SurferMonkey: a decentralized anonymous Blockchain intercommunication system via Zero Knowledge Proofs.

Blockchain intercommunication systems listen to messages from Blockchain A and insert them in Blockchain B. This interoperability promotes innovation, unlocks liquidity and access to assets. As of March 2022, the Total Value Locked (TVL) in these systems was of $21.8 billion [22]. However, Blockchains are isolated systems that originally were not designed for interoperability. This makes cross-chain communication (Bridges) insecure by nature. More precisely, cross-chain systems face security challenges in terms of selfish Rational Players from a Game Theory perspective, Maximal Exctractable Value (MEV) and Censorship. As of July 2022, the top 3 Bridge hacks account for more than$1.5 billion in losses [20] and the aggregated value extracted from the users using MEV techniques is $663 million [12]. We propose to solve these challenges by using Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) for cross-chain communication. However, an agnostic anonymous cross-chain communication is more complex than an anonymous single-chain payment, or than a public cross-chain message, as user privacy must be preserved against on/off-chain analysis. Our first contribution is the Decentralized Anonymous Agnostic Cross-Chain Transfer (DACT) protocol. The DACT protocol is a global solution for the anonymity and security challenges of agnostic Blockchain intercommunication. The DACT messages break the on/off-chain analysis thanks to ZKPs. Our second contributions is SurferMonkey, a decentralized infrastructure that supports the DACT protocol. Since SurferMonkey works at the Blockchain application layer, any dApp can use SurferMonkey and send any type of message to a dApp on another Blockchain. Users cannot be censored, nor be exposed to MEV. By applying decentralized proactive security, we obtain resilience against selfish Rational Players, and raise the security bar against cyberattacks. We have implemented a Proof of Concept (PoC) of SurferMonkey by reverse engineering Tornadocash and by applying IDEN3 ZKP circuits. SurferMonkey opens new projects, ranging from anonymous voting and gaming, to a new phase of Anonymous Decentralized Finance (aDeFi)

Smart token for the Campus using Blockchain

This project was born from the idea of creating a complete and functional Smart Campus on the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (from now on NTUST). The NTUST, one of the most excellence universities not only in Taipei City, but also all around Taiwan, has a large reputation in all types of engineering. Along the years, the university has been able to adapt to new technologies and new trends. In this new world wide environment of Internet of Things (IoT), the university wants to lead an interdepartmental project to create a SMART CAMPUS as functional and effective as possible. According to this objective, between the writer and Professor Shuo-Yan Chou the idea of implementing a micro-economy system based in new technologies such as blockchain was thought as a revolutionary further step to develop in the project

Platinum Recovery Techniques for a Circular Economy

Platinum and other metals are very scarce materials widely used in the energy and transportation sector among other sectors. Obtaining Platinum is becoming more difficult due to its scarcity on earth and because of the high amount of energy and water used for its extraction. In this regard, the recycling of platinum is necessary for sustainable technologies and for reaching a circular economy towards this expensive and rare metal. Conventional methods for platinum recycling make use of enormous amounts of energy for its recovery, which makes them not very attractive for industry implementation. Furthermore, these processes generate very toxic liquid streams and gas wastes that must be further treated, which do not meet the green environmental point of view of platinum recycling. Consequently, new advanced technologies are arising aiming to reach very high platinum recovery rates while being environmentally friendly and making a huge reduction of energy use compared with the conventional methods. In this review, conventional platinum recovery methods are summarized showing their limitations. Furthermore, new and promising approaches for platinum recovery are reviewed to shed light on about new and greener ways for a platinum circular economyEl platino y otros metales son materiales muy escasos ampliamente utilizados en el sector de la energía y el transporte, entre otros sectores. La obtención de platino es cada vez más difícil debido a su escasez en la tierra y por la gran cantidad de energía y agua que se utiliza para su extracción. En este sentido, el reciclaje de platino es necesario para tecnologías sostenibles y para alcanzar una economía circular hacia este metal caro y raro. Los métodos convencionales para el reciclaje del platino utilizan enormes cantidades de energía para su recuperación, lo que los hace poco atractivos para su implementación en la industria. Además, estos procesos generan corrientes líquidas muy tóxicas y desechos gaseosos que deben tratarse más, que no cumplen con el punto de vista ambiental verde del reciclaje de platino. Como consecuencia, Están surgiendo nuevas tecnologías avanzadas con el objetivo de alcanzar tasas de recuperación de platino muy altas, al mismo tiempo que son respetuosas con el medio ambiente y reducen enormemente el uso de energía en comparación con los métodos convencionales. En esta revisión, se resumen los métodos convencionales de recuperación de platino mostrando sus limitaciones. Además, se revisan enfoques nuevos y prometedores para la recuperación de platino para arrojar luz sobre formas nuevas y más ecológicas para una economía circular de platin

Análisis de costos del control prenatal y atención obstétrica en mujeres embarazadas con peso normal y obesidad

