Securing Low-Power Blockchain-Enabled IoT Devices Against Energy Depletion Attack

Blockchain-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) envisions a world with rapid development and implementations to change our everyday lives based on smart devices. These devices are attached to the internet that can communicate with each other without human interference. A well-known wireless network in blockchain-enabled IoT frameworks is the Low Power and Lossy Network (LLN) that uses a novel protocol known as Routing protocol for low power and lossy networks (RPL) to provide effective and energy-efficient routing. LLNs that run on RPL are inherently prone to multiple Denial of Service (DoS) attacks due to the low cost, shared medium. and resource-constrained nature of blockchain-enabled IoT devices. A Spam DODAG Information Solicitation (DIS) attack is one of the novel attacks that drain the energy source of legitimate nodes and ends up causing the legitimate nodes to suffer from DoS. To address this problem, a mitigation scheme named DIS Spam Attack Mitigation (DISAM) is proposed. The proposed scheme effectively mitigates the effects of the Spam DIS attack on the network’s performance. The experimental results show that DISAM detects and mitigates the attack quickly and efficiently

Burden of diarrhea in the eastern mediterranean region, 1990-2013: Findings from the global burden of disease study 2013

Diarrheal diseases (DD) are leading causes of disease burden, death, and disability, especially in children in low-income settings. DD can also impact a child's potential livelihood through stunted physical growth, cognitive impairment, and other sequelae. As part of the Global Burden of Disease Study, we estimated DD burden, and the burden attributable to specific risk factors and particular etiologies, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) between 1990 and 2013. For both sexes and all ages, we calculated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), which are the sum of years of life lost and years lived with disability. We estimate that over 125,000 deaths (3.6 of total deaths) were due to DD in the EMR in 2013, with a greater burden of DD in low-and middle-income countries. Diarrhea deaths per 100,000 children under 5 years of age ranged from one (95 uncertainty interval UI = 0-1) in Bahrain and Oman to 471 (95% UI = 245-763) in Somalia. The pattern for diarrhea DALYs among those under 5 years of age closely followed that for diarrheal deaths. DALYs per 100,000 ranged from 739 (95% UI = 520-989) in Syria to 40,869 (95% UI = 21,540-65,823) in Somalia. Our results highlighted a highly inequitable burden of DD in EMR, mainly driven by the lack of access to proper resources such as water and sanitation. Our findings will guide preventive and treatment interventions which are based on evidence and which follow the ultimate goal of reducing the DD burden. Copyright © 2016 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Health in times of uncertainty in the eastern Mediterranean region, 1990�2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013

Background The eastern Mediterranean region is comprised of 22 countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Since our Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010), the region has faced unrest as a result of revolutions, wars, and the so-called Arab uprisings. The objective of this study was to present the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in the eastern Mediterranean region as of 2013. Methods GBD 2013 includes an annual assessment covering 188 countries from 1990 to 2013. The study covers 306 diseases and injuries, 1233 sequelae, and 79 risk factors. Our GBD 2013 analyses included the addition of new data through updated systematic reviews and through the contribution of unpublished data sources from collaborators, an updated version of modelling software, and several improvements in our methods. In this systematic analysis, we use data from GBD 2013 to analyse the burden of disease and injuries in the eastern Mediterranean region specifically. Findings The leading cause of death in the region in 2013 was ischaemic heart disease (90·3 deaths per 100�000 people), which increased by 17·2 since 1990. However, diarrhoeal diseases were the leading cause of death in Somalia (186·7 deaths per 100�000 people) in 2013, which decreased by 26·9 since 1990. The leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) was ischaemic heart disease for males and lower respiratory infection for females. High blood pressure was the leading risk factor for DALYs in 2013, with an increase of 83·3 since 1990. Risk factors for DALYs varied by country. In low-income countries, childhood wasting was the leading cause of DALYs in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen, whereas unsafe sex was the leading cause in Djibouti. Non-communicable risk factors were the leading cause of DALYs in high-income and middle-income countries in the region. DALY risk factors varied by age, with child and maternal malnutrition affecting the younger age groups (aged 28 days to 4 years), whereas high bodyweight and systolic blood pressure affected older people (aged 60�80 years). The proportion of DALYs attributed to high body-mass index increased from 3·7 to 7·5 between 1990 and 2013. Burden of mental health problems and drug use increased. Most increases in DALYs, especially from non-communicable diseases, were due to population growth. The crises in Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Syria have resulted in a reduction in life expectancy; life expectancy in Syria would have been 5 years higher than that recorded for females and 6 years higher for males had the crisis not occurred. Interpretation Our study shows that the eastern Mediterranean region is going through a crucial health phase. The Arab uprisings and the wars that followed, coupled with ageing and population growth, will have a major impact on the region's health and resources. The region has historically seen improvements in life expectancy and other health indicators, even under stress. However, the current situation will cause deteriorating health conditions for many countries and for many years and will have an impact on the region and the rest of the world. Based on our findings, we call for increased investment in health in the region in addition to reducing the conflicts. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY licens

The neuroprotective effect of vitamin E on waterpipe tobacco smoking-induced memory impairment: The antioxidative role

