Revisiting a Privacy-Preserving Location-based Service Protocol using Edge Computing

Location-based services are getting more popular day by day. Finding nearby stores, proximity-based marketing, on-road service assistance, etc., are some of the services that use location-based services. In location-based services, user information like user identity, user query, and location must be protected. Ma et al. (INFOCOM-BigSecurity 2019) proposed a privacy-preserving location-based service using Somewhat Homomorphic Encryption (SHE). Their protocol uses edge nodes that compute on SHE encrypted location data and determines the $k$-nearest points of interest contained in the Location-based Server (LBS) without revealing the original user coordinates to LBS, hence, ensuring privacy of users locations. In this work, we show that the above protocol by Ma et al. has a critical flaw. In particular, we show that their secure comparison protocol has a correctness issue in that it will not lead to correct comparison. A major consequence of this flaw is that straightforward approaches to fix this issue will make their protocol insecure. Namely, the LBS will be able to recover the actual locations of the users in each and every query

Clinico-histopathological analysis of orbito-ocular lesions: a hospital-based study

Introductions: Preoperative diagnosis of orbital and ocular lesions is necessary for optimum treatment. The study aims to analyze the histomorphological spectrum of orbito-ocular lesions and to evaluate the need of ancillary techniques for confirmation of diagnosis. Methods: A cross sectional hospital based study of orbito-ocular surgical biopsy samples obtained in the Department of Pathology, at Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Nepal during one-year period was analysed for clinical and histopathological findings. Demographic data, site and tissue type, benign or malignant, recommendations for special stains and immunohistochemistry panel study were analysed.    Results: Out of 185 total samples, male to female ratio of 1.1:1, age ranged from ten month to 82 years, 11-20 year age group had 39 (21.1%) orbito-ocular lesions and cornea-conjunctiva was involved in 104 (56.2%). Clinical diagnosis correlated well with histopathological diagnosis, p<0.001. The non-neoplastic, benign and malignant lesions were 36.7%, 33.5% and 29.7% respectively. Squamous cell carcinoma was seen in 28 (50.9%) of malignant lesions followed by sebaceous carcinoma 7 (12.7%). The special stains and immunohistochemistry panel was recommended in 38 (20.5% and 21 (11.3%) cases respectively. Conclusions: Findings suggest the clinical and histopathological diagnosis correlated well in diagnosis of a wide spectrum of orbito-ocular lesions. Keywords: ancillary techniques, clincio-pathological correlation, immunohistochemistry, orbito-ocular lesions, squamous cell carcinom

Improvement of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) yield and quality through biotechnological approach: A review

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), an old-world grain legume, is grown approximately in 3 m/ha area world-wide from temperate, tropical to hot arid conditions. It is such a wonderful legume that it can excel even under adverse soil conditions; acidic or saline alkaline (pH 4.5 to 9.0). In favourable conditions, it gives very high yields, but low yield may result from biotic and abiotic stress. In India, it is still treated as minor legume. Genetic transformation based on Agrobacteria is possible. Several random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to a gene determining hypersensitive resistance to race 1 of the rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) have been reported. Molecular breeding for resistance to broomrape, Ascochyta blight, rust, and chocolate spot have been obtained. The use of marker assisted selection (MAS) can complement conventional breeding by speeding up the selection of desirable traits and increasing selection efficiency. Recently, markers linked to a gene controlling growth habit or to select against traits affecting the nutritional value of seeds have also been reported. Lack of suitable cultivar can be easily overcome by application of modern tools and techniques. Several in-vitro techniques would be very useful for faba bean breeding. New techniques such as protoplast fusion, regeneration, and embryo-rescue assisted interspecific crossing could probably be introduced to V. faba L. to improve yield and quality. This review work examines the role of various techniques with reference to faba bean improvement.Key words: Vicia faba, faba bean, grain quality, resistance breeding, nitrogen fixation, zero tannin

Genetic Variability in Napier Grass (\u3cem\u3ePennisetum purpureum\u3c/em\u3e) Germplasm Conserved at ICRISAT Genebank

Napier grass or elephant grass [Pennisetum purpureum Schum.] is an important forage crop in tropical and sub-tropical regions valued for its high biomass production, perennial nature, pest resistance, and forage quality. It is a unique grass species with high dry matter, which sustains its utilization for direct animal grazing and as a feed complement during drought periods. It has additional advantages like preventing soil erosion and improving soil fertility. Napier grass also has potential for bioenergy production and conversion to alcohol or methane due to its rapid growth and degradable biomass characteristics. The present study was planned to assess the genetic variability among purpureum germplasm conserved at ICRISAT genebank, Patancheru for their potential utilization in development of forage varieties and bajranapier hybrids

Unraveling Origin, History, Genetics, and Strategies for Accelerated Domestication and Diversification of Food Legumes

