Scalability challenges in healthcare blockchain system - a systematic review

Blockchain technology is a private, secure, trustworthy, and transparent information exchange performed in a decentralised manner. In this case, the coordination and validation efforts are simplified as the records are designed to update regularly and there is no difference in the two databases. This review focuses on how the blockchain addresses scalability challenges and provides solutions in the healthcare field through the implementation of blockchain technology. Accordingly, 16 solutions fell under two main areas, namely storage optimization and redesign of blockchain. However, limitations persist, including block size, high volume of data, transactions, number of nodes, and protocol challenges. This review consists of six stages, namely identification of research question, procedures of research, screening of relevant articles, keywording based on the abstract, data extraction, and mapping process. Through Atlas.ti software, the selected keywords were used to analyse through the relevant articles. As a result, 48 codes and 403 quotations were compiled. Manual coding was performed to categorise the quotations. The codes were then mapped onto the network as a mapping process. Notably, 16 solutions fell under two main areas, namely storage optimization and redesign of blockchain. Basically, there are 3 solutions compiled for storage optimization and 13 solutions for the redesign of the blockchain, namely blockchain modelling, read mechanism, write mechanism, and bi-directional network

Impact damage resistance and post impact tolerance of optimum banana-pseudo stem fiber reinforced epoxy sandwich structures

Banana fiber has a high potential for use in fiber composite structures due to its promise as a polymer reinforcement. However, it has poor bonding characteristics with the matrixes due to hydrophobic-hydrophilic incompatibility, inconsistency in blending weight ratio, and fiber length instability. In this study, the optimal conditions for a banana/epoxy composite as determined previously were used to fabricate a sandwich structure where carbon/Kevlar twill plies acted as the skins. The structure was evaluated based on two experimental tests: low-velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI) tests. Here, the synthetic fiber including Kevlar, carbon, and glass sandwich structures were also tested for comparison purposes. In general, the results showed a low peak load and larger damage area in the optimal banana/epoxy structures. The impact damage area, as characterized by the dye penetration, increased with increasing impact energy. The optimal banana composite and synthetic fiber systems were proven to offer a similar residual strength and normalized strength when higher impact energies were applied. Delamination and fracture behavior were dominant in the optimal banana structures subjected to CAI testing. Finally, optimization of the compounding parameters of the optimal banana fibers improved the impact and CAI properties of the structure, making them comparable to those of synthetic sandwich composites

Enhancing the stabilization of aircraft pitch motion control via intelligent and classical method

The pitching movement of an aircraft is very important to ensure passengers are intrinsically safe and the aircraft achieve its maximum stability. The equations governing the motion of an aircraft are a complex set of six nonlinear coupled differential equations. Under certain assumptions, it can be decoupled and linearized into longitudinal and lateral equations. Pitch control is a longitudinal problem and thus, only the longitudinal dynamics equations are involved in this system. It is a third order nonlinear system, which is linearized about the operating point. The system is also inherently unstable due to the presence of a free integrator. Because of this, a feedback controller is added in order to solve this problem and enhance the system performance. This study uses two approaches in designing controller: a conventional controller and an intelligent controller. The pitch control scheme consists of proportional, integral and derivatives (PID) for conventional controller and fuzzy logic control (FLC) for intelligent controller. Throughout the paper, the performance of the presented controllers are investigated and compared based on the common criteria of step response. Simulation results have been obtained and analysed by using Matlab and Simulink software. The study shows that FLC controller has higher ability to control and stabilize the aircraft's pitch angle as compared to PID controller

Internet of Things Applications in Precision Agriculture: A Review

The goal of this paper is to review the implementation of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based system in the precision agriculture sector. Each year, farmers suffer enormous losses as a result of insect infestations and a lack of equipment to manage the farm effectively. The selected article summarises the recommended systematic equipment and approach for implementing an IoT in smart farming. This review's purpose is to identify and discuss the significant devices, cloud platforms, communication protocols, and data processing methodologies. This review highlights an updated technology for agricultural smart management by revising every area, such as crop field data and application utilization. By customizing their technology spending decisions, agriculture stakeholders can better protect the environment and increase food production in a way that meets future global demand. Last but not least, the contribution of this research is that the use of IoT in the agricultural sector helps to improve sensing and monitoring of production, including farm resource usage, animal behavior, crop growth, and food processing. Also, it provides a better understanding of the individual agricultural circumstances, such as environmental and weather conditions, the growth of weeds, pests, and diseases

Experimental Study On Noise Source Identification Of Split Unit Air Conditioner System