Aims: Tobacco smoking is associated with a vast range of adverse health effects, including diminished cognitive and anti-oxidative capabilities. Conversely, vitamin E (VitE) is known to enhance data acquisition and retention and hippocampal oxidative defense. No studies, however, examined the protective effect of VitE with tobacco administration. Therefore, this study examined the protective effect of VitE on the cognitive and oxidative debilitating effects induced by waterpipe smoking. Materials and methods: Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: waterpipe smoking, VitE, waterpipe combined with VitE, and control group. The exposure to waterpipe and VitE was for one month and then spatial learning and memory were assesses using Radial Arms Water Maze. Additionally, oxidative stress biomarkers (Catalase, GPx, and TBARS, GSH, GSSG, and GSH/GSSG ratio) were assessed in the hippocampus. Key findings: The results revealed that waterpipe smoking impaired short-term and long-term memory (P < 0.05). Waterpipe smoking reduced activity of catalase (P < 0.05), GPx (P < 0.05) and GSH/GSSG ratio (P < 0.05) in the hippocampus. Administration of VitE prevented memory impairment and alterations in oxidative stress biomarkers. Significance: waterpipe smoking induces short-term and long-term memory impairments, which were prevented by administration of VitE via its anti-oxidative properties.The current work was supported by Deanship of Scientific Research at Jordan University of Science and Technology (project number 73/2013 ).Scopu

Swimming exercise protective effect on waterpipe tobacco smoking-induced impairment of memory and oxidative stress

Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WP) is associated with a vast range of detrimental health effects, including memory impairment and anti-oxidative scavenging dysfunction. Forced swimming exercise (FSE) is known to improve cognitive function and general wellbeing. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of FSE on memory impairment induced by exposure to WP in the rat model. Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: fresh air (control), WP exposure, FSE, and WP/FSE. Animals were exposed to WP for 1 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. At the same time, animals were forced to swim 1 h/day as 5 min swimming followed by 5 min rest, 5 days/ week for 4 weeks. Spatial learning and memory was assessed using Radial Arm Water Maze (RAWM). Additionally, hippocampal oxidative stress biomarkers including reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG ratio, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Catalase, and TBARS were analyzed. Key findings: this study showed that WP exposure impaired both short- and long-term memory (P < 0.05). On the other hand, FSE prevented memory impairment induced by WP exposure (P < 0.05). Moreover, WP exposure reduced activity of catalase, GPx, and GSH/GSSG ratio (P < 0.05) in the hippocampus, which were also normalized by FSE. However, no changes were detected in GSH and TBARS levels in WP exposure and/or FSE groups. In conclusion, WP exposure induced both short- and long- term memory impairments, which was prevented by FSE. This improvement in memory function might be attributed to oxidative stress biomarkers pathways. - 2019 Elsevier Inc.This work was financially supported by Deanship of Scientific Research at Jordan University of Science and Technology (grant number 73/2013 ).Scopu

Synthesis, computational, anticancerous and antiproliferative effects of some copper, manganese and zinc complexes with ligands derived from symmetrical 2,2’-diamino-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl-salicylaldehyde

Four new symmetrical Schiff bases derived from 2,2’-diamino-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl-salicylaldehyde have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and different spectroscopic techniques. The reaction of 2,2’-diamino-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl with two equivalents of 5-tert-butyl-, 3,5-dinitro-, 3,5-dibromo- and 3-tert-butyl-salicylaldehyde yielded 2,2’-bis(5-tert-butyl-salicylideneamino)-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl (A1) as well as the 3,5-dinitro- (A2), 3,5-dibromo- (A3) and 3-tert-butyl- (A4) substituted derivatives. The tetradentate ligands were then reacted with copper-, manganese- and zinc-acetate producing the tetra-coordinate metal complexes which were characterized by FTIR, UV-Visible spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and elemental analysis. Zinc complexes were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory were carried out to fully optimize and examine the molecular geometries of complexes. Subsequently, IR vibrational and UV-Vis absorption spectra were computed and correlated with the observed values and the results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The anticancerous and antiproliferative activity of the A3 ligand and its metal complexes were determined

Synthesis, computational, anticancerous and antiproliferative effects of some copper, manganese and zinc complexes with ligands derived from symmetrical 2,2’-diamino-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl-salicylaldehyde

Four new symmetrical Schiff bases derived from 2,2’-diamino-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl-salicylaldehyde have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and different spectroscopic techniques. The reaction of 2,2’-diamino-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl with two equivalents of 5-tert-butyl-, 3,5-dinitro-, 3,5-dibromo- and 3-tert-butyl-salicylaldehyde yielded 2,2’-bis(5-tert-butyl-salicylideneamino)-4,4’-dimethyl-1,1’-biphenyl (A1) as well as the 3,5-dinitro- (A2), 3,5-dibromo- (A3) and 3-tert-butyl- (A4) substituted derivatives. The tetradentate ligands were then reacted with copper-, manganese- and zinc-acetate producing the tetra-coordinate metal complexes which were characterized by FTIR, UV-Visible spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility and elemental analysis. Zinc complexes were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory were carried out to fully optimize and examine the molecular geometries of complexes. Subsequently, IR vibrational and UV-Vis absorption spectra were computed and correlated with the observed values and the results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The anticancerous and antiproliferative activity of the A3 ligand and its metal complexes were determined