TRANSPORT LAYER SECURITY PATH TRACER

Today, most of the traffic that traverses the Internet is encrypted. Users (e.g., clients) and servers are able to exchange data securely using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol. However, there will likely be one or more proxies in the path between a client and a server and those proxies are able to change some of the security parameters based on, for example, a network security policy. As a result, a client may not know exactly what is happening in the middle. To address these types of challenges, techniques are presented herein that support an extension to the handshake protocol that can request a ‘trace’ feature along a network path. All of the different TLS entities in the network can recognize the extension and add any changes that they are making to the upstream proposal. Advantages of the techniques presented herein include, among other things, helping to troubleshoot the TLS policy end-to-end

The structure of an LIM-only protein 4 (LMO4) and deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 (DEAF1) complex reveals a common mode of binding to LMO4

LIM-domain only protein 4 (LMO4) is a widely expressed protein with important roles in embryonic development and breast cancer. It has been reported to bind many partners, including the transcription factor Deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 (DEAF1), with which LMO4 shares many biological parallels. We used yeast two-hybrid assays to show that DEAF1 binds both LIM domains of LMO4 and that DEAF1 binds the same face on LMO4 as two other LMO4-binding partners, namely LIM domain binding protein 1 (LDB1) and C-terminal binding protein interacting protein (CtIP/RBBP8). Mutagenic screening analysed by the same method, indicates that the key residues in the interaction lie in LMO4LIM2 and the N-terminal half of the LMO4-binding domain in DEAF1. We generated a stable LMO4LIM2-DEAF1 complex and determined the solution structure of that complex. Although the LMO4-binding domain from DEAF1 is intrinsically disordered, it becomes structured on binding. The structure confirms that LDB1, CtIP and DEAF1 all bind to the same face on LMO4. LMO4 appears to form a hub in protein-protein interaction networks, linking numerous pathways within cells. Competitive binding for LMO4 therefore most likely provides a level of regulation between those different pathways.SJ was funded by an Australian Postgraduate Award (education.gov.au/australian-postgraduate-awards). JPM and JMM were awarded Senior Research Fellowships from the Australian National and Medical Research Council (www.nhmrc.gov.au). This project was funded by an Australian Research Council (www. arc.gov.au) Discovery Project Grant (DP110104332) to JMM and LC

Morbidity profile of migrant workers attending health camps in Bangalore urban during the Covid-19 pandemic

Introduction: Global pandemic of COVID-19 resulted in a nationwide lockdown which affected the migrants in terms of healthcare service accessibility. This led to an increase in the prevalence of various morbidity. The objective of this study was to assess the morbidity profile of camp attendees in Bangalore urban conducted during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Methods: During the pandemic lockdown, health camps were conducted in selected urban underprivileged areas of Bangalore city targeting the migrant workers and these records were reviewed and relevant data were analyzed. Variables included age, gender, residential address, occupation, and morbidity. Results: Among the 484 participants who had attended the medical camp, the youngest patient was 1 year old and the oldest was 75 years with a median age of 27 years (IQR: 20 – 35). The majority of the camp attendees were males (78%) and migrants (77%). Common morbidities noted were hypertension (5%) followed by musculoskeletal pain (4%). The other illnesses were anemia (3%), gastritis (2.5%), pre-diabetes (1.7%) and combined diabetes and hypertension (1.5%). There was no significant relationship between migrant status and the presence of any morbidity. Conclusion: Hypertension and musculoskeletal pain are the most common morbidity among camp attendees

Dissolved selenium(VI) removal by zero-valent iron under oxic conditions: Influence of sulfate and nitrate

NSERC: RGPIN-2014-06589Peer ReviewedDissolved Se(VI) removal by three commercially-available zero-valent irons (ZVIs) was examined in oxic batch experiments under circumneutral pH conditions in the presence and absence of NO3- and SO42-. Environmentally relevant Se(VI) (1 mg/L), NO3- ([NO3-N] = 15 mg/L) and SO42- (1800 mg/L) were employed to simulate mining-impacted waters. Ninety percent Se(VI) removal was achieved within 4 to 8 h in the absence of SO42- and NO3-. Similar Se(VI) removal was observed after 10 to 32 h in the presence of NO3-. Dissolved Se(VI) removal rates exhibited the greatest decrease in the presence of SO42-; 90% Se(VI) removal was measured after 50 to 191 h for SO42- and after 150 to 194 h for SO42- plus NO3- depending on the ZVI tested. Despite differences in removal rates among batches and ZVI materials, Se(VI) removal consistently followed first-order reaction kinetics. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses of reacted solids showed that Fe(0) present in ZVI undergoes oxidation to magnetite [Fe3O4], wüstite [FeO], lepidocrocite [γ-FeOOH], and goethite [α-FeOOH] over time. X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy indicated that Se(VI) was reduced to Se(IV) and Se(0) during removal. These results demonstrate that ZVI can be effectively used control Se(VI) concentrations in mining impacted waters

Muon-Spin Rotation Measurements of an Unusual Vortex-Glass Phase in the Layered Superconductor Bi2.15Sr1.85CaCu2O8+δ

