April 8, 2022 - Reading time: 6 minutes

With the recent surge in cloud computing, deployment and collaboration in cloud-based systems have become critical for organizations. While the traditional collaborative technologies are functional, they don’t offer flexibility and agility for dynamic collaboration. As the technologies are not very efficient, organizations are bound to keep all their eggs in the same basket, jeopardizing data confidentiality and application security.

A new proxy-based framework proposed for cloud computing has been developed to overcome the issues that the traditional technologies and frameworks face.

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What Is Multi-Cloud

Multi-cloud is a practice that involves more than one cloud deployment of the same type. Two types of cloud computing can be employed for deployment and those are categorized into public and prWith the recent surge in cloud computing, deployment and collaboration in cloud-based systems have become critical for organizations. While the traditional collaborative technologies are functional, they don’t offer flexibility and agility for dynamic collaboration. As the technologies are not very efficient, organizations are bound to keep all their eggs in the same basket, jeopardizing data confidentiality and application security. If you design a system with both public and private cloud deployment systems, the setup is called hybrid cloud, which is beyond the scope of this article’s discussion.

A multi-cloud system offers many benefits for an organization. Such as:

• No two cloud services are the same. You might find one of those perfect for an aspect of your operation and another for one. Opting for multiple cloud solutions is the best solution for it. But, if you need to collaborate between those two elements, it becomes complicated with a multi-cloud approach.

• Despite the development of faster internet connections, poor response time is still an issue for organizations. To diminish the problem, multiple clouds, stationed in different locations help.

• Multi-cloud solutions help prevent outages of the main cloud by keeping backups in different locations.

What Is Proxy-Based Framework

A proxy-based framework or infrastructure for cloud computing is an approach that allows users and applications to use data from multiple clouds simultaneously. As general proxy servers forward your web requests, a proxy-based framework offers dynamic collaboration by forwarding access requests to a multi-cloud system.

Multi-cloud systems lack agility, flexibility, and openness. With the introduction of proxy-based frameworks in the multi-cloud setup, it’s now possible to implement interactions between multiple systems without being bounded by highly controlled, low-level integration techniques.

But, as convenient as the system may sound, it’s unlikely that cloud vendors will accept a centralized system that easily lets users migrate to other services.

The proxy-based framework uses various forms of proxies to ensure the multi-cloud system stays dynamic and secure.

What Types of Proxy-Based Frameworks Can Be Used For Cloud Computing

Proxy as a Service

Just as the name suggests, proxy as a service (PaaS) is a solution that lets other correlated microservices direct their requests through the same server. PaaS ensures that the security and management policies are maintained throughout the microservices. Like residential proxies, PaaS also works as a gateway and forwards the requests originating from different services to their intended destination. But, in the case of residential proxies, the proxy servers forward the requests from a different location.

In a proxy-based framework for cloud computing, multiple cloud services can use the common third-party proxy solution so that they don’t have to implement proxy services on their cloud servers.

Could-Hosted Proxy

A cloud-hosted proxy is already based on clouds and doesn’t employ a hardware setup. Just as with any proxy, cloud proxy servers also forward your request through different servers to communicate further. Your web requests flow through cloud-proxy servers to the websites you want to visit, which then return through the same server to you and fulfill your requirement by keeping you secure from predatory eyes. In proxy-based frameworks for cloud computing, the service provider must host cloud-proxies within their facility to manage and forward the user requests to other cloud systems.

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Peer-to-Peer Network

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks allow multiple systems to share files and resources within themselves without requiring any third-party server or device. In theory, all the computers in the network work both as a client and a server depending on the usage. The sharing policies of a P2P network are defined by the settings of each device taking part in the transmission.

Cloud computing can be implemented through peer-to-peer proxy networks in agreement with cloud providers to offer flexibility and agility.

On-Premise Proxy

On-premises proxies are hosted and managed by organizations that require proxy servers for their projects. On-premises proxies are the most versatile proxy servers that companies can have. As it’s managed by the same organization it’s hosted on, the chances of stolen data, compromised connection, and data outages are minimal.

If your organization is on a multi-cloud system and have the resources to erect on-premises proxy servers, in collaboration with the cloud providers, they can deploy proxy-based frameworks for cloud computing. For this approach to be successful, all the cloud providers will also have to be on board.

Advantages of Proxy-Based Framework in Cloud Computing

The advantages of a multi-cloud system are well known and discussed before. But implementing a proxy-based framework in cloud computing has advantages beyond that.

Faster Cloud Computation

Multiple cloud vendors implement different security and data policies for their products. A proxy solution will require them to abide by the same policies throughout their cloud servers. What it changes is that if you need to collaborate between projects on different servers, you won’t need to abide by different rules and can execute jobs faster.

Fragmentation

Application logic can be faulty. Presently, the data and application need to be housed on the same server because the infrastructure is not fast enough to collaborate them. With the introduction of proxy-based frameworks, data and application logic can be separated from each other, and sensitive data can be protected from leakage due to application logic faults.

