A signature-based data security and authentication framework for internet of things applications

Internet of things (IoT) is the next big revolution in modernized network technologies connecting a massive number of heterogeneous smart appliances and physical objects. Owing to these technologies' novelty, various issues are characterized by security concerns are the most prioritized issue. A review of existing security approaches highlights that they are very particular about the solution towards a specific attack and cannot resist any unknown attacker. Therefore, this manuscript presents a novel computational model that introduces a unique authentication process using a simplified encryption strategy. The simulated study outcome shows that the proposed system offers efficient security and efficient data transmission performance in the presence of an unknown adversary. Hence, the study outcome exhibits better effects than frequently used security solutions when implemented in a vulnerable IoT environment

'The clock keeps ticking' - the role of a community-based intervention in reducing delays in seeking emergency obstetric care in rural Bangladesh: a quasi-experimental study

Objective: To explore the role of a community-based intervention in reducing delays in accessing emergency obstetric care (EmOC) in rural Bangladesh, and the factors associated with delayed decision making, reaching the health facility and receiving treatment. Study design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: Multistage random sampling was used to select 540 villages, from which 1200 women who reported obstetric complications in March–April 2010 were interviewed. Results: The median time taken to make the decisions to access health care was significantly lower in the intervention areas compared with the control areas (80 vs 90 min). In addition, the median time taken to reach the health facility was significantly lower in intervention areas compared with the control areas (110 vs 135 min). However, no difference was found in the median time taken to receive treatment. Multiple linear regressions demonstrated that community intervention significantly reduced decision making and time taken to reach the health facility when accessing EmOC in rural Bangladesh. However, for women experiencing haemorrhage, the delays were longer in the intervention areas. Protective factors against delayed decision making included access to television, previous medical exposure, knowledge, life-threatening complications during childbirth and use of primary health facility. Financial constraints and traditional perceptions were associated with delayed decision making. Complications during labour, use of a motorized vehicle and use of a primary health facility were associated with faster access to EmOC and poverty, distance, transportation difficulties and decision making by male guardian were associated with slower access to EmOC. Conclusions: The intervention appeared to reduce the time taken to make the decision to access health care and time taken to reach the health facility when accessing EmOC. This study provides support for a focus on emergency preparedness for timely referral from the community

Evaluation of the effect of aromatase inhibitor in reducing the size of endometrioma

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive estrogen-dependent disorder that can result in substantial morbidity, including pelvic pain, multiple operations, and infertility. Endometriosis can be ovarian, peritoneal or deep infiltrative. Blocking estrogen production by inhibiting aromatization, aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) has been shown to reduce the size of endometrioma and endometriosis associated pain. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of aromatase inhibitor in reducing the size of endometrioma.Methods: A prospective non comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility of BSMMU on 30 women with ovarian endometrioma during the period of April 2019 to March 2020. Women were treated with aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) 2.5 mg, norethisterone 5 mg, calcium 1200 mg, and vitamin D 800 IU daily for 6 months. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after treatment to assess the mean diameter and volume of endometriomas. Statistical analyses were carried out by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0.Results: More than 50% reduction in volume occurred in 90% of endometrioma. In one (3.3%) case endometrioma disappeared completely after 6 months. There was statistically significant reduction of size of endometrioma (estimated by mean diameter and volume) and pain. Volume decrease was linearly related to baseline endometrioma volume and inversely related to baseline body mass index (BMI). The side effects were mild and well tolerated by the patients.Conclusions: Treatment of ovarian endometrioma with aromatase inhibitor combined with progestin add-back for 6 months cause substantial reduction in size of endometrioma and associated pain