Muon-spin rotation measurements, performed on the mixed state of the classic anisotropic superconductor Bi2.15Sr1.85CaCu2O8+δ, obtain quantities directly related to two- and three-body correlations of vortices in space. A novel phase diagram emerges from such local probe measurements of the bulk, revealing an unusual glassy state at intermediate fields which appears to freeze continuously from the equilibrium vortex liquid but differs both from the lattice and the conventional high-field vortex glass state in its structure.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Hydrographic, seasonal diversity, distribution and abundance of phytoplankton in coastal waters off Cochin - south-eastern Arabian Sea

319-326Phytoplanktons are the key primary producers in the ocean; their growth mainly depends on various physico-chemical parameters. In this study, a total of 73 species of phytoplanktons from 48 genera were identified from Cochin coastal waters. Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community followed by dinoflagellates. Asterionellopsis glacialis, Chaetoceros decipiens and Chaetoceros curvisetum were the major diatoms noticed during the study period. The results revealed relatively high species diversity in the pre-monsoon season when compared to monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The hierarchical multidimensional scaling of phytoplankton communities using PRIMER 6 revealed maximum similarity between the species from stations 1 and 2 during monsoon season. The canonical correspondence analysis was done using PAST version 2.17c. The results showed that post-monsoon stations were characterized by high dissolved oxygen, low temperature, phosphate, ammonia and silicate. Phytoplanktons, such as Rhizosolenia sp., Thalasionema sp., Navicula sp. were found to be strongly linked to these parameters. A bloom of Skeletonema costatum was also observed during the study period

Assessment of medication adherence in Helicobacter pylori positive patients on standard triple therapy: a prospective study

Background: In the current study patient compliance to the standard triple therapy were assessed. The objective behind this research was to assess the patient medication adherence to the standard triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori infection.Methods: A prospective study was carried out for a period of 1 year and samples were taken from the gastroenterology department. Patient who was RUT (rapid urease test) positive by endoscopy were considered as H. pylori infected and they were prescribed with standard triple therapy. This regimen involves amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) twice a day for 14 days. Adherence to this triple therapy was assessed during the study. Medication adherence assessed using Morisky, Green and Levine (MGL) adherence scale. MGL adherence questionnaire was given to patients during first week and second week of therapy. The patients will be counselled regarding the drug administration, drug related problems and the infection. They were also provided with written instructions in leaflets. 88 patients were analyzed.Results: In this study, 84 patients had a good adherence 95.5%; but other 4.5% didn't fully comply with the physician's order. After the first week of standard triple therapy, adherence was increased to a mean score from 2.193±0.1301 to 3.5227±0.0704 in the second week. The medication adherence score significantly increased along with patient counselling.Conclusions: Medication adherence was improved in the 14 days course along with patient education helped to comply with the standard triple therapy

Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Using R

Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has become a standard approach for analyzing complex inter-relationships between observed and latent variables. Researchers appreciate the many advantages of PLS-SEM such as the possibility to estimate very complex models and the method’s flexibility in terms of data requirements and measurement specification. This practical open access guide provides a step-by-step treatment of the major choices in analyzing PLS path models using R, a free software environment for statistical computing, which runs on Windows, macOS, and UNIX computer platforms. Adopting the R software’s SEMinR package, which brings a friendly syntax to creating and estimating structural equation models, each chapter offers a concise overview of relevant topics and metrics, followed by an in-depth description of a case study. Simple instructions give readers the “how-tos” of using SEMinR to obtain solutions and document their results. Rules of thumb in every chapter provide guidance on best practices in the application and interpretation of PLS-SEM

Perceptions about caesarean section among women and health care providers: a qualitative study in a rural maternity hospital in Karnataka, India

Background: Caesarean section is life-saving, but rising rates are a cause for concern. Perceptions surrounding caesarean delivery may play a significant role in the shared-decision making process. Objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of caesarean section among antenatal, postnatal women and healthcare providers in a rural maternity hospital in Ramanagara district, Karnataka.Methods: Qualitative research methodology was adopted to explore perceptions regarding preferred birthing mode, caesarean and its perceived complications. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with antenatal and postnatal women, their caregivers and health care providers. Inductive coding approach and thematic framework analysis was done.Results: Five major themes emerged regarding perceptions of caesarean section among women in a rural area of Karnataka: understanding, fears, decision making, after-care and prevention. Women had a strong preference for normal vaginal birth, but willing to accept doctor’s decision for caesarean as they believed that it would protect the life of unborn child. Women perceived that caesarean was profitable to the hospital. Common mentioned side effects following caesarean were backache and pain at the surgical site.Conclusions: The understanding regarding caesarean section was adequate. Women had fears linked to caesarean such as pain, inability to work, weight gain, prolonged recovery and caesarean deliveries in subsequent pregnancies. Husbands and other family members as well as the doctors were the important decision makers, while the women themselves had little say in the matter. Obstetricians need to focus on alleviating concerns among pregnant women and their family members regarding caesarean section