Diameter Protocol Research Articles

The relationship between the secondary implant stability quotient and oxidized implant-related factors: A retrospective study

ObjectiveThe present retrospective study aimed to determine the relationship between the secondary implant stability quotient and different parameters related to an oxidized implant. MethodsA total of 135 patients (305 oxidized implants) were included. Implant-related factors (length, diameter, surgical and loading protocols, grafting, insertion torque, and primary stability) were used for comparisons and linear regression analyses, using secondary ISQ as the dependent variable. ResultsAt the patient level, the mean time from implantation to secondary ISQ registration was 20.3 ± 29 weeks, and the mean secondary ISQ was 77.30 ± 7.22. The ISQ did not reveal significant differences regarding implant lengths, loading protocol, and simultaneous grafting. In contrast, platform diameters (3.5, 4.3, and 5.0), surgical protocols (one stage versus two stages), insertion torque (<35 Ncm versus >35 Ncm), and primary stability (achieved versus not achieved) all revealed significant secondary ISQ differences. Nevertheless, the regression analysis demonstrated that the platform diameter was the only variable significantly and positively predicted the secondary ISQ. Similar findings were found with the implant level analysis. ConclusionsAmong different implant- and protocol-related parameters, the platform diameter of the oxidized implant appears to be the only significant predictor of high secondary ISQ values at the time of superstructure connection.

Effect of test configurations and loading protocols on performance of timber-concrete connectors

To examine the effect of test configurations and loading protocols on the performance of timber-concrete composite (TCC) shear connectors, a total of twenty-seven TCC shear connections with glued – in threaded steel rod (GIR) were designed to experience push-out tests. The experimental variables include rod diameter, test configurations (single - and double - shear), and loading protocols including the loading protocol (EN26891) and the displacement rate (0.5 mm/min, 2 mm/min, and 4 mm/min). The results indicate that both the test configurations and the displacement rates showed different influences on the performance of the shear connections. Most of the tested TCC shear connections with GIR mainly failed by the double – hinge yield mode of GIR. Double – shear specimens with 16 mm – diameter GIR exhibited a 49 % higher maximum load compared to the single – shear specimens. The slip modulus of the specimens tested at a displacement rate of 4 mm/min was about 40 % lower than that of the specimens tested at the displacement rates of 0.5 mm/min and 2 mm/min, respectively. Among the single-shear specimens, the 16 mm– diameter GIR showed the lowest ductility, by 65 % and 59 %, as compared to the 10 mm – and 12 mm – diameter specimens. Finally, theoretical analytical formulas were proposed to predict the load carrying capacity and the slip modulus of the TCC shear connections with GIR. The experimental slip modulus was also compared with the results obtained by existing calculation models.

Comparison of National Comprehensive Cancer Network and European Position Statement protocols for nodule management in low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening in a general Chinese population.

BackgroundLow-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening often refers individuals to unnecessary examinations. This study aims to compare the European Position Statement (EUPS) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) protocols in management of participants at baseline screening round.MethodsLDCT lung cancer screening was prospectively performed in a Chinese asymptomatic population aged 40–74 years. A total of 1,000 consecutive baseline LDCT scans were read twice independently. All screen-detected lung nodules by the first reader were included. The first reader manually measured the diameter of lung nodules (NCCN protocol), and the second reader semi-automatically measured the volume and diameter (EUPS volume and diameter protocols). The protocols were used to classify the participants into three management groups: next screening round, short-term repeat LDCT scan and referral to a pulmonologist. Groups were compared using Wilcoxon test for paired samples. Number of lung cancers by protocols was provided.ResultsOf the 1,000 participants (61.4±6.7 years old), 168 lung nodules in 124 participants were visually detected and manually measured in the first reading, and re-measured semi-automatically. Applying the NCCN protocol, EUPS volume and diameter protocol, the proportion of referrals among all participants was 0.6%, 1.9%, and 1.4%, respectively. The proportion of short-term repeat scans was 4.5%, 9.7% and 4.5%, respectively. Among the 10 lung cancer patients, one would have been diagnosed earlier if the EUPS volume protocol would have been followed.ConclusionsIn a first round screening in a Chinese general population, the lower threshold for referral in the EUPS protocol as compared to the NCCN protocol, leads to more referrals to a pulmonologist, with the potential of earlier cancer diagnosis. The EUPS volume protocol recommends fewer participants to short-term repeat LDCT scan than the EUPS diameter protocol. Follow-up studies should show the impact of both protocols on (interval) cancer diagnosis.

