A scoping review of distributed ledger technology in genomics: thematic analysis and directions for future research

Objective Rising interests in distributed ledger technology (DLT) and genomics have sparked various interdisciplinary research streams with a proliferating number of scattered publications investigating the application of DLT in genomics. This review aims to uncover the current state of research on DLT in genomics, in terms of focal research themes and directions for future research. Materials and Methods We conducted a scoping review and thematic analysis. To identify the 60 relevant papers, we queried Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, arXiv, and BiorXiv. Results Our analysis resulted in 7 focal themes on DLT in genomics discussed in literature, namely: (1) Data economy and sharing; (2) Data management; (3) Data protection; (4) Data storage; (5) Decentralized data analysis; (6) Proof of useful work; and (7) Ethical, legal, and social implications. Discussion Based on the identified themes, we present 7 future research directions: (1) Investigate opportunities for the application of DLT concepts other than Blockchain; (2) Explore people’s attitudes and behaviors regarding the commodification of genetic data through DLT-based genetic data markets; (3) Examine opportunities for joint consent management via DLT; (4) Investigate and evaluate data storage models appropriate for DLT; (5) Research the regulation-compliant use of DLT in healthcare information systems; (6) Investigate alternative consensus mechanisms based on Proof of Useful Work; and (7) Explore DLT-enabled approaches for the protection of genetic data ensuring user privacy. Conclusion While research on DLT in genomics is currently growing, there are many unresolved problems. This literature review outlines extant research and provides future directions for researchers and practitioners

A scoping review of distributed ledger technology in genomics: thematic analysis and directions for future research

OBJECTIVE: Rising interests in distributed ledger technology (DLT) and genomics have sparked various interdisciplinary research streams with a proliferating number of scattered publications investigating the application of DLT in genomics. This review aims to uncover the current state of research on DLT in genomics, in terms of focal research themes and directions for future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a scoping review and thematic analysis. To identify the 60 relevant papers, we queried Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, arXiv, and BiorXiv. RESULTS: Our analysis resulted in 7 focal themes on DLT in genomics discussed in literature, namely: (1) Data economy and sharing; (2) Data management; (3) Data protection; (4) Data storage; (5) Decentralized data analysis; (6) Proof of useful work; and (7) Ethical, legal, and social implications. DISCUSSION: Based on the identified themes, we present 7 future research directions: (1) Investigate opportunities for the application of DLT concepts other than Blockchain; (2) Explore people’s attitudes and behaviors regarding the commodification of genetic data through DLT-based genetic data markets; (3) Examine opportunities for joint consent management via DLT; (4) Investigate and evaluate data storage models appropriate for DLT; (5) Research the regulation-compliant use of DLT in healthcare information systems; (6) Investigate alternative consensus mechanisms based on Proof of Useful Work; and (7) Explore DLT-enabled approaches for the protection of genetic data ensuring user privacy. CONCLUSION: While research on DLT in genomics is currently growing, there are many unresolved problems. This literature review outlines extant research and provides future directions for researchers and practitioners

Blockchain Adoption:A Study of Cognitive Factors Underpinning Decision Making

The literature so far has been focused on technological sophistication rather than the aspects of blockchain adoption that can hinder or facilitate the use of the technology. To address this gap this paper aims to study the cognitive factors underpinning adoption decision-making moderated by user characteristics. Using a cross-sectional research design, the study recruited 506 respondents to participate and test the relationships hypothesised in the research model. The results of the analysis demonstrated that perceived threat vulnerability, response cost, response efficacy and self-efficacy determine adoption intention. These factors have varying effects on intention depending on users' subjective knowledge, objective knowledge and innovativeness. This evidence contributes to the understanding of users’ perspectives on blockchain adoption, which has been under-researched so far. The findings shed light on the cognitive factors motivating blockchain-based technology use and the individual characteristics of users who are likely to adopt the technology in the context of data privacy and security. In turn, these findings can inform practitioners about the aspects of user behaviour that should be considered while developing and marketing the technology

The multimedia blockchain: a distributed and tamper-proof media transaction framework

A distributed and tamper proof media transaction framework is proposed based on the blockchain model. Current multimedia distribution does not preserve self-retrievable information of transaction trails or content modification histories. For example, digital copies of valuable artworks, creative media and entertainment contents are distributed for various purposes including exhibitions, gallery collections or in media production workflow. Original media is often edited for creative content preparation or tampered with to fabricate false propaganda over social media. However there is no existing trusted mechanism that can easily retrieve either the transaction trails or the modification histories. We propose a novel watermarking based Multimedia Blockchain framework that can address such issues. The unique watermark information contains two pieces of information: a) a cryptographic hash that contains transaction histories (blockchain transactions log) and b) an image hash that preserves retrievable original media content. Once the watermark is extracted, first part of the watermark is passed to a distributed ledger to retrieve the historical transaction trail and the latter part is used to identify the edited / tampered regions. The paper outlines the requirements, the challenges and demonstrates the proof of this concept

