Enhanced Context-Aware Role-Based Access Control Framework for Pervasive Environment

Utilization of contextual information considered very useful for improving access decision making process against systems resources, to be more effective in providing authorized service for a large number of end users.We selected model makes decisions based on context information sensed and collected from user environment. Then we enhanced context utilization and framework performance based on theoretical idea previously published [14], through studying the process of making decision based on context information validity. We focused on enhancing the distributing and management process of context information over users by using the proxy, which works as observer to enforce policy for short term context information. In case of any change, breaks access control policy rules, the proxy on user device will automatically send revocation/grant request based on change made for context information related to the user in his local environment. After the change made to context information listed within the available policy rules, the proxy will re-evaluate it on user device, and utilize available resources on the device, then grant or revoke permissions, finally will update the web service to be up-to-date. Such enhancement will highly increase system responsiveness and enhance authorization for end users.

Pricing of in-patent pharmaceuticals in the Middle East and North Africa: is external reference pricing implemented optimally?

In this paper we outline and compare pharmaceutical pricing policies for in-patent prescription pharma- ceuticals with emphasis on external reference pricing (ERP) in eleven countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and explore possible improvements in their pricing systems. Primary and secondary evidence was used to inform our analysis. Comparative analysis of ERP systems across countries followed an analytical framework distilling ERP into twelve salient features, while ERP system performance was benchmarked against a framework of best practice principles across (a) objectives and scope, (b) administration and operations, (c) methods used, and (d) implementation. Results suggest that ERP is the dominant pricing method for in-patent pharmaceuticals. Although several good practice cases were identified, none of the eleven countries satisfy all best practice principles. ERP basket sizes vary sig- nificantly and are commonly composed using geographical proximity and low-price countries as criteria. Nine countries do not use the mean or median prices, but resort to using the lowest. Exchange rate fluc- tuations are routinely used to arrive at price reductions in local currency. Significant opportunities exist for MENA countries to develop their ERP regimes to achieve greater compliance with best practice princi- ples. Over the short-term, incremental changes could be implemented to several ERP salient features and can be achieved relatively easily, thereby enhancing the functionality and performance of national ERP systems. Countries in the region can also focus on the development of explicit value assessment systems, and minimize their dependence on ERP over the longer-term

The development and validation of a decision aid to facilitate patient choice of surgery versus radiotherapy for high-risk basal cell carcinoma.

Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCCs) are increasingly common. For high risk BCCs, there are several treatment options, with similar efficacies. Current best practice is for a patient centred approach in deciding upon treatment modality. At present, there are few resources for clinicians to give to patients to assist their choice. This reduces patient autonomy and increases the burden on clinicians within clinic. Patient decision aids (PDAs) have been shown to increase patient autonomy and facilitate shared decision making. Currently, there is no published PDA designed to facilitate the decision between surgical management or radiotherapy in high risk BCCs. Here, we propose a novel decision aid designed along the International Patient Decision Aid Standards to fill this clinical need and evaluate its acceptance by both patients and clinicians. We describe the challenges faced at initial alpha and subsequent beta testing and go on to validate our PDA with both the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) and the 9-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDMQ9). We encourage other units to modify the PDA for their own use and include an example

A Rapid, Cost-Effective Method of Assembly and Purification of Synthetic DNA Probes >100 bp

Here we introduce a rapid, cost-effective method of generating molecular DNA probes in just under 15 minutes without the need for expensive, time-consuming gel-extraction steps. As an example, we enzymatically concatenated six variable strands (50 bp) with a common strand sequence (51 bp) in a single pool using Fast-Link DNA ligase to produce 101 bp targets (10 min). Unincorporated species were then filtered out by passing the crude reaction through a size-exclusion column (<5 min). We then compared full-length product yield of crude and purified samples using HPLC analysis; the results of which clearly show our method yields three-quarters that of the crude sample (50% higher than by gel-extraction). And while we substantially reduced the amount of unligated product with our filtration process, higher purity and yield, with an increase in number of stands per reaction (>12) could be achieved with further optimization. Moreover, for large-scale assays, we envision this method to be fully automated with the use of robotics such as the Biomek FX; here, potentially thousands of samples could be pooled, ligated and purified in either a 96, 384 or 1536-well platform in just minutes

NiO-Nanofillers Embedded in Graphite/PVA-Polymer Matrix for efficient Electromagnetic Radiation Shielding

In this study, we report on the preparation of NiO/graphite sheets nanofillers in PVA-polymer matrix using a simple cost-effective hydrothermal process for EM shielding effectiveness applications. The careful optimization of the growth conditions and NiO/G/PVA relative ratios have resulted in NiO nanoparticles formation with homogeneous density. In this nanocomposite, the NiO nanoparticles and graphite sheets were incorporated into a polymer to enhance the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. The morphological, structural, and chemical analysis have been conducted by SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. EDX and XRD analysis confirmed the exact chemical composition with high purity. SEM images showed the best morphology with homogenous NiO-nanoparticles distribution on graphite sheets for 15 wt% NiO relative ratio NiO/G/PVA nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was tested in different environments and shielding chambers that contained relatively high-level exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The shielding effectiveness (SE) measurements of NiO/G/PVA showed a significant increase of shielding effectiveness of about 17 dB compared to the commercial shielding paint. This can be ascribed to the homogenous distribution of NiO-NPs over the entire graphite sheets and the strong interaction of the incident electromagnetic radiation with the magnetic and electric dipoles in the nanocomposite. These finding is promising for enhanced flexible and cost-effective EMI shielding applications

Comparison of the HUI3 with the SF-36 Preference Based SF-6D in a Clinical Trial Setting

AbstractObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that the Health Utilities Index Mark III (HUI3) and the SF-6D, based on the SF-36, generate similar health state values, and to test and compare their discriminant validity and responsiveness.MethodsThe HUI3 and SF-36 were administered to 331 patients enrolled in a double-blind, multinational phase III clinical trial in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention before hospital discharge and 6 months thereafter.ResultsThe mean SF-6D baseline health state score was 0.67 compared to the HUI3 of 0.63 with r of 0.616 and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.40. The relationship was nonlinear with greatest divergence found at the lower levels of health. Both measures were found to agree with known differences in health and to be responsive to changes over time. Nevertheless, disagreement resulted in different estimates of change from baseline (0.08 vs. 0.154).ConclusionBoth measures deployed in the present study were found to have discriminant validity, and to be responsive to changes over time in coronary artery disease conditions. Nevertheless, the measures generated different estimates of health state values for this patient population. These differences might in part be the consequence of the health status descriptive system for the HUI that may have been more in line with the hospitalized state than that for the SF-6D. These findings seemed to indicate that measures deployed are not interchangeable for use in cost-utility analysis. More head-to-head comparisons between these two measures are needed to further define and compare relationships in different patient populations