Evaluation of Insertion Energy as Novel Parameter for Dental Implant Stability.

Insertion energy has been advocated as a novel measure for primary implant stability, but the effect of implant length, diameter, or surgical protocol remains unclear. Twenty implants from one specific bone level implant system were placed in layered polyurethane foam measuring maximum insertion torque, torque–time curves, and primary stability using resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Insertion energy was calculated as area under torque–time curve applying the trapezoidal formula. Statistical analysis was based on analysis of variance, Tukey honest differences tests and Pearson’s product moment correlation tests (α = 0.05). Implant stability (p = 0.01) and insertion energy (p < 0.01) differed significantly among groups, while maximum insertion torque did not (p = 0.17). Short implants showed a significant decrease in implant stability (p = 0.01), while reducing implant diameter did not cause any significant effect. Applying the drilling protocol for dense bone resulted in significantly increased insertion energy (p = 0.02) but a significant decrease in implant stability (p = 0.04). Insertion energy was not found to be a more reliable parameter for evaluating primary implant stability when compared to maximum insertion torque and resonance frequency analysis.

Primary stability of self-tapping dual etched implants.

The aims of this study were to enumerate the primary implant stability quotient (ISQ) value of self-tapping dual etched implants and to explore the influence of parameters such as implant length, implant diameter, age, gender, implant location and osteotomy preparation on the ISQ value. Retrospective data from clinical worksheets given to participants during two implant courses held between the periods of 2013 to 2014 were evaluated. A total of 61 implants were considered based on the inclusion criteria. The effects of parameters such as implant diameter, implant length, age, gender, implant location and osteotomy protocol on ISQ values were analyzed. Mean ISQ value for all implants was 67.21±9.13. Age of patients (P=0.016) and location of implants (P=0.041) had a significant linear relationship with the ISQ values. Within the age limit of the patients in this study, it was found that an increase in one year of patient's age results in 0.20 decrease in ISQ value (95% CI: -0.36, -0.04). However, placing an implant in the posterior maxilla may negatively affect the ISQ with a likely decrease in primary stability by 6.76 ISQ value (95% CI: -13.22, -0.30). The results suggest that the mean ISQ achieved by the participants were comparable with the range reported for this particular type of implants. The patient's age and location of implants were elucidated as the determinant factors of primary implant stability.

Role of Diameter Based Protocol in enhancing of new and Upcoming Technologies

The Diameter protocol as an AAA protocol is designed as an improved Version as well as substitute of RADIUS Protocol. Diameter Protocol adds up more capability for the advancement of Security architecture for Distributed Network System in order to track which services and resources used. Authorization and Accounting in cloud based environment as well as its applications have significant role because of support of huge seamless enterprise coverage with globalized communities of subscribers. In this paper, the authors have taken an overview on how recent and advanced features are evolving with the application of Diameter based protocol in New and Upcoming Technologies.

Assessment of protocols in cone-beam CT with symmetric and asymmetric beams usingeffective dose and air kerma-area product

This study aims to evaluate and compare protocols with similar purposes in a cone beam CT scanner using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) and the air kerma-area product (PKA) as the kerma index. The measurements were performed on two protocols used to obtain an image of the maxilla–mandible using the equipment GENDEX GXCB 500: Protocol [GX1] extended diameter and asymmetric beam (14cm×8.5cm-maxilla/mandible) and protocol [GX2] symmetrical beam (8.5cm×8.5cm-maxillary/mandible). LiF dosimeters inserted into a female anthropomorphic phantom were used. For both protocols, the value of PKA was evaluated using a PTW Diamentor E2 meter and the multimeter Radcal Rapidose system. The results obtained for the effective dose/PKA were separated by protocol image. [GX1]: 44.5µSv/478mGycm2; [GX2]: 54.8µSv/507mGycm2. Although the ratio of the diameters (14cm/8.5cm)=1.65, the ratio of effective dose values (44.5µSv/54.8µSv)=0.81, that is, the effective dose of the protocol with extended diameter is 19% smaller. The PKA values reveal very similar results between the two protocols. For the cases where the scanner uses an asymmetric beam to obtain images with large diameters that cover the entire face, there are advantages from the point of view of reducing the exposure of patients when compared to the use of symmetrical beam and/or to FOV images with a smaller diameter.