Data Confidentiality

As no one cloud provider will not be having all data of the same project, data confidentiality is maintained. This works in two ways. First, the application logic, any cloud provider won’t have access to the full application logic if it’s distributed between different cloud servers in micro fragments. Second, the cloud providers won’t have access to the whole calculated results. Thus, data confidentiality interests are protected.

The Bottom Line

The proxy-based framework approach promoted dynamic collaboration between multiple cloud systems. Proxy servers act as an intermediary to facilitate operations that need to share data. This framework has the potential to overcome multiple difficulties that multi-cloud systems face while trying to collaborate between applications. The developers are trying to develop a viable proxy-based framework depending on use cases and security requirements. Although the development is still in its infancy, the potential of this technology is unrivaled.

by Dani Martin

April 5, 2022 - Reading time: 3 minutes

The world around us is being understood at a deeper and deeper level in so many different ways. As we start to break down particles and molecules at a smaller level, we are getting to grips with the makeup of different objects and how they are composed, as well as what they are made up of. This information tells us so much about the world around us that it would have once been impossible to determine and highly difficult to get to grips with. 

Of course, the ability to better understand objects is highly useful for the general development of human knowledge, but it also means that we are going to be able to better develop things in the manufacturing process, and this can be used in plenty of different fields including healthcare. The ability to understand objects is done through the use of modern tools. More and more of these are being developed all the time. In the following sections, a closer look will be taken at some of these tools and the impact that they had on past, present, and future understanding of objects, exactly what they are composed of, and much, much more.

Microscope 

At the layman’s level, many people think of a microscope as being one that is put on a desk and used in high school science experiments. However, there is no doubt that this only scratches the surface of what is possible, and there are more and more powerful versions of this simple starting point that allow a closer and closer look at the molecules that make up a particular object. Of course, power is something that increases significantly with time, research, and development, all of which have been done to a significant degree with microscopes. 

Particle Size Analyzer 

These are being used to a greater and greater degree in the world of healthcare as they are particularly important in pharmacy and the manufacturing process of new medicines, which is becoming more advanced and developed than ever before.

X-Ray Diffractometers 

These pieces of equipment are highly advanced and being developed by the likes of malvernpanalytical.com. Ultimately, these can be used in a vast array of different environments, including many universities and research facilities. The process of x-raying objects is one that has been around for a long time, but at the same time, it is also something that has become more and more advanced over recent months and years. 

Molecular Machine 

Finally, we have the molecular machines that are commonly used and come in the form of artificial and biological. Both of them have their specific uses and can tell us a lot more about different objects.

These are just a few of the pieces of equipment that allow us to understand objects at a deeper and deeper level. There is no doubt that more will be developed over the coming months and years as we seek to develop an even deeper understanding of the world around us.

By James Daniels: 

February 23, 2022 - Reading time: 3 minutes

Sometimes we want to drive a luxury car and live in premium apartments. It's great that today we have a wonderful opportunity not to buy but rent and try all these.

Everyone knows that the UAE is famous for its high-class service, luxury cars on the roads, and the most expensive hotels. Visiting Dubai is a dream of many. By the way, most of the tourists believe that this dream is unattainable and a trip to this beautiful country requires a huge amount of money.

It's definitely not the cheapest tourist destination. However, there are numerous ways to travel to Dubai on a budget and, at the same time, experience all the luxuries this metropolis has to offer.

In this article, we will talk about luxury car rental Dubai. We are going to show you the top five cars everyone can afford without spending a fortune. Let's go!

Read more ... [Travel]

February 12, 2022 - Reading time: 6 minutes

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Chiropractic and Diagnostic Imaging

Back and neck pains are chiropractic domains(1). Chiropractic (manual therapy) deals with the spine structure’s realignment to address functional impairments, muscle weakness, and pain(2).

Doctors examine the spinal column and base their diagnosis through imaging tests, such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), radiography or X-ray, and CT (computed tomography) scan(3).

Chiropractic adjustments can help correct the body’s alignment, relieve pain, and promote healthy body function(4). These adjustments alleviate muscle and joint pains, headache, neck pain, and low back pain(5).

Chiropractors use manual treatment methods and do not prescribe medication for any conditions.

Some of the chiropractic treatments that are used involve sustained pressure on particular joints and stretching in improving joint motion and function(6).

Chiropractors use therapies, stretching, and exercises to relieve spasms, relax tight muscles, improve mobility and range of motion, and release body tensions(7).

These treatment methods are done through the use of gentle but quick hand thrust(8). An assessment that involves diagnostic imaging must be done to verify the spine’s condition before going through these treatments.

Radiography is said to offer superior results compared to other primal treatments(9). X-ray licensure for the ownership and use of the machine has been attained by chiropractors since 1910(10).

However, some people have criticized the exposure in spinal radiography(11).

In the last 30 years, the management and diagnosis of spinal pain changed from a static mechanical model (X-ray) to a patient-centered model that increased the awareness of the risk of X-rays in evaluating spinal pain(12).

Currently, 8% to 84% of patients continue to use X-rays for chiropractic consultations(13).

A study conducted in 2012 reported that chiropractor’s diagnostic imaging use is influenced by several factors, such as social influences, belief about X-ray capabilities, knowledge, and professional role and capabilities(14).

