278 research outputs found
Exploiting Satellite Broadcast Despite HTTPS
No full textHTTPS enhances end-user privacy and is often preferred or enforced by over-the-top content providers, but renders inoperable all intermediate network functions operating above the transport layer, including caching, content/protocol optimization, and security filtering tools. These functions are crucial for the optimization of integrated satellite-terrestrial networks. Additionally, due to the use of end-to-end and per- session encryption keys, the advantages of a satellite's wide- area broadcasting capabilities are limited or even negated completely. This paper investigates two solutions for authorized TLS interception that involve TLS splitting. We present how these solutions can be incorporated into integrated satellite- terrestrial networks and we discuss their trade-offs in terms of deployment, performance, and privacy. Furthermore, we design a solution that leverages satellite broadcast transmission even in the presence of TLS (i.e. with the use of HTTPS) by exploiting application layer encryption in the path between the satellite terminal and the TLS server. Our findings indicate that even if no other operation than TLS splitting is performed, TLS handshake time, which involves roundtrips through possibly a Geosynchronous satellite, can be reduced by up to 94%. Moreover, by combining an application layer encryption solution with TLS splitting, broadcast transmissions can be exploited as well as proactive caching, content pushing, request aggregation, and other optimizations
Effect of Genetic Variants of Gonadotropins and Their Receptors on Ovarian Stimulation Outcomes: A Delphi Consensus
No full textBackground: A Delphi consensus was conducted to evaluate the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding gonadotropin and gonadotropin receptors on clinical ovarian stimulation outcomes following assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Methods: Nine experts plus two Scientific Coordinators discussed and amended statements plus supporting references proposed by the Scientific Coordinators. The statements were distributed via an online survey to 36 experts, who voted on their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement. Consensus was reached if the proportion of participants agreeing or disagreeing with a statement was >66%. Results: Eleven statements were developed, of which two statements were merged. Overall, eight statements achieved consensus and two statements did not achieve consensus. The statements reaching consensus are summarized here. (1) SNP in the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), rs6166 (c.2039A>G, p.Asn680Ser) (N=5 statements): Ser/Ser carriers have higher basal FSH levels than Asn/Asn carriers. Ser/Ser carriers require higher amounts of gonadotropin during ovarian stimulation than Asn/Asn carriers. Ser/Ser carriers produce fewer oocytes during ovarian stimulation than Asn/Asn or Asn/Ser carriers. There is mixed evidence supporting an association between this variant and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. (2) SNP of FSHR, rs6165 (c.919G>A, p.Thr307Ala) (N=1 statement): Few studies suggest Thr/Thr carriers require a shorter duration of gonadotropin stimulation than Thr/Ala or Ala/Ala carriers. (3) SNP of FSHR, rs1394205 (−29G>A) (N=1 statement): Limited data in specific ethnic groups suggest that A/A allele carriers may require higher amounts of gonadotropin during ovarian stimulation and produce fewer oocytes than G/G carriers. (4) SNP of FSH β-chain (FSHB), rs10835638 (−211G>T) (N=1 statement): There is contradictory evidence supporting an association between this variant and basal FSH levels or oocyte number. (5) SNPs of luteinizing hormone β-chain (LHB) and LH/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) genes (N=1 statement): these may influence ovarian stimulation outcomes and could represent potential future targets for pharmacogenomic research in ART, although data are still very limited. Conclusions: This Delphi consensus provides clinical perspectives from a diverse international group of experts. The consensus supports a link between some variants in gonadotropin/gonadotropin receptor genes and ovarian stimulation outcomes; however, further research is needed to clarify these findings
The performance of the Elecsys® anti-Müllerian hormone assay in predicting extremes of ovarian response to corifollitropin alfa
No full textResearch question: What is the performance of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as measured by the Elecsys® AMH assay in predicting ovarian response in women treated with 150 μg corifollitropin alfa (CFA)? Design: Multicentre, prospective study conducted between December 2015 and April 2018. Women were aged 18–43 years, had regular menstrual bleeding, a body mass index of 17–35 kg/m2 and weighed 60 kg or over. Exclusion criteria: previous oophorectomy, history of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a previous IVF and intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle producing over 30 follicles measuring 11 mm or wider, basal antral follicle count (AFC) over 20 or polycystic ovarian syndrome. All women were treated with 150 μg CFA followed by recombinant FSH (150–300 IU/day) in a fixed gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist protocol. Results: Of the 219 patients enrolled, 22.8% had low ovarian response (three or fewer oocytes), 66.2% had normal response and 11% had high ovarian response (15 or more oocytes). The AMH and AFC presented an area under the curve of 0.883 (95% CI 0.830 to 0.936) and 0.879 (95% CI 0.826 to 0.930), respectively, for low ovarian response; and an AUC of 0.865 (95% CI 0.793 to 0.935) and 0.822 (95% CI 0.734 to 0.909) for high ovarian response. An AMH cut-off of 1.0 ng/ml provided a sensitivity of 92.0% and a specificity of 66.9% in the prediction of low ovarian response; a cut-off of 2.25 ng/ml predicted high ovarian response with a sensitivity of 54.2% and a specificity of 91.8%. Conclusions: The automated Elecsys® AMH assay predicts ovarian response in a CFA antagonist protocol. The best predictors of ovarian response in CFA-treated patients were AMH and AFC
Exploiting Caching, Proxy Re-encryption, Incentives, and Wi–Fi Direct for Authorized Content Distribution
No full textAbstractUbiquitous access to the Internet is becoming critical. Direct cellular network connectivity of mobile devices is not always possible or desirable, for various reasons. We design and discuss a scheme that can be used to distribute authorized content to devices through Wi-Fi Direct and discuss how to provide incentives to the devices connected to the Internet to securely relay traffic, taking into consideration their available energy and bandwidth
Metabolism, Clinical and Experimental: seventy years young and growing
No full text“Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental”, initially published by Grune
& Stratton Inc. (New York) in 1952 [1] and acquired by Elsevier in 2002,
celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2022. Dr. Samuel Soskin, the founding
Editor-in-Chief, was succeeded by Dr. Garfield G. Duncan in 1958 [2],
then by Dr. James B. Fields in 1970 [3], who served for over 40 years
[4], and then by Dr. Christos S. Mantzoros in 2010 as current Editor-inChief [5]. The Editorial Board of “Metabolism” (www.journals.elsevier.