An incentive mechanism for data sharing based on blockchain with smart contracts

© 2020 Data sharing techniques have progressively drawn increasing attention as a means of significantly reducing repetitive work. However, in the process of data sharing, the challenges regarding formation of mutual-trust relationships and increasing the level of user participation are yet to be solved. The existing solution is to use a third party as a trust organization for data sharing, but there is no dynamic incentive mechanism for data sharing with a large number of users. Blockchain 2.0 with smart contract has the natural advantage of being able to enable trust and automated transactions between a large number of users. This paper proposes a data sharing incentive model based on evolutionary game theory using blockchain with smart contract. The smart contract mechanism can dynamically control the excitation parameters and continuously encourages users to participate in data sharing

Traversing the Digital Era: The Amazing Evolution of Pen and Paper to Screens and Keyboards

In this research article, the researcher delves into the ebb and flow of human ingenuity as the paper traces the evolution of writing from papyrus to pixels.  Discover how humble instruments like quill pens and typewriters have propelled human into the digital frontier, forever reshaping the art of expression in the modern age. This article examines the evolution of writing tools from traditional pen and paper to digital writing in the modern age. It explores the development of writing materials such as papyrus, parchment, and paper, as well as the invention of writing tools including quill pens, fountain pens, and typewriters. The rise of digital writing tools, including word processing software and smartphones, is also discussed, along with their benefits such as increased efficiency and productivity, enhanced collaboration and sharing capabilities, and greater accessibility and flexibility. However, the article also highlights the challenges of writing in the digital age, including the impact of digital distractions on writing focus and quality, the issue of online plagiarism and copyright infringement, and the potential loss of traditional writing skills. The article concludes with recommendations for educators, school administrators, students, and researchers to strike a balance between digital and traditional writing practices, to embrace digital writing tools while preserving traditional writing skills, and to understand the importance of the evolution of writing. The theoretical frameworks of Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) Theory, Media Ecology Theory, and Activity Theory are also discussed in relation to the evolution of writing tools. Overall, this article provides valuable insights into the history, benefits, and challenges of writing in the digital age, as well as suggestions for navigating the future of writing and its tools

Towards CRISP‐BC: 3TIC specification framework for Blockchain use‐cases

The application of Blockchain and augmented technologies such as IoT, AI, and Big Data platforms present a feasible approach for resolving the implementation challenges of trusted, decentralized platforms. This article proposes a DevOps framework for the specification of Blockchain use‐cases that enables evaluation, replication, and benchmarking. Specifically, it could be applied to specify the requirements and design characteristics of Blockchain applications in terms of key attributes such as: (i) transparency; (ii) traceability; (iii) tamper‐resistance; (iv) immutability; and (v) compliance. The article first introduces the design characteristics of Blockchain as a Platform and then examines successful use‐cases for its implementation using the above attributes. It may be conjectured that the 3TIC framework would serve as the basis of a cross industry process for Blockchain. The intended contribution is that such a standard process will support industry‐academia collaboration in the development of Blockchain platforms and services of relevance and utility as it can be applied by firms to structure their requirements and design specifications. As Blockchain technology moves from nascent to emergence, it is opportune to discuss standards in the context of use‐cases. This article provides some arguments for why and how requirements and design specifications could be standardised

SugarChain: Blockchain technology meets Agriculture -- The case study and analysis of the Indian sugarcane farming

Not only in our country and Asia, but the agriculture sector is also lagging all over the world while using new technologies and innovations. Farmers are not getting the accurate price and compensation of their products because of several reasons. The intermediate persons or say middlemen are controlling the prices and product delivery on their own. Due to lack of education, technological advancement, market knowledge, post-harvesting processes, and middleman involvement, farmers are always deprived of their actual pay and efforts. The use of blockchain technology can help such farmers to automate the process with high trust. We have presented our case study and analysis for the Indian sugarcane farming with data collected from farmers. The system implementation, testing, and result analysis has been shown based on the case study. The overall purpose of our research is to emphasize and motivate the agricultural products and benefit the farmers with the use of blockchain technology.Comment: 17 page