This paper presents the procedures and the results of noise source at the split unit air conditioner system. Noise in split unit air conditioning system is a frequent problem for the air conditioner manufactures. Split unit air conditioners have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit connected by communication pipes. Noise can reduce the efficiency and performance of the air conditioner. In order to identify and analysis of noise at air conditioner system, experimental have been done using sound intensity mapping method. The investigation was carried out by varying the parameter which is the fan speed and temperature at air conditioner. In order to identify where the noise source comes from, a grid rig had been build to get the noise location and their rating by located the microphone at the rig point. The signal from the probe will be analyze by using Pulse LabShop software. The results from the noise were showed in noise mapping with different color which indicates the different level of noises from different location. The highest noise sound levels occur at the front side of air conditioner which is at the fan that is about 74.784dB. The second highest noise sound level is occur at the right side which is at the compressor about 72.115dB. It can be concluded that sound power level will increase as higher as fan speed at the lowest temperature of the air conditioner

Influence of Chain Length of Alcohols on Stokes' Shift Dynamics in Catanionic Vesicles

In this paper, we explore the

Microwave torrefaction of sawdust as biomass energy source

Sawdust is one of the wood wastes produced by the timber industry. Sawdust has excellent potential as an energy source. However, sawdust needs to undergo some improvements by the torrefaction process as it contains higher moisture content and volatile matter. Torrefaction is a thermal method that can enhance sawdust properties as it operates at low temperatures within 200300°C with the presence of nitrogen gas. Microwave torrefaction is introduced to shorten residence time due to fast heating rather than conventional heating. This study focused on microwave torrefaction of sawdust to be used as an energy source by improving the sawdust's chemical compositions and energy potential. The experiment was conducted at different residence times (5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes) and nitrogen gas flowrate (30, 60 and 90 mL/min) for 20 minutes at 1000W microwave power. The colour of torrefied sawdust was observed, and the result showed it turned from light brown to slightly black because of the higher carbon content inside it as the removal of volatile matter during the process. The HHV values were measured by bomb calorimeter, and proximate analysis was determined using TGA. The result showed the improvement in torrefied sawdust that it becomes low in moisture content, higher carbon content and heating value due to the degradation of the structural components, mainly hemicellulose inside the sawdust that releases the volatile matter as the temperature increases. Overall, the microwave torrefaction process reduced the moisture content to 28%, increased HHV to 50%, and increased carbon to 60%, making sawdust a good energy sourc

Load-deformation analysis on a slope at Gunung Pulai water treatment plant, Sultan Ibrahim reservoir

The Sultan Ibrahim Reservoir located at Gunung Pulai catchment area was previously managed by the Singapore's Public Utilities Board before the Board handed over the reservoir to Johor State Government under current management of the Syarikat Air Johor. At the present time, the Syarikat Air Johor is operating a Gunung Pulai Water Treatment Plant consisted of two main plants, i.e. Water Sedimentation Plant and Water Filtration Plant for treating raw water from the reservoir before supplying to the consumers. However, the integrity of water treatment plant's structure should be checked due to several cracks were observed, and moreover the structure was built over more than 90 years. The formation of the cracks in the Gunung Pulai Water Treatment Plant may be induced by movement of the sloping area to the south-east of Water Sedimentation Plant. The calculated Factor of Safety (FOS) via sensitivity analysis for cross sections of original slope indicates any decrease in friction angle and/or cohesion strength or increase in horizontal seismic load will further cause instability on slope. Also, the results of Load-Deformation analysis on cross sections of original slope show significant vertical displacement and horizontal displacement on the bottom and both sides of sedimentation tanks, respectively. The results indicate applied structural and water loads significantly affect deformation at both vertical and horizontal directions which could have contributed to FOS < 1 in slope stability analysis

Infection-mediated priming of phagocytes protects against lethal secondary Aspergillus fumigatus challenge

Phagocytes restrict the germination of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and prevent the establishment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunecompetent mice. Here we report that immunecompetent mice recovering from a primary A. fumigatus challenge are protected against a secondary lethal challenge. Using RAGγc knock-out mice we show that this protection is independent of T, B and NK cells. In protected mice, lung phagocytes are recruited more rapidly and are more efficient in conidial phagocytosis and killing. Protection was also associated with an enhanced expression of CXCR2 and Dectin-1 on bone marrow phagocytes. We also show that protective lung cytokine and chemokine responses are induced more rapidly and with enhanced dynamics in protected mice. Our findings support the hypothesis that following a first encounter with a non-lethal dose of A. fumigatus conidia, the innate immune system is primed and can mediate protection against a secondary lethal infection