El sobrepeso y la obesidad han ido en aumento en todo el mundo durante los últimos 30 años, convirtiéndose en un problema de salud pública y de interés para los dirigentes en este sector. La obesidad materna se define por exceso de tejido adiposo, definida por un índice de masa corporal (IMC) mayor o igual a 30 kg/m, es la comorbilidad más frecuente durante del embarazo y se asocia con un aumento del riesgo de morbilidad y mortalidad materna. En países como México más de 50% de la población adulta tiene sobrepeso u obesidad. La prevalencia de obesidad abdominal en México es 74.0%, mayor en mujeres (82.8%) que en hombres (64.5%).Antecedentes: La obesidad es el principal factor de riesgo modificable para el desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, como diabetes mellitus y enfermedad cardiovascular. En las últimas tres décadas la prevalencia de obesidad ha aumentado en el ámbito mundial. Para el 2008 en México los costos atribuibles a la obesidad fueron de 42,000 millones de pesos, equivalente al 13% del gasto total de salud y al 0.3 del PIB. Sin embargo en México existe poca información en cuanto al costo adicional que se deriva de embarazos en mujeres con obesidad. Objetivo: Determinar y comparar el costo del control prenatal y de atención obstétrica en mujeres embarazadas con peso normal y con obesidad. Métodos: Se estudiaron mujeres embarazadas de Enero a Diciembre de 2012. El rango de edad fue 19-37 anos de edad y con índice de masa corporal pregestacional (IMCPG) normal ˜ ( 30 kg/m2). Se costeo el control prenatal (basado en el número de consultas), la atención obstétrica, la vía de resolución y la hospitalización en pesos mexicanos al momento del estudio. Resultados: Hubo 34 pacientes con IMCPG normal, y 48 pacientes con obesidad. La edad promedio fue de 27 anos. Comparando con el grupo normal, los costos en el grupo obesidad se ˜ incrementaron 57% en la atención obstétrica (media en pesos mexicanos 3029.41 para el grupo normal vs. 4770.83 grupo obesidad p < 0.0001), en la vía de resolución se incrementaron 15%, (6221.41 vs. 7128.56 respectivamente, p < 0.001); en la hospitalización se incrementaron 43%, (1407.56 vs. 2012.50 respectivamente p < 0.0001). El costo total se incrementó 23% (16,992 vs. 20,828.56, p < 0.0001). Conclusión: Los costos en mujeres con obesidad embarazadas son mayores que en las mujeres con peso normal por lo que se sugiere la implementación de un programa dirigido al control de peso pregestacional y gestacional para así disminuir costos adicionales

Space assets and technology for bushfire management

The financial, emotional, and ecological impacts of bushfires can be devastating. This report was prepared by the participants of the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2021 in response to the topic: “How space assets and technologies can be applied to better predict and mitigate bushfires and their impacts.” To effectively reach the diverse set of stakeholders impacted by bushfires, Communication was identified as a key enabler central to any examination of the topic. The three pillars “predict”, “mitigate” and “communicate” were identified to frame the task at hand. Combining the diverse skills and experience of the class participants with the interdisciplinary knowledge gained from the seminars, distinguished lectures, and workshops during the SHSSP21 program, conducted a literature review With specific reference to the 2019-20 Australian fire season, we looked at the current state of the art, key challenges, and how bushfires can be better predicted and mitigated in the future. Comparing this to the future desired state, we identified gaps for each of the three domains, and worked across teams to reach consensus on a list of recommendations. Several of these recommendations were derived independently by two or more of the three groups, highlighting the importance of a holistic and collaborative approach. The report details a number of recommendations arising from this Where applicable, we also aligned our discussion with the experience and lessons from other countries and agencies to consider,learn from and respond to the international context, as others develop systems using space technology to tackle similar wildfire issues

Hepatic levels of S-adenosylmethionine regulate the adaptive response to fasting

26 p.-6 fig.-1 tab.-1 graph. abst.There has been an intense focus to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which fasting triggers the adaptive cellular responses in the major organs of the body. Here, we show that in mice, hepatic S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)—the principal methyl donor—acts as a metabolic sensor of nutrition to fine-tune the catabolic-fasting response by modulating phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) activity, endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts, β-oxidation, and ATP production in the liver, together with FGF21-mediated lipolysis and thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Notably, we show that glucagon induces the expression of the hepatic SAMe-synthesizing enzyme methionine adenosyltransferase α1 (MAT1A), which translocates to mitochondria-associated membranes. This leads to the production of this metabolite at these sites, which acts as a brake to prevent excessive β-oxidation and mitochondrial ATP synthesis and thereby endoplasmic reticulum stress and liver injury. This work provides important insights into the previously undescribed function of SAMe as a new arm of the metabolic adaptation to fasting.M.V.-R. is supported by Proyecto PID2020-119486RB-100 (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), Gilead Sciences International Research Scholars Program in Liver Disease, Acción Estratégica Ciberehd Emergentes 2018 (ISCIII), Fundación BBVA, HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-Doctoral Networks 2021 (101073094), and Redes de Investigación 2022 (RED2022-134485-T). M.L.M.-C. is supported by La CAIXA Foundation (LCF/PR/HP17/52190004), Proyecto PID2020-117116RB-I00 (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), Ayudas Fundación BBVA a equipos de investigación científica (Umbrella 2018), and AECC Scientific Foundation (Rare Cancers 2017). A.W. is supported by RTI2018-097503-B-I00 and PID2021-127169OB-I00, (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and by “ERDF A way of making Europe,” Xunta de Galicia (Ayudas PRO-ERC), Fundación Mutua Madrileña, and European Community’s H2020 Framework Programme (ERC Consolidator grant no. 865157 and MSCA Doctoral Networks 2021 no. 101073094). C.M. is supported by CIBERNED. P.A. is supported by Ayudas para apoyar grupos de investigación del sistema Universitario Vasco (IT1476-22), PID2021-124425OB-I00 (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe,” MCI/UE/ISCiii [PMP21/00080], and UPV/EHU [COLAB20/01]). M.F. and M.G.B. are supported by PID2019-105739GB-I00 and PID2020-115472GB-I00, respectively (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). M.G.B. is supported by Xunta de Galicia (ED431C 2019/013). C.A., T.L.-D., and J.B.-V. are recipients of pre-doctoral fellowships from Xunta de Galicia (ED481A-2020/046, ED481A-2018/042, and ED481A 2021/244, respectively). T.C.D. is supported by Fundación Científica AECC. A.T.-R. is a recipient of a pre-doctoral fellowship from Fundación Científica AECC. S.V.A. and C.R. are recipients of Margarita Salas postdoc grants under the “Plan de Recuperación Transformación” program funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities with European Union’s NextGeneration EU funds (2021/PER/00020 and MU-21-UP2021-03071902373A, respectively). T.C.D., A.S.-R., and M.T.-C. are recipients of Ayuda RYC2020-029316-I, PRE2019/088960, and BES-2016/078493, respectively, supported by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by El FSE invierte en tu futuro. S.L.-O. is a recipient of a pre-doctoral fellowship from the Departamento de Educación del Gobierno Vasco (PRE_2018_1_0372). P.A.-G. is recipient of a FPU pre-doctoral fellowship from the Ministry of Education (FPU19/02704). CIC bioGUNE is supported by Ayuda CEX2021-001136-S financiada por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. A.B.-C. was funded by predoctoral contract PFIS (FI19/00240) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) co-funded by Fondo Social Europeo (FSE), and A.D.-L. was funded by contract Juan Rodés (JR17/00016) from ISCIII. A.B.-C. is a Miguel Servet researcher (CPII22/00008) from ISCIII.Peer reviewe

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe

Smart token for the Campus using Blockchain

This project was born from the idea of creating a complete and functional Smart Campus on the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (from now on NTUST). The NTUST, one of the most excellence universities not only in Taipei City, but also all around Taiwan, has a large reputation in all types of engineering. Along the years, the university has been able to adapt to new technologies and new trends. In this new world wide environment of Internet of Things (IoT), the university wants to lead an interdepartmental project to create a SMART CAMPUS as functional and effective as possible. According to this objective, between the writer and Professor Shuo-Yan Chou the idea of implementing a micro-economy system based in new technologies such as blockchain was thought as a revolutionary further step to develop in the project

Smart token for the Campus using Blockchain

This project was born from the idea of creating a complete and functional Smart Campus on the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (from now on NTUST). The NTUST, one of the most excellence universities not only in Taipei City, but also all around Taiwan, has a large reputation in all types of engineering. Along the years, the university has been able to adapt to new technologies and new trends. In this new world wide environment of Internet of Things (IoT), the university wants to lead an interdepartmental project to create a SMART CAMPUS as functional and effective as possible. According to this objective, between the writer and Professor Shuo-Yan Chou the idea of implementing a micro-economy system based in new technologies such as blockchain was thought as a revolutionary further step to develop in the project

Mutational Landscape of Bladder Cancer in Mexican Patients: <i>KMT2D</i> Mutations and chr11q15.5 Amplifications Are Associated with Muscle Invasion

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm of the urinary tract, which originates in the epithelium that covers the inner surface of the bladder. The molecular BC profile has led to the development of different classifications of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, the genomic BC landscape profile of the Mexican population, including NMIBC and MIBC, is unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs) in Mexican patients with BC and their associations with clinical and pathological characteristics. We retrospectively evaluated 37 patients treated between 2012 and 2021 at the National Cancer Institute—Mexico (INCan). DNA samples were obtained from paraffin-embedded tumor tissues and exome sequenced. Strelka2 and Lancet packages were used to identify SNVs and insertions or deletions. FACETS was used to determine CNVs. We found a high frequency of mutations in TP53 and KMT2D, gains in 11q15.5 and 19p13.11-q12, and losses in 7q11.23. STAG2 mutations and 1q11.23 deletions were also associated with NMIBC and low histologic grade