Προς επίτευξη της πολυσχιδούς δράσης της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας κρίνεται εξαιρετικά σημαντική η εύστοχη και συνεχής ενημέρωση των πολιτών είτε μέσω των Μ.Μ.Ε., είτε πλέον μέσω των Μέσων Κοινωνικής Δικτύωσης (Social Media). Για την εξυπηρέτηση του προαναφερθέντα σκοπού υφίσταται στην Ελληνική Αστυνομία ειδικό τμήμα «Διεύθυνσης Επικοινωνίας», το οποίο εδρεύει στο Αρχηγείο της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας. Αναλυτικότερα, το επικοινωνιακό πλαίσιο, εντός του οποίου δύναται να κινηθεί η ενημέρωση του κοινού είναι ευρύ, ωστόσο η παρούσα μελέτη θα επικεντρωθεί στη σημαντικότητα της γνωστοποίησης τόσο της έκβασης εγκληματικών υποθέσεων όσο και των ενεργειών διαχείρισης καταστροφικών φυσικών φαινομένων. Η παρούσα εργασία, λοιπόν, αποσκοπεί αρχικά στην θεωρητική προσέγγιση α) περί της αναγκαιότητας ενημέρωσης της κοινής γνώμης από την Αστυνομία διά μέσω των Μ.Μ.Ε. και των Μέσων Κοινωνικής Δικτύωσης (Social Media) β) κατά πόσο η προβολή μέσω των Μ.Μ.Ε. και των Social Media επιτυχημένων δράσεων σχετιζόμενων με εξιχνίαση εγκληματικών φαινομένων ενισχύει το αίσθημα ασφάλειας των πολιτών και γ) σε ποιο βαθμό η Ελληνική Αστυνομία μέσω των Μ.Μ.Ε. και των Social Media συμβάλλει στην επιτυχημένη διαχείριση κρίσεων και καταστροφών.The harmonious and safe coexistence between the members of a society is considered to be an important factor, so that self realization and therefore, by extension, a regular social development. However, the deep disparate and multiform nature of social groups, that penetrates social relationships, resulting in many cases in the development of antisocial and criminal behaviors against human life, as well as the bursts of destructive natural phenomena, have a definitive impact at social life. At this point, Hellenic Police, the role of which is indissolubly interwoven with the preservation of social peace, national security and orderliness, constitutes an interface between the public and the feeling of safety. In order to achieve the manifold pluralistic action of Greek Police it is considered especially important the insightful and continuous information of the public either through Mass Media or now by Social Media. For the support of the above mentioned purpose a new Department was founded called “Communication Office”, based in Hellenic Police Headquarters. Thoroughly, the communication framework, inside of which public’s information can move around is wide, though the present study will focus on the importance of publicizing the result of criminal cases as well as for the action management of catastrophic natural phenomena. Therefore, the present project is aiming basically in the theoretical approach of a) the necessity for Police in informing the public opinion through Mass Media and Social Media, b) how much does the prominence of successful actions related to solving criminal phenomena through Mass Media and Social Media reinforces the public’s feeling of safety and c) in which level does Hellenic Police contributes through Mass Media and Social Media in the successful management of crisis and disasters

Addressing emergency situations resulting from natural or anthropogenic disasters

107 σ.Διερεύνηση των επιστημονικών κλάδων της Διαχείρισης Κινδύνων, της Επιχειρησιακής Συνέχειας και της Διαχείρισης Εκτάκτων Καταστάσεων και δημιουργία ενός πλαισίου διαχείρισης εκτάκτων καταστάσεων με στόχο τη δημιουργία θεωρήσεων για περαιτέρω έρευνα και ανάπτυξη του "Ξενοκράτη".Considerations about the interaction of Risk Management, Business Continuity and Emergency Management and creation of a proposed framework for addressing emergency situations resulting in considerations for further investigation and development of "Ksenokratis".Βασίλειος Δ. Καραγιάννη

Arthroscopic Removal of Tenosynovial Giant-Cell Tumors of the Cruciate Ligaments. Presentation of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND: Tenosynovial giant-cell tumor (GCT) arising from cruciate ligaments consists a rather rare entity. Predominantly areas where this tumor appears are the palmar sides of fingers and toes. The involvement of larger joints such as the knee or the ankle is rather rare, but, in the case of synovial joints, the knee joint is particularly affected. Furthermore, rare seems to be the intra-articular localization of the tenosynovial GCT of the tendon sheath. Hereby, we present an arthroscopic approach of treatment with two cases. CASE REPORTS: The first case was a 32-year-old male with a GCT arising from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The second case was a 26-year-old male with a GCT arising from the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). In the first case, a round-shaped mass with a reddish-brown color was located just anterior to the ACL and impeded the full extension of the knee joint, while, in the second case, a well-circumscribed oval-shaped mass was found with a peduncle attached to the synovium of the PCL. After arthroscopic excision, both patients became asymptomatic, with complete lack of pain and full ROM. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of clinical features for the GCT of the knee, and thus, a thorough clinical examination is prudent. Usually, the diagnosis is set after an investigation based on suspicion. This entity can present with symptoms of instability and patients may present signs of mechanical derangement. With the knee joint, meniscal symptoms and locking are often present. The best non-invasive technique to diagnose this tumor has been reported to be the magnetic resonance imaging. Arthroscopic excision has been reported as a safe and effective procedure for treatment