Research and Implementation on Synthetic Scheme of S6a Interface in the LTE Network Monitoring System

In view of the poor portability, low efficiency of this interface existing monitoring scheme, the paper studies the protocol specification, signaling processes related S6a interface in the LTE (Long Term Evolution, Long Term Evolution) network, etc., then brings forth a synthetic scheme related with the Diameter protocol association. After passing through the current network data test, a relatively accurate method to reproduce S6a interface signaling processes, the scheme verifies the correctness and feasibility of the program, and provides a reliable guarantee basis for monitoring the interface.

Research on Decoding Scheme of S6a Interface Diameter Protocol in LTE Network Monitoring System

In view of the existing decoding scheme of poor portability and low efficiency, the article analyzes the basic concepts, functions and message structure of the Diameter protocol in LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, then puts forward innovative decoding solutions by using dictionary method to resolve Diameter protocol. After testing by the current network data, the scheme has been verified to be correct and feasible, and effectively solves the decoding issue of Diameter protocol different message types in the LTE network.

Is mesenteric panniculitis truely a paraneoplastic phenomenon? A matched pair analysis

PurposeMesenteric panniculitis (MP) is an underdiagnosed inflammatory condition of mesenteric adipose tissue. Prior studies suggested an association of MP with malignancy. To reassess this hypothesis, we performed the first matched case–control study comparing prevalence of malignancy and other disease in patients with and without MP. Material and methodsWith a keyword search we identified CT examinations of MP patients between 2010 and 2012. Each MP patient was matched with two control patients for age, gender, abdominal diameter and CT protocol. Manifestation and extent of mesenteric panniculitis was classified independently by two investigators according to established criteria. Concomitant disease, laboratory parameters and follow up CTs were recorded and analyzed for all patients. Results77 of 13485 CT patients were diagnosed with MP (prevalence 0.58%). 50.6% of MP patients suffered from malignancy vs. 60.2% in the control group (p=0.157). Over up to 4 years of follow up in 35 of these 77 MP patients no association between development of MP and the course of tumor diseases could be identified. There was also no significant difference in the rate of frequent concomitant diseases such as hypertension, diabetes or previous surgery between the two groups. ConclusionIn this first case–control-study we could show that, contrary to previous reports, mesenteric panniculitis is neither paraneoplastic nor is it associated with other diseases.

Analysis of the radius and diameter protocols in terms of pricing telecommunication services

Accounting of telecommunication services is closely related to the functions of authentication and authorization. These functions are usually considered together and implemented within the same server using a common protocol. The most renowned protocols for authentication, authorization and accounting are the RADIUS and Diameter protocols. AAA functions and related protocols. In this chapter, the accounting management architecture developed by IETF is presented. It includes the interaction between network elements, accounting servers and billing and charging servers. Accounting data can be used for management, planning and charging users as well as other (specific) purposes. Authentication is the process of confirming a user's digital identity, usually through some type of identifiers and related data. Authorization determines whether a particular entity is authorized to perform an activity. Basic Functions of the RADIUS Protocol. The RADIUS architecture is based on a client-server model. It uses UDP on the transport layer. Transactions between the client and the server are authenticated, which is achieved by using a common secret key that is never sent through the network. Given the limited resources available to network devices, RADIUS facilitates and centralizes charging end users, provides some protection against active attacks by unauthorized users and it has great support from different network equipment vendors. Although RADIUS is a widely accepted protocol for the mechanisms of authentication, authorization and accounting, it has certain shortcomings that may be caused by the protocol itself or by its poor implementation. Architecture and Operation of the Diameter Protocol Diameter is a scalable protocol designed by the IETF working group in order to eliminate shortcomings and functional limitations of the RADIUS protocol and eventually to replace it in the near future.

A Multi-Domain Access Control Infrastructure Based on Diameter and EAP

The evolution of Internet, the growth of Internet users and the new enabled technological capabilities place new requirements to form the Future Internet. Many features improvements and challenges were imposed to build a better Internet, including securing roaming of data and services over multiple administrative domains. In this research, we propose a multi-domain access control infrastructure to authenticate and authorize roaming users through the use of the Diameter protocol and EAP. The Diameter Protocol is a AAA protocol that solves the problems of previous AAA protocols such as RADIUS. The Diameter EAP Application is one of Diameter applications that extends the Diameter Base Protocol to support authentication using EAP. The contributions in this paper are: 1) first implementation of Diameter EAP Application, called DiamEAP, capable of practical authentication and authorization services in a multi-domain environment, 2) extensibility design capable of adding any new EAP methods, as loadable plugins, without modifying the main part, and 3) provision of EAP-TLS plugin as one of the most secure EAP methods. DiamEAP Server basic performances were evaluated and tested in a real multi-domain environment where 200 users attempted to access network using the EAP-TLS method during an event of 4 days. As evaluation results, the processing time of DiamEAP using the EAP-TLS plugin for authentication of 10 requests is about 20ms while that for 400 requests/second is about 1.9 second. Evaluation and operation results show that DiamEAP is scalable and stable with the ability to handle more than 6 hundreds of authentication requests per second without any crashes. DiamEAP is supported by the AAA working group of the WIDE Project.