Acarbose versus orlistat in weight management of infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects about 4 to 12% of women worldwide. PCOS is the most common cause of anavulation in infertile women. The endocrine dysfunction of PCOS is aggravated by obesity. Weight management is the first line treatment of this condition. In this study, we tried to compare acarbose versus orlistat in weight management of infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acarbose and orlistat in weight management of infertile polycystic ovarian syndrome women.Methods: This open label randomized controlled trial study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study period was 1 year from July 2019 to June 2020. A total of 32 obese infertile women with PCOS were included in the study and randomized to two treatment arms: acarbose 100 mg tds for 3 months and orlistat 120 mg tds for 3-months.Results: The response of adequate (>10%) weight reduction with acarbose was 67% of that with orlistat. The side effects with acarbose were 15% of that with orlistat. Acanthosis nigricans was reduced in 18.8% (n=3/16) of those receiving acarbose.Menstrual cycle regularized in 37.5% (n=6/16) in experimental (acarbose) group and in 18.8% (n=3/16) in control (orlistat) group.Conclusions: The therapeutic potential of acarbose in reducing weight was relatively less than orlistat in obese infertile PCOS women

Effect of aromatase inhibitor, letrozole on semen parameters in eugonadotropic hypoandrogenic men with oligozoospermia

Background: Some men with severely defective sperm production commonly have excess aromatase activity, reflected by low serum testosterone and relatively elevated estradiol levels. Elevated levels of estrogen lead to feedback inhibition of the hypothalamic -pituitary-gonadal axis, and the end result is a decrease in LH necessary for the production of testosterone, and FSH to optimize sperm production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aromatase inhibitor, letrozole on the semen parameters of infertile male having oligozoospermia, low serum testosterone level and testosterone to estradiol ratio <10.Methods: This Prospective study was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from May 2019 to April 2020. The sample size was 30 subfertile men with oligozoospermia (≤ 10 million/ml), low serum testosterone level (<300 ng/dl) and low testosterone to estradiol ratio (<10). All patients were treated with letrozole 2.5 mg daily for 4 months. At the end of the 4 months the semen analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was carried out by using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 for windows (SPSS version 25.0).Results: The sperm concentration, sperm motility and total motile sperm count significantly increased after letrozole treatment. The side effects were mild and well tolerated.Conclusions: This study suggests that some men with oligozoospermia, low serum testosterone levels and normal gonadotropin concentration may have a treatable endocrinopathy. Letrozole may be used to improve sperm parameters in infertile men with low serum testosterone to estradiol ratio

Efficacy of the Swede score in prediction of high-grade lesions of cervix

Background: Cervical cancer is a preventable lesion that can be identified by stepwise screening methods. Visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid, Lugol’s iodine, pap smear, and HPV are the primary screening methods. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Swede score in predicting high-grade lesions of the cervix among patients attending a colposcopy clinic. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was performed in a colposcopy clinic under the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at CMCH. All referral patients to the colposcopy clinic were the study population. Women aged between 25-65 years was the study subject. Results: Majority (47.5%) of the patient’s Swede score was 4 and 20.1of % of patients had scores of 5-6 and only 1.3% of patients had scores ≥7%. 63 (79%) patients had low grade/normal/ cervical intraepithelial lesion (CIN) 1, 16 (20%) patients had high grade/non-invasive cancer/CIN 2 and only 1 patient had high grade/suspected invasive cancer/CIN 3. A score of 6 had a specificity of 100% for CIN 2 with a sensitivity of 30% positive and negative predictive value (PPV=100%; NPV=90.9%). Lowering the score to 5 for predicting CIN 2 improved the sensitivity at the expense of specificity (sensitivity=60%; specificity=90%; PPV= 94%; NPV=46.2%).Conclusions: Swede scoring system is consistent and reproducible, has a simple structure, and thus contributes to preventing cervical cancer. Swede score of 6 or more has 100% specificity; this scoring method is a preferred method for the treatment of high-grade CIN.

