Efficient matrix key homomorphic encryption of medical images

A sure way of providing privacy to sensitive images is to encrypt them, especially when they are stored in a public cloud server. Homomorphic encryption enables arithmetic operations over encrypted data without access to the secret key. This facility can be well harnessed for secure outsourced image processing by exploiting the available computational capabilities of modern cloud servers. This paper presents a new homomorphic image encryption scheme that uses integer matrix keys. The homomorphic operations are carried out in the finite field Zp to avail the advantages of integer arithmetic and to limit the cipher text sizes to reasonable levels. Our method does not use any error vector as in learning with errors (LWE) to improve the security

Nitric oxide sensing in plants is mediated by proteolytic control of group VII ERF transcription factors

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling compound in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In plants, NO regulates critical developmental transitions and stress responses. Here, we identify a mechanism for NO sensing that coordinates responses throughout development based on targeted degradation of plant-specific transcriptional regulators, the group VII ethylene response factors (ERFs). We show that the N-end rule pathway of targeted proteolysis targets these proteins for destruction in the presence of NO, and we establish them as critical regulators of diverse NO-regulated processes, including seed germination, stomatal closure, and hypocotyl elongation. Furthermore, we define the molecular mechanism for NO control of germination and crosstalk with abscisic acid (ABA) signaling through ERF-regulated expression of ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5). Our work demonstrates how NO sensing is integrated across multiple physiological processes by direct modulation of transcription factor stability and identifies group VII ERFs as central hubs for the perception of gaseous signals in plants

GREEN SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (L.) DUNAL

The metal nanoparticle synthesis is highly explored the field of nanotechnology. The biological methods seem to be more effective because of slowreduction rate and polydispersity of the final products. The main aim of this study is too the rapid and simplistic synthesis of silver nanoparticlesby Withania somnifera Linn. at room temperature. The exposure of reaction mixtures containing silver nitrate and dried leaf powder of W. somniferaresulted in reduction of metal ions within 5 minutes. The extracellular synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible,infrared (IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, zeta potential, Fourier transform IR, and scanning electron microscopy. The antibacterial andantifungal studies showed significant activity as compared to their respective standards. From the results, W. somnifera sliver nanoparticle has attainedthe maximum antimicrobial against clinical pathogens and also seen very good stability of nanoparticle throughput processing. As we concluded, thistype of naturally synthesized sliver nanoparticle could be a better green revolution in medicinal chemistry.Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Silver nanoparticles, Withania somnifera

Design and Implementation of Triple DES Encryption Scheme

The speed of exhaustive key searches against DES after 1990 began to cause discomfort amongst users of DES. However, users did not want to replace DES as it takes an enormous amount of time and money to change encryption algorithms that are widely adopted and embedded in large security architectures. The DES algorithm was replaced by the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The pragmatic approach was not to abandon the DES completely, but to change the manner in which DES is used. DES is often used in conjunction with Triple DES. It derives from single DES but the technique is used in triplicate and involves three sub keys and key padding when necessary, such as instances where the keys must be increased to 64 bits in length. Known for its compatibility and flexibility, software can easily be converted for Triple DES inclusion. Therefore, it may not be nearly as obsolete as deemed by NIST. This led to the modified schemes of Triple DES (sometimes known as 3DES).3DES is a way to reuse DES implementations, by chaining three instances of DES with different keys. 3DES is believed to still be secure because it requires 2^112 brute-force operations which is not achievable with foreseeable technology. While AES is a totally new encryption that uses the substitution-permutation network, 3DES is just an adaptation to the older DES encryption that relied on the balanced Feistel network. But since it is applied three times, the implementer can choose to have 3 discrete 56 bit keys, or 2identical and 1 discrete, or even three identical keys. This means that 3DES can have encryption key lengths of 168, 112, or 56 bit encryption key lengths respectively. But due to certain vulnerabilities when reapplying the same encryption thrice, it leads to slower performance. In this paper we present a pipelined implementation in VHDL, in Electronic Code Book (EBC) mode, of this commonly used Cryptography scheme with aim to improve performance. We achieve a 48-stage pipeline depth by implementing a TDES key buffer and right rotations in the DES decryption key scheduler. We design and verify our implementation using ModelSim SE 6.3f and Xilinx ISE 8.1i. We gather cost and throughput information from the synthesis and Timing results and compare the performance of our design to common implementations presented in other literatures

Motivational factors towards fast-food joint selection in under-developed country setting: A Partial Least Square and Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) approach

The abrupt rise in the fast food business the world over calls for research attention to the phenomenon, especially, in underdeveloped and developing economies. Research is scanty regarding the phenomenon; especially what motivates patrons to select fast food joints in under developed economies such as Ghana. The study sought to ascertain the motivational factors that actuate (or stimulate) consumers' intent to select a fast-food joint in an under-developed country setting, particularly, in Ghana, a sub-Sahara African region. Additionally, the partial goal of this survey is to examine the mediating role of convenience (CONV), and taste and preference (TASPRE) given the indirect effect of traditional advertising communication medium (ACM); Radio/Tv and word-of-mouth. Using a quantitative research approach, a structured survey questionnaire was used to intercept buyers of fast-food at vantage points in the Cape Coast metropolis in the Central region of Ghana. A non-randomized sampling technique, precisely, the convenience sampling, was adopted to consider popular fast-food joints that aided the researchers to intercept customers/buyers for the study. Results from the application of partial least square and structural equation modelling (PL-SEM) of 305 valid responses revealed that the mediation (indirect) analysis supported all the mediate-hypotheses. The research implications and future study directions are discussed in the concluding part of the paper.Internal Grant Agency of FaME through Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic [IGA/FaME/2019/008

Exploration of the effect of botanicals on controlling tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis antonii Signoret) in the cashew ecosystem

The tea mosquito bug (TMB) Helopeltis antonii Signoret poses a significant threat to cashew plantations, causing substantial damage to the trees and affecting crop productivity. Botanicals have been examined for their effectiveness against tea mosquito bugs (TMB) in cashew plantations that impose damage on cashew trees. A field experiment was conducted at the Regional Research Station, Vridhachalam, Tamil Nadu, to evaluate the effectiveness of various botanical pesticides against TMB. The study included seven treatments using different botanicals and one untreated control. Applications were made at critical growth stages, namely flushing, flowering and nut formation, at fortnightly intervals, ensuring the pest population remained below the economic threshold level (ETL). Five spray rounds were administered, with a maximum of 10 L of spray suspension applied per tree for each treatment. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in TMB incidence in plots treated with botanical pesticides. Fifteen days after the third, fourth and fifth sprays, TMB incidence was completely absent in treated plots, whereas the untreated control recorded a damage score of 3.25. Furthermore, a marked decline in fresh TMB infestations was observed within seven days following each spray application. Among the treatments, a mixture of leaf extracts from adathoda (Adathoda vasica), datura (Datura metel), vitex (Vitex negundo), calotropis (Calotropis gigantea) and neem (Azadirachta indica) showed the highest efficacy, reducing TMB incidence to damage scales of 0.660 and 0.550. Similarly, Pongamia oil (5 % concentration) exhibited substantial effectiveness, reducing TMB incidence to scales of 0.845 and 0.645. These findings highlight the potential of botanical pesticides as eco–friendly and effective alternatives for managing TMB in cashew plantations

Molybdenum status and critical limit in the soil for green gram (Vigna radiata) growing in Madurai and Sivagangai districts of Tamil Nadu, India

A survey was undertaken during 2008 to determine molybdenum (Mo) status of soils and to establish critical limits in soils of Madurai and Sivagangai districts of Tamil Nadu. A total of 202 surface soil samples were collected from 16 soil series of the study areas based on their percent coverage. The samples were analyzed for extractable or available Mo. Extractable Mo varied from 0.028 to 0.661 mg kg−1 and 0.035 to 0.961 mg kg−1 at Madurai and Sivagangai districts, respectively. Based on the results of a pot culture experiment, the critical limit of available Mo was determined to be 0.043 mg kg−1 for green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] (Var; CO 6) in both the districts. Based on this critical limit, we classified the soils into three categories: (1) low: 0.082 mg kg−1. Green gram responded highly to Mo application in soils below the critical limit whereas soils with Mo greater than 0.082 mg kg−1 did not respond. Among rates of Mo application, 0.075 mg kg−1 showed better yield than others. Overall, 3–41% and 7–46% of total area in Madurai and Sivagangai districts were in the low to medium Mo status, respectively. The application of 0.075 mg of Mo kg−1 or 0.4 kg ha−1 as sodium molybdate was sufficient to optimize green gram yield in the major soil series of the districts. These results will be useful in decision-making to apply Mo for improving green gram yields in the two districts studied

Multi-year analysis of the global preclinical antibacterial pipeline: trends and gaps

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat estimated to have caused the deaths of 1.27 million people in 2019, which is more than HIV/AIDS and malaria deaths combined. AMR also has significant consequences on the global economy. If not properly addressed, AMR could immensely impact the world's economy, further increasing the poverty burden in low- and middle-income countries. To mitigate the risk of a post-antibiotic society, where the ability to effectively treat common bacterial infections is being severely threatened, it is necessary to establish a continuous supply of new and novel antibacterial medicines. However, there are gaps in the current pipeline that will prove difficult to address, given the time required to develop new agents. To understand the status of upstream antibiotic development and the challenges faced by drug developers in the early development stage, the World Health Organization has regularly assessed the preclinical and clinical antibacterial development pipeline. The review identifies potential new classes of antibiotics or novel mechanisms of action that can better address resistant bacterial strains. This proactive approach is necessary to stay ahead of evolving resistance patterns and to support the availability of effective treatment options. This review examines the trends in preclinical development and attempts to identify gaps and potential opportunities to overcome the numerous hurdles in the early stages of the antibacterial research and development space

Effect of yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® on faecal excretion of secretory immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin 2 in healthy adult volunteers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Probiotics are used to provide health benefits. The present study tested the effect of a probiotic yoghurt on faecal output of beta-defensin and immunoglobulin A in a group of young healthy women eating a defined diet.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>26 women aged 18-21 (median 19) years residing in a hostel were given 200 ml normal yoghurt every day for a week, followed by probiotic yoghurt containing <it>Bifidobacterium lactis </it>Bb12^®(10⁹in 200 ml) for three weeks, followed again by normal yoghurt for four weeks. Stool samples were collected at 0, 4 and 8 weeks and assayed for immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin-2 by ELISA. All participants tolerated both normal and probiotic yoghurt well. Human beta-defensin-2 levels in faeces were not altered during the course of the study. On the other hand, compared to the basal sample, faecal IgA increased during probiotic feeding (P = 0.0184) and returned to normal after cessation of probiotic yoghurt intake.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Bifidobacterium lactis </it>Bb12^®increased secretory IgA output in faeces. This property may explain the ability of probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections.</p