Blockchain inspired secure and reliable data exchange architecture for cyber-physical healthcare system 4.0

A cyber-physical system is considered to be a collection of strongly coupled communication systems and devices that poses numerous security trials in various industrial applications including healthcare. The security and privacy of patient data is still a big concern because healthcare data is sensitive and valuable, and it is most targeted over the internet. Moreover, from the industrial perspective, the cyber-physical system plays a crucial role in the exchange of data remotely using sensor nodes in distributed environments. In the healthcare industry, Blockchain technology offers a promising solution to resolve most securities-related issues due to its decentralized, immutability, and transparency properties. In this paper, a blockchain-inspired secure and reliable data exchange architecture is proposed in the cyber-physical healthcare industry 4.0. The proposed system uses the BigchainDB, Tendermint, Inter-Planetary-File-System (IPFS), MongoDB, and AES encryption algorithms to improve Healthcare 4.0. Furthermore, blockchain-enabled secure healthcare architecture for accessing and managing the records between Doctors and Patients is introduced. The development of a blockchain-based Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) exchange system is purely patient-centric, which means the entire control of data is in the owner's hand which is backed by blockchain for security and privacy. Our experimental results reveal that the proposed architecture is robust to handle more security attacks and can recover the data if 2/3 of nodes are failed. The proposed model is patient-centric, and control of data is in the patient's hand to enhance security and privacy, even system administrators can't access data without user permission

Multicopy Crystallographic & Biophysical Analyses of the N-terminal Domain of NBCe1-A: Illumination of the Human R298S Mutation

Background: NBCe1-A membrane-embedded macromolecules cotransport sodium and bicarbonate ions across the bilayers that serve to maintain acid-base homeostasis throughout the body. Defects are linked to a number of disorders, including proximal renal tubule acidosis, mental retardation, dental defects, and cataracts. Previously, we demonstrated the N-terminal domain of NBCe1-A (Nt) is in pH-sensitive monomer-dimer equilibrium. At neutral pH, bicarbonate ions bind the Nt, stabilizing dimerization and intermolecular self-associations of dimers. Methods: We determine and analyze the X-ray crystal structure of the Nt as a dimer at 2.4-A resolution using molecular-replacement methods, and a multicopy crystallographic structure of the monomer using 5 atomic models and strict 4-fold NCS constraints in refinement procedures. We measure the pH-sensitivity of a truncated Nt mutant by light-scattering techniques, and bicarbonate, bisulfite, mutant self-association bindings by surface plasmon resonance techniques. Results: The structures reveal that R298 implicated in the disorders is part of a putative conduit that transverses the Nt. The conduit opens to the transmembrane domain (TMD) on one end and an apparent foyer entrance on the opposite end. The naturally occurring mutation R298S disrupts an electrostatic pocket within the conduit that disables substrate binding. We also report similar conducts in family member AE1 (Band 3) when exploring its crystal structure. Further, we identify by biophysical analyses on a truncated Nt that the autoregulatory domain (ARD) at the N-terminus of the Nt is responsible for self-associations. Conclusions: The Nt responds to changes in pH or bicarbonate fluctuations. In proximal tubule cells, we propose a model where the ARD is a gate for the foyer. When self-associated, the foyer entrance is accessible, allowing substrate entry into the conduit. During acid loads, the gates close entry into the foyer, preventing bicarbonate from leaving the cell. The R298S defect similarly prevents bicarbonate ions from being transported to blood, giving rise to metabolic acidosis that results from the renal tubule acidosis

Effective Selection Criteria for Predicting Thermotolerance in Wheat under Field Conditions

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental area of the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during Rabi season. Five Wheat cultivars (PBW-343, WH-542, PBW-502, PBW-509 and PBW-3765) sown on six dates of sowing starting from 31st October at weekly intervals up to 5th December to find suitable thermotolerance traits and genotypes. Amongst eleven traits recorded at different growth stages showed that the largest variability was observed in crop growth rate (CGR), Leaf area index (LAI) grain spike weight ratio (GSPWR), spike growth duration (SGD), cumulative growing degree days (GDD) accumulated during vegetative and reproductive phenophases and grain attributes and grain yield at maturity. The highest grain yield was recorded in cultivars PBW-343, WH-542 and PBW-502. The maximum grain yield was correlated with longer filling duration, higher crop growth rate and grain spike weight ratio at anthesis phase. The results revealed that the cumulative growing degree-days (GDD) accumulated more during the reproductive phases as compared with the vegetative phases of wheat cultivars. The GDD is the effective selection criteria for screening thermotolerance in wheat cultivars

A comparative study of the relationship between the recovery of movement and the anatomical alignment in fractures around the elbow

