Enhanced Parallel Hash Function Algorithm Based on 3C Construction (EPHFA-3C)

The hash function is a function that can convert data from variable size to fixed-size data that can be used in security of communication like, authentication, digital signature and integration. In this paper, a parallel, secure and fast hash function algorithm that is based on 3C construction is proposed. It is an enhancement for the MD construction. This enhancement makes the construction more resistant to the extension and multi-blocks attacks. The parallel structure of the algorithm improves the speed of hashing and reduces the number of operations. The simulation analysis such as hashes distribution, confusion and diffusion properties, and collision resistance are executed. Based on the results, our proposed hash algorithm is efficient, simple, and has strong security compared with some recent hash algorithms

Dynamic O-D demand estimation: Application of SPSA AD-PI method in conjunction with different assignment strategies

This paper examines the impact of applying dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) and quasi-dynamic traffic assignment (QDTA) models, which apply different route choice approaches (shortest paths based on current travel times, User Equilibrium: UE, and system optimum: SO), on the accuracy of the solution of the offline dynamic demand estimation problem. The evaluation scheme is based on the adoption of a bilevel approach, where the upper level consists of the adjustment of a starting demand using traffic measures and the lower level of the solution of the traffic network assignment problem. The SPSA AD-PI (Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation Asymmetric Design Polynomial Interpolation) is adopted as a solution algorithm. A comparative analysis is conducted on a test network and the results highlight the importance of route choicemodel and information for the stability and the quality of the offline dynamic demand estimations

Povidone-iodine versus normal saline solution in preoperative vaginal cleansing before office hysteroscopy: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Hysteroscopy is well-thought-out the gold standard for assessing the uterine cavity, and now can be done as an office process due to enhanced endoscopic advances with no need to in-patient admission. Objective of the present study was to compare the difference in the rate of postoperative vaginal irritation symptoms and postoperative infections after using povidone iodine (PI) and normal saline (NS) solution in vaginal cleaning before outpatient office hysteroscopy (OH).Methods: Women attended to the hospital for diagnostic OH were included for present study. Eligible women were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to two groups. Group I "PI group" women exposed to PI for vaginal cleansing before hysteroscopy, and group II "NS group” women exposed to the NS solution for vaginal cleansing. The primary outcome of the study was to compare the difference in the rate of postoperative vaginal irritation symptoms and postoperative infections in both groups.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 34.26±4.14 years for NS group compared to 35.22±4.01 years for PI group (p=0.652). The PI group reported higher rate of vaginal irritation than NS group with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.179). Both groups were similar in postoperative fever, urinary tract infection and vaginitis (p>0.05).Conclusions: This study concluded that preoperative vaginal disinfection at the time of OH with a NS solution is less frequently causing postoperative vaginal irritation symptoms. Additionally, it is as effective as the usual agent (PI) in preventing postoperative infections

Oral diclofenac potassium versus hyoscine-N-butyl bromide for pain relief during copper intrauterine device insertion: randomized clinical trial

Background: Present study was carried out to compare the analgesic effect of oral diclofenac potassium versus hyoscine-N-butyl bromide (HBB) for pain relief during copper intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.Methods: It was a a randomized clinical trial carried out at Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt. Parous women eligible for Copper IUD insertion were recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to diclofenac potassium or HBB. The participants were asked to take 2 tablets of the study medications 30 minutes before IUD insertion. The primary outcome was the participant's self-rated pain perception using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during IUD insertion. We considered a 1.5 cm difference in VAS scores between study groups as clinically significant.Results: One hundred eight women were enrolled (n=54 in each group). Diclofenac significantly has lower mean pain score during speculum placement (1.73 vs. 2.13) and tenaculum placement (1.85 vs. 2.3) than HBB with p<0.001. No statistical significant differences between both groups in other steps of IUD insertion. Additionally, the duration of IUD insertion was significantly lower in the diclofenac group (5.34±0.76 vs. 5.74±1.23 minutes, p=0.045). No women reported side effects in both groups.Conclusions: The use of oral diclofenac potassium 30 minutes prior to copper IUD insertion slightly reduce the insertional pain and duration than oral HBB with no adverse effects