Implementation of Decoders for LTE Interface Messages

Long-term evolution is the next-generation network beyond 3G. In order to initiatively imitate and improve network performance, by research and analysis of signaling message which is transmitted in the LTE network architecture, a decoder module is needed. In this paper, the decoding modules for decoding S3, S4, S5/S8, S10 and S11 interfaces, which use GTPv2 protocol to transmit the messages between the various entities such as SGSN -- MME, SGSN - SGW, SGW - PGW, MME -- MME, MME - SGW and MME -- EIR, respectively are explained. Further, in LTE architecture, there is another interface S1MME which uses S1AP protocol between the eNB and MME entities, in similar way interfaces S13 (MME to EIR), S6a (MME to HSS), Gx (PCRF to PCEF), and SGi (between PGW & PDN) which uses diameter protocol, need to be decoded. Hence, to incorporate the decoding of message fields of above said interfaces in the proposed system, the existing Alcatel-Lucent framework LTEPA is enhanced as the project work.

A one-foetus pregnancy monitored by ultrasonography and progesterone blood levels in a German Shepherd bitch: a case report

This case study describes the pregnancy of a German Shepherd bitch with a singleton (one puppy) litter as a result of early embryo resorption. Resorption was confirmed by ultrasonography and the pregnancy was regularly monitored by USG and measurements of progesterone levels until parturition. These levels stayed within the physiological range. One healthy puppy was delivered within the timeframe of a physiological pregnancy although the inner chorionic cavity diameter (ICCD) protocol used for predicting the time of parturition showed divergence from the real time of whelping.

Third party application control on quality of service in IP based multimedia networks

The paper investigates the capabilities for open access to resource management in convergent networks. Based on the analysis of policy and charging control functions in Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), requirements for third party application control on quality of service (QoS) are identified. The functionality of Open Service Access (OSA) and Parlay X interfaces is evaluated for support of dynamic QoS control. An approach to design of OSA compliant application programming interfaces to QoS management in IMS networks is presented. The interface methods are mapped onto the messages of network control protocols such as Diameter and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The application view of authorized QoS resources for SIP session is modeled. Implementation issues concerning behavioral equivalence of the authorized QoS resources model and SIP session state model are discussed.

Open Access to Control on Quality of Service in Convergent Networks

This paper investigates the capabilities for open access to quality of service management in convergent networks. Based on the analysis of requirements for policy and charging control in Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), functions for quality of service (QoS) management and charging that are available for third party applications are identified. The functionality of Open Service Access (OSA) and Parlay X interfaces is evaluated for support of dynamic QoS control, while an approach to development of OSA compliant application programming interfaces for QoS management in IMS networks is presented. The interface’s methods are mapped onto the messages of network control protocols such as Diameter and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Finally, aspects of interface implementation are discussed including behavior equivalence of state machines.

A generic accounting scheme for next generation networks

Accounting is generally considered as one of the most challenging issues in modern and future mobile networks. As multi-domain complex heterogeneous environments are becoming a common terrain, accounting procedures performed by network and service providers have turned into a key aspect. However, in order for these networks to reliably deliver modern real-time services, they should, among other things, provide accurate accounting services, particularly billing. This work elaborates on the accounting process, proposing a novel and robust accounting system. The requirements of the proposed mechanism are defined and all the accounting scenarios that the system should cope with are examined. All the proposed accounting extensions are implemented by means of Diameter AVPs and commands. Our mechanism is generic and capitalizes on the existing AAA infrastructure, thus providing secure means to transfer and store sensitive billing data. More importantly, it can be easily incorporated into the providers' existing mechanisms regardless of the underlying network technology. At the same time, its generic nature allows for interoperability between different network operators and service providers. Through extensive experimentation, we can also infer that our scheme is lightweight, scalable, and easy to implement requiring only minor modifications to the core Diameter protocol.

Reproducibility of RTVue Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Optic Disc Measurements and Agreement with Stratus Optical Coherence Tomography Measurements

To evaluate RTVue spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Optovue Inc, Fremont, California, USA) reproducibility and to assess agreement with Stratus time-domain OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA) measurements. Observational clinical study. Scans were obtained from both eyes of all participants 3 times using the RTVue nerve head map 4-mm diameter protocol and once using Stratus OCT within the same session. RTVue reproducibility and agreement with Stratus OCT were evaluated for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and optic disc measurements. Thirty healthy participants (60 eyes) and 38 glaucoma patients (76 eyes) were included in the study. RTVue reproducibility was good in both healthy participants and patients. For average RNFL thickness, the intraclass correlation coefficients in healthy eyes and patient eyes were 0.97 whereas for rim area they were 0.97 and 0.96, respectively. The correlation between RTVue and Stratus measurements generally was good, especially for average RNFL thickness (healthy eyes and patient eyes, r(2) = 0.82 and 0.86, respectively) and rim volume (healthy eyes and patient eyes, r(2) = 0.78 and 0.76, respectively). Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between the instruments, with better agreement for average RNFL thickness (95% limits of agreement in healthy eyes and patient eyes, -8.6 to 12 microm and -5.6 to -14.8 microm, respectively) than optic disc parameters. Cup-to-disc ratio 95% limits of agreement in healthy eyes and patient eyes were -0.3 to 0.4 and -0.2 to 0.3, respectively. Optic disc measurements with RTVue were smaller than those with Stratus OCT (eg, disc area was on average 0.4 mm(2) smaller and rim area was 0.3 mm(2) smaller with RTVue). Reproducibility of RTVue RNFL and optic disc measurements was excellent in both groups. The level of agreement between RTVue and Stratus measurements suggests that RTVue has the potential to detect glaucomatous structural changes.

IP flow accounting application for diameter

Flow accounting in IP networks is used by network operators for various purposes, such as network management, traffic management, or traffic analysis. In order to integrate flow accounting into an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) infrastructure, this work designs and evaluates an accounting extension to the Diameter protocol - termed Diameter IP Flow Accounting (IPFA) application - in support of the efficient transfer of IP flow records. The new Diameter IPFA application has been implemented as a prototype and its evaluation shows that it achieves a better performance for the transfer of IP flow records than the traditional Diameter accounting approach.

NGN에서의 QoS 정보요소 매핑 및 Rs/Rw 인터페이스의 자원제어 프로토콜 구현

NGN은 QoS가 지원되는 광 대역 전달 망에서 세션 및 비-세션 서비스를 지원하기 위한 패킷 기반의 융합 망이다. NGN에서 네트워크 사용자에 따라 차별화된 서비스를 제공하기 위해서는 QoS 기반 자원제어가 이루어져 한다. 본 논문에서는 DIAMETER를 이용하는 Rs 인터페이스의 자원제어 프로토콜을 설계 및 구현하였으며 NGN에서 QoS 기반 자원제어를 위하여 DIAMETER 정보요소와 세션제어 프로토콜인 SIP의 SDP 속성들의 매핑방안을 제시하였다. Rs 인터페이스와의 연동 용이성과 다양한 기능성을 고려하여 ITU-T에서 제시한 자원제어 프로토콜 중에서 Rw 인터페이스는 DIAMETER를 이용하는 자원제어 프로토콜을 구현하였다. 또한, 서비스 층에서 전송 층으로 자원제어를 위하여 Rs와 Rw 인터페이스 사이의 메시지 및 정보요소의 매핑방안을 제시하였다. 본 논문에서 제시한 QoS 정보요소의 매핑 방안과 Rs와 Rw 인터페이스의 연동 방안을 이용하여 차별화된 전송 서비스를 제공하는 NGN 자원제어 테스트-베드를 구축하였다. NGN is a packet-based converged network to support session and non-session services in QoS-enabled broadband transport network. QoS based resource control must be defined to support differentiated services for various network users in NGN. We designed and implemented DIAMETER protocol as the Rs interface, and also defined mapping rules between DIAMETER information elements and SDP(Session Description Protocol) attributes for QoS based resource control in NGN. We selected and implemented DIAMETER protocol among alternate resource control protocols in ITU-T as the Rw interface because of simple interworking method with Rs interface and adequate AAA functionality. We defined mapping rules of messages and information elements between Rs and Rw interfaces for resource control from a service layer to a transport layer. Based on the mapping rule of QoS information elements and the interworking method between Rs and Rw interfaces, we built up a test-bed that support differentiated delivery services.