Secure kNN Query Processing in Untrusted Cloud Environments: an Overview

ABSTRACT: Nowadays, data are stored to a third party in cloud environments and query processing is also done by the third party to reduce the expense to maintain the system. Although there are lots of advantages in using independent third parties in query processing, security problems become more crucial since we cannot completely trust the third parties which can be easily corrupted or malfunctioning. The security problems with untrusted third parties are multifaceted in several areas such as privacy, authentication, and recovery. For privacy, the third party should not be able to know what the user's query is since the query itself describes the user's interest. For authentication, the user should be able to verify that the information from the third party is not tampered since the correctness of the query results depends upon the correctness of the information from the third party. For recovery, when the result is found to be forged by an adversary, we should be able to find the adversary and get a correct result by removing the adversary. To address these challenges, we propose several schemes. First, with respect to secure kNN query processing and secure proximity detection, we give novel schemes based on Mutable Order Preserving Encryption (MOPE) and Secure Point Evaluation Method (SPEM). Second, for authenticated top-k aggregation, we suggest novel schemes using Three Phase Uniform Threshold Algorithm, Merkle Hash Tree, and Condensed-RSA. Third, for detecting malicious nodes, we propose novel algorithms based on Additively Homomorphic Encryption and Multipath Transmission. Our experimental evaluation and security analyses demonstrate that robust mechanisms can be deployed with a minimal amount of computational and communicational expense

Utilization of decorticated cottonseed meal with or without protease in diets of broiler chicken

The present study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of decorticated cottonseed meal (DCSM, non- detectable free-gossypol) with or without supplemental protease on the basis of growth performance, nutrient utilization and feed-cost of production in broiler chicken. Accordingly, a six weeks (0 to 6 weeks of age of broiler chickens) feeding trial was conducted following 5 × 2 factorial design involving five dietary levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of DCSM, with (0.035%) or without protease in a standard broiler chicken diet. Day-old chicks (320) were divided into 40 groups of eight birds each (replicate) and each dietary treatment was offered to four replicated groups. There was no significant difference in body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, protein and energy utilization efficiency due to levels of decorticated cottonseed meals in diets replacing soybean meal of control diet and protease supplementation. Nitrogen retention was not influenced either by cottonseed meal or by protease in diet. There was no adverse effect on cellular as well as humoral immunity on addition of cottonseed meal in diet. Addition of protease in diet did not improve the above mentioned performance parameters. Feed-cost of production decreased significantly and linearly on addition of cottonseed meal at graded levels. The present study revealed that incorporation of DCSM up to 20% level in diet, either with or without enzyme supplementation, did not affect growth performance of broiler chicken during 0–6 weeks of age. Therefore, decorticated cottonseed meal can safely and effectively be included up to 20% level without enzyme supplementation in maize-soybean based diets of broiler chickens replacing soybean meal for profitable broiler production

Primary extra-cranial meningioma in the right submandibular region of an 18-year-old woman: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Extra-cranial meningioma or ectopic meningioma is a rare tumor. This tumor has been reported in various anatomic sites in the head and neck, mediastinum, skin and soft tissues. We report a rare case of ectopic meningioma in the submandibular region detected by using fine-needle aspiration cytology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This case represents another unusual site for extra-cranial meningioma, which prompted us to report it.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>An 18-year-old Dravidian woman presented with swelling in the right submandibular region. The computed tomographic scan findings were suggestive of a neoplastic mass lesion in the right submandibular region. Fine-needle aspiration cytology led to the differential diagnosis of a monomorphic adenoma of a salivary gland or an ectopic meningioma. The patient underwent excision of the submandibular gland and tumor. The histological examination and immunohistochemistry studies confirmed that the lesion was an extra-cranial meningioma. At her two-year follow-up examination, there was no recurrence of the tumor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our experience with this case indicates that, although rare, meningioma should be entertained in the differential diagnosis of a mass lesion in the head and neck region.</p

Investigation of growth mechanism for highly oriented TiO2 nanorods: the role of reaction time and annealing temperature

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a versatile and inexpensive material for extended applicability in several scientific and technological fields including photo-catalysis for industrial waste treatment, energy harvesting, and hydrogen production. In this work, we report the synthesis of TiO2 thin film using hydrothermal method and investigations on the influence of reaction time and annealing temperature on growth mechanism of the TiO2 nanorods. The synthesized TiO2 films were studied by using UV–visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The XRD and Raman measurements revealed the formation of defect free and pure tetragonal TiO2 rutile phase. The TiO2 thin films show absorption band edge at around 420 nm in the UV–visible spectrum and exhibit direct band gap value of 2.9 eV. The TiO2 nanorods are demonstrated to grow randomly on the FTO substrate with changing reaction times but grow uniformly in a flower-like pattern with increasing annealing temperature. Investigation of the field emission properties of TiO2 thin films (tested as field-emitter array) estimates the turn-on and threshold field at 4.06 and 7.06 V/µm at 10 and 100 µA/cm2, respectively

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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Source identification of a tar residue from Mumbai beach

379-380A tar residue from Mumbai beach was matched with the suspected source sample from a tanker using UV, IR and GLC techniques. Negligible differences in several ratios of UV absorbances and ratios of infrared transmittances of the samples as well as their superimposable GLC fingerprint patterns indicated that the beach tar might have originated from the tanker

Flushing characteristics and pollution assessment of Purna River Estuary

94-98Tide dominated coastal plain Purna River Estuary was studied to evaluate its flushing characteristics and pollution status. The shallow estuary was generally well-mixed vertically with excellent flushing due to high seawater influx and strong tidal currents. The flushing time of pH and trace metal concentrations in water did not seem to have been grossly affected by the present wastewater inputs. Some influence was however observed on the dissolved oxygen content and BOD specially in the inner estuary