Biopiracy <i>versus </i>one-world medicine – from colonial relicts to global collaborative concepts

Background: Practices of biopiracy to use genetic resources and indigenous knowledge by Western companies without benefit-sharing of those, who generated the traditional knowledge, can be understood as form of neocolonialism.Hypothesis: : The One-World Medicine concept attempts to merge the best of traditional medicine from developing countries and conventional Western medicine for the sake of patients around the globe.Study design: Based on literature searches in several databases, a concept paper has been written. Legislative initiatives of the United Nations culminated in the Nagoya protocol aim to protect traditional knowledge and regulate benefit-sharing with indigenous communities. The European community adopted the Nagoya protocol, and the corresponding regulations will be implemented into national legislation among the member states. Despite pleasing progress, infrastructural problems of the health care systems in developing countries still remain. Current approaches to secure primary health care offer only fragmentary solutions at best. Conventional medicine from industrialized countries cannot be afforded by the impoverished population in the Third World. Confronted with exploding costs, even health systems in Western countries are endangered to burst. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is popular among the general public in industrialized countries, although the efficacy is not sufficiently proven according to the standards of evidence-based medicine. CAM is often available without prescription as over-the-counter products with non-calculated risks concerning erroneous self-medication and safety/toxicity issues. The concept of integrative medicine attempts to combine holistic CAM approaches with evidence-based principles of conventional medicine.Conclusion: To realize the concept of One-World Medicine, a number of standards have to be set to assure safety, efficacy and applicability of traditional medicine, e.g. sustainable production and quality control of herbal products, performance of placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trials, phytovigilance, as well as education of health professionals and patients

Development of DFSI using Fuzzy Logic to Analyze Risk Levels of Driving Activity

The objective of this study is to develop a Driving Fatigue Strain Index using fuzzy logic to analyze the risk levels of driving activity among road users. Driving fatigue is always related to the driving activity and has been identified as one of the vital contributors to the road accidents and fatalities in Malaysia. Therefore, the present paper introduces the use of fuzzy logic for the development of strain index to provide the systematic analysis and propose an appropriate solution in minimizing the number of road accidents and fatalities. The development of strain index is based on the six risk factors associated with driving fatigue; muscle activity, heart rate, hand grip pressure force, seat pressure distribution, whole-body vibration, and driving duration. The data is collected for all the risk factors and consequently, the three conditions or risk levels are defined as “safe”, “slightly unsafe”, and “unsafe”. A membership function is defined for each fuzzy conditions. IF-THEN rules were used to define the input and output variables which correspond to physical measures. This index is a reliable advisory tool for providing analysis and solutions to driving fatigue problem, which constitutes the first effort toward the minimization of road accidents and fatalities

Synthesis and Biocidal Activity of Some Naphthalene-Based Cationic Surfactants

In this study, different cationic surfactants were prepared by reacting dodecyl bromide with tertiary amines to produce a series of quaternary ammonium salts that were converted subsequently to stannous and cobalt cationic complexes via complexing them with stannous (II) or cobalt (II) ions. Surface properties such as surface- and interfacial-tension, and the emulsifying power of these surfactants were investigated. The surface parameters including critical micelle concentration, maximum surface excess, minimum surface area, tension lowering efficiency and effectiveness were studied. The free energy of micellization and adsorption were calculated. Antimicrobial activity was determined via the inhibition zone diameter of the prepared compounds, which was measured against six strains of a representative group of microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity of some of the prepared surfactants against sulfate reducing bacteria was determined by the dilution method. FTIR spectra, elemental analysis and a H1 NMR spectrum were examined to confirm compound structure and purity. The results obtained indicate that these compounds have good surface properties and good biocidal effect on broad spectrum of micro organisms

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially