The road to the blockchain technology: Concept and types

As the Bitcoin keeps increasing in value compared to other cryptocurrencies, more attention has been given to Blockchain Technology (BT) which is the infrastructure behind the Bitcoin, especially on its role in addressing the problems of the classical centralized system. As a digital currency, Bitcoin is dependent on the decentralized cryptographic tools and peer-to-peer system. The digital currency implements a distributed ledger using Blockchain when verifying any type of transaction. In this paper, the aim is to describe how digital currency networks such as Bitcoin provides a “trust-less” platform for users to embark on money transfers without necessarily depending on any central trusted establishments such as payment services or financial institutions. Furthermore, this work comprehensively overviewed the basic principle that underly BT, such as transaction, consensus algorithms, and hashing. This study also provided a novel classification for blockchain types according to their system architecture and consensus strategy. For each type, our contribution was provided with an example which clearly describes the blockchain features and the transaction steps. Our classification intended to help researchers understand and choose the blockchain for their application. The paper ends with the discussion of the differences between each typ

The effect of serum and follicular fluid vitamin D on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome

Vitamin D is a cholesterol derived, fat soluble, steroid substance present in the body. It plays an important role in the female reproductive system and regulating its functions. It is believed that vitamin D improves the endometrial thickness. The relationship between the level of vitamin D and fertilization, embryo quality and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome remains controversial till now. The aim of the study to assess the relation of vitamin D levels in serum and follicular fluid with Intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome. Eighty-eight women were enrolled in this study. They were classified according to the cause of infertility into case group with female factor and control group with male factor. All women were undergoing Intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedure. Serum and follicular fluid vitamin D levels were measured on the day of oocyte retrieval. It was found that no significant differences in either serum or follicular fluid level of vitamin D between the case and control groups and higher serum and follicular fluid levels of vitamin D are associated with better pregnancy rates after Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Further studies on vitamin D in male are required to prove its role in the Intracytoplasmic sperm injection. The present study concluded that no significant differences in either serum or follicular fluid level of vitamin D between the case and control groups and higher serum and follicular fluid levels of vitamin D are associated with better pregnancy rates after Intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Reactive protocols for unified user profiling for anomaly detection in mobile Ad Hoc networks

The Next Generation mobile network expected to be fully automated to meet the growing need for data rates and quality in communication. These prodigious demands have also increased the amount of data being handled in these wireless networks. The cellular networks can leverage vital data about the user and the network conditions providing all-inclusive visibility and intelligence in communication. Emerging analytic technologies such as big data and neural networks have been used to unearth vital insight from network traffic to assist intelligent models in routing packets. Reactive protocols are an emerging model in the intelligent routing of traffic in ad-hoc networks. In this paper, we first utilize the reactive protocols to route traffic in a wireless network while analyzing anomalous behavior. In the case of anomaly detection in wireless communication, combined performance indicators to identify outliers. The detected outliers been compared with the ground data and routes created using the reactive protocols. The combination of reactive protocols and the key performance indicators in network performance uncovered anomalies leading to segregation of these traffic in routing. From the results, it is evident that an abrupt surge in the traffic indicated an anomaly and identify the areas of interest in a network especially for resource and path allocation and fault avoidance. A MATLAB GUI was used to simulate the reactive protocols for routing of traffic and generation of data sets that analyze in Microsoft Excel to characterize the key performance indicators of the network

Enhancement of apixaban's solubility and dissolution rate by inclusion complex (β-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl β-cyclo¬dextrin) and computational calculation of their inclusion complexes

Background and Purpose: Apixaban (AP) is a factor X inhibitor, an orally active drug that inhibits blood coagulation for better prevention of venous thromboembolism. It has poor solubility, dissolution rate and low bioavailability. The aim of this study was to improve the aqueous solubility and dissolution rate of oral AP as a step to enhance its bioavailability by preparing it as an inclusion complex with beta- and hydroxy propyl beta-cyclodextrin. Experimental Approach: A simple, rapid method of analysis of AP was developed using ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV) and partially validated in terms of linearity, precision and accuracy, recovery, and robustness. AP was prepared as a complex with beta cyclodextrin (βCD) and hydroxy propyl beta cyclodextrin (HPβCD) in weight ratios 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 by kneading, solvent evaporation and spray drying methods and characterized by Fourier transfer infra-red (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and percent drug content in each of the prepared complex. Using the computer simulation, the interactions of AP with βCD and HPβCD were investigated. Key Results: The phase solubility study showed that the solubility of AP was greatly enhanced from 54×10-3 mmol /L to 66 mmol/L using HPβCD with acceptable stability constant. Computer docking supports the formation of a stable 1:1 complex between AP and CD’s. The dissolution test results showed that the complex gave a significantly higher percentage of drug release (95%) over one hour compared to the free AP (60%) (p<0.05). Conclusion: AP- HPβCD complex in the ratio of 1:2 (w/w) can significantly improve the solubility and in vitro dissolution rate of AP

Formulation and evaluation of retinyl palmitate and vitamin E nanoemulsion for skin care

Background: Improving and maintaining the skin integrity and health are the most essential targets in long-term care. The aim of this study is to formulate a serum of retinyl palmitate (RP) and vitamin E (VE) as nanoemulsion (NE) for achieving healthy skin. Methods: The solubility of RP and VE was studied in different oils. The NEs were prepared using oil, water, and different surfactant-co-surfactant mixtures, and then the medicated nanoemulsion was prepared by addition of 0.5% RP and VE to the oil phase, and vitamin C as an antioxidant to the aqueous phase with different preservatives. The prepared NE was characterized in terms of particle size, charge, rheology, diffusion, and irritation to the skin. Results and conclusion: The data showed that the highest solubility of both RP and VE was in safflower oil. Tween 20, Ceteareth 20 with ethanol, PEG 200, and cremophor RH40. This combination was able to produce NE with good integrity and acceptable particle size. The prepared formulations gave particle size of 60–70 nm and showed Newtonian flow. Irritation tests on rats showed that the formula was safe to be applied on the skin with no signs of irritation up to 72 hours. A preliminary stability study at room temperature showed good stability up to 6 weeks. In conclusion, RP and VE could be formulated successfully as NE with good stability and physical characteristics