Even so, due to the positive evolution of diagnostic imaging, various trends arise.

The Evolving Trends

• Digital Imaging Tests

        At present, X-ray is not the only imaging modality that can be used for chiropractic evaluations.

Diagnostic imaging assessments are now made easier with digital imaging that allows chiropractors to take images, adjust if needed, and send them to a radiologist for interpretation.

The move from radiographic imaging to digital imaging benefits patients by having quicker diagnosis and treatment plans while putting up with less radiation exposure.

According to a study on the advantages of digital radiography, switching to digital from film radiography may improve diagnosis due to the readily available and more objective data(15).

• Chiropractic Training in Diagnostic Imaging

        Chiropractors need to pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) test to ensure that they have the requisite knowledge and skills to perform their functions safely and effectively(16).

Due to the transition from film to digital diagnostic imaging, Part IV of the NBCE exam was revised.

An evaluation study in The Journal of Chiropractic Education in 2020 reported that the transition to digital diagnostic imaging in the chiropractic board exam relied on empirical research, was well thought through, and aligned with the US chiropractic curricula(17).

This study has significant implications for the further development of the additional skill set of chiropractic students and faculty in digital diagnostic imaging.

The extensive training that the chiropractors undergo today includes bone and soft tissue X-ray (radiography), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) scan.

Continuous chiropractic training ensures that chiropractors perform updated diagnostic imaging practices.

However, some chiropractors still refer patients to imaging centers to diagnose and plan treatment for their conditions.

• Diagnostic Imaging Options

        Recently, there have been chiropractic imaging recommendations for evaluating the spine aside from plain film radiology.

A study recommended some diagnostic imaging modalities that may be helpful in the practice of chiropractic treatment. These techniques include the following(18):

Full Spine Radiography

        This radiograph type shows the whole spine that has been a vital diagnostic tool until today(19). However, full-spine radiography has garnered several criticisms over the years due to its radiation exposure.

Various developments have made this imaging technique effective and safe. Full-spine radiography is helpful in spinal alignment (scoliosis), postural disorders, and routine screening of chiropractic patients(20).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

        The use of MRI can be an inexpensive, specific, and sensitive method of analyzing changes in bone structure(21). Magnetic fields and radio waves help produce body structure images.

This diagnostic test is used with an intravenous contrast, which gives a clearer picture of the body’s bone structures(22).

Epidural scarring can be differentiated from residual disc material when MRI is performed in postoperative patients.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

        The CT scan is often used to evaluate trauma(23). This diagnostic modality can also view the spinal column and distinguish lesions in the intradural and epidural space(24).

Even though these modalities show promise in the future of chiropractic treatment, further research is still needed.

By Fay Smith

References

1. Ernst, E., (May 2008), Chiropractic: A Critical Evaluation, retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S088539240700783X
2. Oakley, P. A., Cuttler, J. M., & Harrison, D. E. (2018). X-Ray Imaging is Essential for Contemporary Chiropractic and Manual Therapy Spinal Rehabilitation: Radiography Increases Benefits and Reduces Risks. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society, 16(2), 1559325818781437. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559325818781437
3. Rubin, M., (February 2020), Overview of Spinal Cord Disorders, retrieved from https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/spinal-cord-disorders/overview-of-spinal-cord-disorders
4. Cleaveland Clinic, (n.d.), Chiropractic Adjustment, retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21033-chiropractic-adjustment
5. Ibid.
6. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, (n.d.), Chiropractic: In Depth, retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depth
7. Cleaveland Clinic, Op. Cit.
8. NIH, Op. Cit.
9. Oakley, P. A., Op. Cit
10. Jenkins, H. J., Downie, A. S., Moore, C. S., & French, S. D. (2018). Current evidence for spinal X-ray use in the chiropractic profession: a narrative review. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 26, 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-018-0217-8
11. Oakley, P. A., Op. Cit.
12. Jenkins, H. J., Op. Cit.
13. Ibid.
14. Bussières, A.E., Patey, A.M., Francis, J.J. et al. Identifying factors likely to influence compliance with diagnostic imaging guideline recommendations for spine disorders among chiropractors in North America: a focus group study using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Implementation Sci 7, 82 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-7-82
15. van der Stelt PF. Better imaging: the advantages of digital radiography. J Am Dent Assoc. 2008 Jun;139 Suppl:7S-13S. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2008.0357. PMID: 18539866.
16. Himelfarb, I., Seron, M. A., et. al., (March 2020), The transition to digital presentation of the diagnostic imaging domain of the Part IV examination of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, retrieved from https://meridian.allenpress.com/jce/article/34/1/52/432587/The-transition-to-digital-presentation-of-the
17. Ibid.
18. Schultz, G., Phillipps, R. D., Cooley, J., et. al., (n.d.), Diagnostic Imaging of the Spine in Chiropractic Practice: Recommendations for Utilisation, retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/14114/1/diagnostic_imaging_of_the_spine.pdf
19. Ibid.
20. Ibid.
21. Ibid.
22. Ibid.
23. Ibid.
24. Ibid.

February 6, 2022 - Reading time: 5 minutes