The use of autonomous and unmanned systems continues to increase, with uses spanning from package delivery to simple automation of tasks and from factory usage to defense industries and agricultural ...applications. With the proliferation of unmanned systems comes the question of how to secure the command-and-control communication links among such devices and their operators. In this work, we look at the use of the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol, designed to support long-lived continuous sessions and group communication with a high degree of security. We build out MAUI—an MLS API for UxS Integration that provides an interface for the secure exchange of data between a ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in a multi-domain ad-hoc network configuration, and experiment on system limits such as the ciphersuite set-up time and message handling rates. The experiments in this work were conducted in virtual and physical environments between the UAV, USV, and a controller device (all of different platforms). Our results demonstrate the viability of capitalizing on MLS’s capabilities to securely and efficiently transmit data for distributed communication among various unmanned system platforms.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) aid in prolonging life in patients with advanced locoregional thyroid malignancy. Such patients may undergo total laryngectomy for local disease control and ...tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) for speech rehabilitation. Enlargement of TEP fistulas is usually attributed to wound healing issues and leads to major complications. Four laryngectomies with TEP were performed between 2015 and 2016 and subsequently placed on a TKI. Three patients developed a complication after TKI treatment, and 2 patients had a tracheoesophageal fistula. Patients should be counseled about possible wound healing risks associated with TKIs.
ABSTRACT
This paper analyses X-ray observations by the Chandra X-ray Observatory of CXOGBS J174614.3−321949 (CXB3) and CXOGBS J173620.2−293338 (CX332), two symbiotic binary star candidates identified ...by the Galactic Bulge Survey. Using new Chandra observations, we improved their X-ray positional uncertainties to 0.24 and 0.92 arcsec, respectively, confidently associating them with single optical counterparts. In particular, new observations of symbiotic X-ray candidate CX332 further solidify confidence in its coincidence with a carbon star. We demonstrate X-ray variability in both targets with a more recent observation of CX332 showing a decrease in brightness by a factor of 30, while CXB3 observations show it usually in a quiescent state with a factor-of-6 flare-like event in the final observations. In a combined spectral fit for CXB3, we find an NH value of $\sim (2\!-\! 3) \times 10^{22}\, \rm {cm}^{-2}$ with a Γ value of $1.5^{+0.2}_{-0.2}$ for a power-law fit and kT$10.6_{-2.9}^{+5.7}$ keV for an apec fit and an estimated luminosity of ∼8.4 × 1032 erg s−1. Spectra of CXB3 would be consistent with thermal emission as seen in white dwarf symbiotic systems, but the high X-ray luminosity in the light curve is more typically seen in symbiotic X-ray binary systems. Optical spectra of both objects taken with Gemini GMOS indicate CXB3 as containing an M-type star and CX332 having a carbon star counterpart. Both targets show at most marginal evidence of H α emission favouring a symbiotic X-ray binary interpretation for both sources, though we cannot rule out a white dwarf for either case.
We provide the Chandra source list for the last ~quarter of the area covered by the Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS). The GBS targets two strips of 6degrees x 1degrees (12 square degrees in total), one ...above (1degrees < b < 2degrees) and one below (-2degrees < b < -1degrees) the Galactic plane in the direction of the Galactic center at X-ray, optical, and near-infrared wavelengths. For the X-ray part of the survey we use 2 ks per Chandra pointing. We find 424 X-ray sources in the 63 Chandra observations on which we report here. These sources are in addition to the 1216 X-ray sources discovered in the first part of the GBS survey described previously. We discuss the characteristics and the X-ray variability of the brightest of the sources as well as the radio properties from existing radio surveys. We point out an interesting asymmetry in the number of X-ray sources as a function of their Galactic l and b coordinates which is probably caused by differences in average extinction toward the different parts of the GBS survey area.
Introduction:
Understanding of swallowing pressures after total laryngectomy (TL) and what constitutes a “functional” swallow are limited. Mobile structures are altered or removed after TL, with ...consequent effects on pressure profiles. High-resolution manometry (HRM) can characterize these pressures.
Methods:
Six TL subjects without dysphagia and 6 controls underwent pharyngeal HRM. Timing and pressure variables for the velopharynx, mesopharynx, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) were compared. Changes in variables due to bolus volume were evaluated in TL subjects.
Results:
The TL subjects had increased duration of velopharyngeal pressure (P = .012). Maximum mesopharyngeal pressure was lower versus controls (P = .003). Maximal and total pre-opening (P = .002, P = .002) and post-closure (P = .001, P = .002) UES pressures were lower. Maximum mesopharyngeal pressure (P = .032) decreased with increasing bolus volume.
Conclusions:
Increased velopharyngeal pressure duration and total swallow duration reflect separation of the pharynx into distinct conduits for air and food, thus ensuring successful bolus passage without the need for respiration. Decreased UES pressure highlights the effects of disrupting the cricopharyngeal and rostral esophageal muscle fibers from their attachments to the larynx and performing a cricopharyngeal myotomy. Additional studies including subjects with dysphagia could further characterize the functional TL swallow and identify aspects susceptible to dysfunction.
Abstract Background Metastatic cervical carcinoma of unknown primary (MCCUP) is increasing in frequency, in part due to rising human papillomavirus (HPV) driven oropharyngeal carcinoma. Identifying ...the primary site is valuable, as it is associated with increased survival and decreased morbidity. HPV-positive cervical nodal disease focuses attention on the oropharynx for directed biopsies, including tonsillectomy. When the primary is small, carcinoma may not be apparent on traditional hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining alone. Methods We present two cases of p16-positive MCCUP where a small primary carcinoma was not readily identified in surgical specimens using H&E staining. Results Additional evaluation of the specimens with p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed carcinoma in both cases. Conclusions When H&E staining does not reveal carcinoma in cases of MCCUP, p16 IHC should be considered given the high prevalence of HPV-positive MCCUP and the potential for identification of a small primary which might otherwise be missed with H&E staining.
PDF