com/metabolism/editorial-board) currently consists of 10 Associate
Editors and 72 Editorial Board Members, men and women, younger and
more experienced, from 20 countries around the world.S
Combined vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy for preeclampsia prevention: a systematic review
No full textThe effect of combined vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy on the prevention of preeclampsia and major adverse infant outcomes has been reviewed. We searched MEDLINE and the Central Library of Controlled Trials of the Cochrane Library through August 2006 for relevant clinical trials. Interstudy heterogeneity was evaluated using the chi(2) statistic (Q statistic) test. Pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a fixed or random-effects model as appropriate. Four trials that collectively randomized 4680 pregnant women to either the combination of vitamin C and vitamin E or placebo were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences between the vitamin and placebo groups in the risk of preeclampsia, 11% versus 11.4%, RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.82-1.13), fetal or neonatal loss, 2.6% versus 2.3%, RR 1.10 (95% CI 0.78-1.57), or small for gestational age (SGA) infant, 20.6% versus 20%, RR 0.94 (95% CI 0.74-1.19). Although there was a higher risk for preterm birth in the vitamin group, 19.5% versus 18%, RR 1.07 (95% CI 0.96-1.20), this finding was not significant. Combined vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy does not reduce the risk of preeclampsia, fetal or neonatal loss, small for gestational age infant, or preterm birth. Such supplementation should be discouraged unless solid supporting data from randomized trials become available. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that many methods have been used to prevent preeclampsia, state that increased oxidative stress has been postulated and many trials have used antioxidants to prevent the disease, and explain that MEDLINE analysis of the literature questions the use of vitamin C and E supplements
Velocity dispersion of guided waves propagating in a free gradient elastic plate: Application to cortical bone
No full textThe classical linear theory of elasticity has been largely used for the ultrasonic characterization of bone. However, linear elasticity cannot adequately describe the mechanical behavior of materials with microstructure in which the stress state has to be defined in a non-local manner. In this study, the simplest form of gradient theory (Mindlin Form-II) is used to theoretically determine the velocity dispersion curves of guided modes propagating in isotropic bone-mimicking plates. Two additional terms are included in the constitutive equations representing the characteristic length in bone: (a) the gradient coefficient g, introduced in the strain energy, and (b) the micro-inertia term h, in the kinetic energy. The plate was assumed free of stresses and of double stresses. Two cases were studied for the characteristic length: h = 10(-4) m and h = 10(-5) m. For each case, three subcases for g were assumed, namely, g > h, g > h, and g=h. The values of g and h were of the order of the osteons size. The velocity dispersion curves of guided waves were numerically obtained and compared with the Lamb modes. The results indicate that when g was not equal to h (i.e., g not equal h), microstructure affects mode dispersion by inducing both material and geometrical dispersion. In conclusion, gradient elasticity can provide supplementary information to better understand guided waves in bones. (c) 2009 Acoustical Society of America. [DOI: 10.1121/1.3110203]Journal of the Acoustical Society of Americ
Self-Organizing Networks for 5G and Beyond: A View from the Top
No full textWe describe self-organizing network (SON) concepts and architectures and their potential to play a central role in 5G deployment and next-generation networks. Our focus is on the basic SON use case applied to radio access networks (RAN), which is self-optimization. We analyze SON applications’ rationale and operation, the design and dimensioning of SON systems, possible deficiencies and conflicts that occur through the parallel operation of functions, and describe the strong reliance on machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI). Moreover, we present and comment on very recent proposals for SON deployment in 5G networks. Typical examples include the binding of SON systems with techniques such as Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Cloud RAN (C-RAN), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), massive Machine-Type Communication (mMTC) for IoT, and automated backhauling, which lead the way towards the adoption of SON techniques in Beyond 5G (B5G) networks
Survey And New Approach In Service Discovery And Advertisement For Mobile Ad Hoc Networks.
No full textService advertisement and discovery is an important component for mobile adhoc communications and collaboration in ubiquitous computing environments. The ability to discover services offered in a mobile adhoc network is the major prerequisite for effective usability of these networks. This paper aims to classify and compare existing Service Discovery (SD) protocols for MANETs by grouping them based on their SD strategies and service information accumulation strategies, and to propose an efficient approach for addressing the inherent issues
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