Background: The injury around the elbow joint is a common condition in any age group, especially in children as a result of fall, during the course of a child's normal play. The aim of the present study was to study the relationship between the recovery of movements and the anatomical alignment in fractures around the elbow.Methods: In the present study, 110 cases of fractures around elbow were included. The treatment with conservative or operative procedure depends on the surgeon concerned and his priorities. Sixty-six cases were treated conservatively, and 56 cases required operative intervention. At the time of follow up examination, cases were assessed as to the anatomical and functional point of view according to Flynn's criteria. We evaluated the reduction as per alignment in anteroposterior axis, lateral axis, and angulation. The patients were followed up for over 24 months.Results: Patients who had good anatomical alignment (grade A) showed 96.87% satisfactory result as compared to the patient who had fair anatomical alignment (91.66%) and poor anatomical alignment (54.54%). Thus in grade A where alignment was up to 76 points, we had satisfactory result in 96.87% patients, where as in grade C where alignment was less than 50 points, the result in 45.5% of patients was poor.Conclusions: Patients who had good anatomical alignment achieved, showed higher recovery of movement compared to the patient who had fair anatomical alignment and poor anatomical alignment

Stabilisation of diaphyseal fractures of both bones forearm with limited contact dynamic compression or locked compression plate: comparison of clinical outcomes

Background: The inception of Locking Compression Plate (LCP) has revolutionized fracture management. With their dramatic success for articular fractures, there is a speculation that they might be more appropriate for diaphyseal fractures as well.Methods: In this randomized prospective cohort study, 56 patients with diaphyseal fractures involving both bones of forearm were segregated into two groups based on internal fixation with Limited contact dynamic compression plate (LC-DCP)(n=28) or with Locking compression plate (LCP)(n=26). Clinical and radiological parameters were studied and functional evaluation was done with Disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score.Results: Andersons’ criteria was employed to categorize the functional results. The mean duration of surgery and time to union were discovered to be less in favor of LCP group although statistically insignificant. No significant differences in two groups with respect to the functional evaluation (range of movement, Andersons’ criteria and DASH score) and complications could be discerned. No incidence of refracture or synostosis was encountered in any of the group. Conclusions: Although LCP is an effective treatment alternative and may have a subtle edge over LC-DCP in the management of these fractures, their supremacy could not be certified. We deduce that surgical planning and expertise rather than the choice of implant are more pivotal for outstanding results

Evaluation of clinical results and complications of internal fixation of intertrochanteric femur fracture with proximal femoral nail antirotation

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the theoretical advantages of the proximal femoral nail antirotation in cases of intertrochanteric fractures and also whether it actually alters the eventual functional outcome of the patient.Methods: The present study includes a total 30 patients with intertrochanteric femur fractures managed with proximal femoral nail antirotation between December 2014 to November 2016. In all patients similar standard physical rehabilitation therapy were followed. All complications including intra and postoperative were assessed and recorded. The patients were followed up for over 24 months. Functional outcome was assessed using the Harris hip score.Results: All of 30 cases of intertrochanteric fracture got united with good anatomical position and average time of fracture union was 14 weeks. Postoperative complications included 2 degree varus deformity (n=1, 3%), calcification at tip of greater trochanter (n=4, 13%), sensitivity over TFL (n=2, 7%), medial thigh pain (n=3, 10%). 10 patients developed femoral shortness (mean=0.22 cm, range from 0-1 cm). Average harris hip score at the end of study showed mean value of 87, ranged from 65 to 94 with almost 22 (73%) patients showing excellent or good outcome.Conclusions: Proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) represents a significant treatment option in management of intertrochanteric fractures with low complication rate

Bio-Gas Plant Project for Waste Management and Energy Generation

UB faces food wastage issues, with a huge amount of food being wasted at various dinning locations on campus. The proposal is to set-up a Bio-Gas plant, which will utilize this waste and generate electrical power, that can be used by the university. The plant will be located close to the Bridgeport landfill and solar plant. The plant can be fed with waste generated from nearby hotels and educational institutions

Co-crystallization of human inositol monophosphatase with the lithium mimetic L-690,330

Lithium, which is still the gold standard in the treatment of bipolar disorder, has been proposed to inhibit inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) and is hypothesized to exert its therapeutic effects by attenuating phosphatidylinositol (PI) cell signalling. Drug-discovery efforts have focused on small-molecule lithium mimetics that would specifically inhibit IMPase without exhibiting the undesired side effects of lithium. L-690,330 is a potent bisphosphonate substrate-based inhibitor developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme. To aid future structure-based inhibitor design, determination of the exact binding mechanism of L-690,330 to IMPase was of interest. Here, the high-resolution X-ray structure of human IMPase in complex with L690,330 and manganese ions determined at 1.39 Å resolution is reported