Comparison of vitamin D (25OHD) status between fertile and infertile men

Background: Vitamin D (25OHD) deficiency has become a modern-day epidemic, being the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Many infertile men are experiencing low total sperm count or different semen abnormalities. The aim of this study was to compare serum vitamin D (25OHD) status among fertile and infertile men.Methods: This was an observational (cross sectional comparative) study and was conducted in the Department of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from April 2019 to March 2020. The sample size was 112 men where 56 participants were in fertile men group and 56 participants were infertile men group. Statistical analyses were carried out by using Windows based Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 23.0).Results: The predictability of vitamin D insufficiency was significant. Holding the effects of vitamin D deficiency constant, males with vitamin D insufficiency were 3.28 times more likely to be infertile than males with vitamin D sufficiency. Subgroup analysis of infertile men was done regarding semen parameters in different vitamin D status categories. There was statistically significant difference in semen volume and sperm concentration between infertile men of different vitamin D status but no significant difference in case of motility and morphology.Conclusions: There was no significant different of serum vitamin D (25OHD) between fertile and infertile men. Men with vitamin D insufficiency (≥20 ng/ml to <30 ng/ml) are more likely to be infertile than men with vitamin D sufficiency.

Women-focused development intervention reduces delays in accessing emergency obstetric care in urban slums in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recognizing the burden of maternal mortality in urban slums, in 2007 BRAC (formally known as Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) has established a woman-focused development intervention, Manoshi (the Bangla abbreviation of mother, neonate and child), in urban slums of Bangladesh. The intervention emphasizes strengthening the continuum of maternal, newborn and child care through community, delivery centre (DC) and timely referral of the obstetric complications to the emergency obstetric care (EmOC) facilities. This study aimed to assess whether Manoshi DCs reduces delays in accessing EmOC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This cross-sectional study was conducted during October 2008 to January 2009 in the slums of Dhaka city among 450 obstetric complicated cases referred either from DCs of Manoshi or from their home to the EmOC facilities. Trained female interviewers interviewed at their homestead with structured questionnaire. <it>Pearson's </it>chi-square test, <it>t</it>-test and Mann-Whitney test were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median time for making the decision to seek care was significantly longer among women who were referred from home than referred from DCs (9.7 hours vs. 5.0 hours, p < 0.001). The median time to reach a facility and to receive treatment was found to be similar in both groups. Time taken to decide to seek care was significantly shorter in the case of life-threatening complications among those who were referred from DC than home (0.9 hours vs.2.3 hours, p = 0.002). Financial assistance from Manoshi significantly reduced the first delay in accessing EmOC services for life-threatening complications referred from DC (p = 0.006). Reasons for first delay include fear of medical intervention, inability to judge maternal condition, traditional beliefs and financial constraints. Role of gender was found to be an important issue in decision making. First delay was significantly higher among elderly women, multiparity, non life-threatening complications and who were not involved in income-generating activities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Manoshi program reduces the first delay for life-threatening conditions but not non-life-threatening complications even though providing financial assistance. Programme should give more emphasis on raising awareness through couple/family-based education about maternal complications and dispel fear of clinical care to accelerate seeking EmOC.</p

Not Available

Not AvailablePresent study (XII Plan period) was taken up to enhance the Resilience skills of Academically backward children through Intervention & counseling programmes. The sample consisted of 150 children (6th – 10th class) from the operational villages (5) of Moinabad mandal, RR district. Rating scales developed by the unit (AICRP-CD, Hyderabad centre) were used to find out the Internal & External Resilience levels and Risk & Protective factors associated with Resilience. Based on the results, Intervention & Counselling sessions were conducted for a period of 10 months, using effective training methodologies for enhancing the resilience skills of the selected sample. The post test scores showed a positive impact, reflecting the effectiveness of the Intervention programme.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableA remedial learning programme can boost the learning proficiency in children who are academically poor. This study under taken the comprehend effect of remedial learning programme. atotal of 150 children were selected for the study.These programme employed the effective teaching approaches to the learning skills of selected students.the scores of students showed the positive influence after the implementation of the programme, providing its effectiveness.Not Availabl