Domestication is a dynamic and ongoing process of transforming wild species into cultivated species by selecting desirable agricultural plant features to meet human needs such as taste, yield, storage, and cultivation practices. Human plant domestication began in the Fertile Crescent around 12,000 years ago and spread throughout the world, including China, Mesoamerica, the Andes and Near Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa, and eastern North America. Indus valley civilizations have played a great role in the domestication of grain legumes. Crops, such as pigeon pea, black gram, green gram, lablab bean, moth bean, and horse gram, originated in the Indian subcontinent, and Neolithic archaeological records indicate that these crops were first domesticated by early civilizations in the region. The domestication and evolution of wild ancestors into today’s elite cultivars are important contributors to global food supply and agricultural crop improvement. In addition, food legumes contribute to food security by protecting human health and minimize climate change impacts. During the domestication process, legume crop species have undergone a severe genetic diversity loss, and only a very narrow range of variability is retained in the cultivars. Further reduction in genetic diversity occurred during seed dispersal and movement across the continents. In general, only a few traits, such as shattering resistance, seed dormancy loss, stem growth behavior, flowering–maturity period, and yield traits, have prominence in the domestication process across the species. Thus, identification and knowledge of domestication responsive loci were often useful in accelerating new species’ domestication. The genes and metabolic pathways responsible for the significant alterations that occurred as an outcome of domestication might aid in the quick domestication of novel crops. Further, recent advances in “omics” sciences, gene-editing technologies, and functional analysis will accelerate the domestication and crop improvement of new crop species without losing much genetic diversity. In this review, we have discussed about the origin, center of diversity, and seed movement of major food legumes, which will be useful in the exploration and utilization of genetic diversity in crop improvement. Further, we have discussed about the major genes/QTLs associated with the domestication syndrome in pulse crops and the future strategies to improve the food legume crops

Histomorphology Spectrum of Gall Bladder Pathology in Cholecystectomy Specimens with Clinical Diagnosis of Chronic Cholecystitis

Introduction: Chronic cholecystitis is a common disease in surgery where majority of cholecystectomy are performed. This study was carried out to see histomorphological pattern of gallbladder diseases, staining pattern with various stains and prevalence of carcinoma. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of Pathology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal from January to December 2008. A minimum of fifty random samples were included in study. Clinical details and pathological data were retrieved from case sheets and patient’s history. All specimens were fixed in 10% formalin. Three sections each from neck, body and fundus were taken. Tissues were processed in an automated tissue processor and paraffin blocks made. The tissue sections were examined under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin, neutral mucin, sulfated mucin and sialomucin stain. Results: Chronic cholecystitis without cholelithiasis constituted majority of 25(50.0%) cases with M: F of 1: 7.1. The gastric and intestinal metaplasias were present in 33.0 % and 8.0% of the cases respectively. The neutral, sulfated and sailomucin were positive in 35.0 %, 21.0 %, 1.0 % and 34.0 %, 21.0 %, 1.0% cases respectively in gastric and intestinal metaplasia. Both gastric and intestinal metaplasia showed significant p-value on sulfated mucin. Conclusions: The increase risk factors for developing of chronic cholecystitis were seen in female gender (86%). The gastric and intestinal metaplasia showed positivity more with neutral followed by sulfated mucin.  Keywords: chronic cholecystitis; metaplasia; mucins.

Analysis of blood transfusion request and utilization pattern at teaching hospital in Eastern Nepal

Background: Blood transfusion unit collection, storage and dispatching on Birat Medical College and Teaching Hospital began from 19 June 2016 via blood bank. After which, many blood distribution were made accessible via this service. This study analyzes the blood transfusion request and utilization pattern and also to monitor for managing the bloodstocks meeting present and future demand in hospital. Materials and Methods: This is descriptive cross-sectional study conducted for all the requests of whole blood dispatched from 19th June, 2016 to 04th July, 2018. Whole blood requisitions from various departments were reviewed regarding the number of requisition, total blood unit replaced, blood group and socio-demographic profile of patients.Results: Of 648 transfusion units dispatched, 131 and 324 patients were male and female respectively, B positive blood group were most common, followed by A positive, O positive, AB positive, A negative, O negative and AB negative respectively. The largest numbers of requisitions were from Gynecology and Obstetric department in the hospital of 258 requisitions followed by internal medicine, surgery department, postoperative ward and orthopaedic department. Majority of the requisitions were for 20-29 years age group from the local district Morang. The total blood units replaced were 75, of which 29 and 46 of male and female respectively. Conclusions: B Positive was the predominant requested blood group with Gynecology and Obstetrics department making the most requests, among 20-29 years age group from Morang district. The total replaced blood units were less in number with some requisition forms even lacked essential details.</p

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Production, Characterization, and Industrial Application of Pectinase Enzyme Isolated from Fungal Strains

Pectinases are the group of enzymes that catalyze the degradation of pectic substances. It has wide applications in food industries for the production and clarification of wines and juices. The aim of this study was to isolate, screen and characterize pectinase from fungi isolated from various soil samples and evaluate its application in juice clarification. Fungal strains were isolated and screened primarily using 1% citruspectin incorporated potato dextrose agar (PDA) and secondarily using pectinase screening agar medium (PSAM) for pectinolytic organisms. The enzyme was produced by submerged state fermentation and assayed using the dinitro salicylic acid (DNS) method. From 20 different soil samples, 55 fungal isolates were screened primarily and, among them, only 14 isolates were subjected for secondary screening. Out of 14, only four strains showed the highest pectinolytic activity. Among four strains, Aspergillus spp. Gm showed the highest enzyme production at a 48-h incubation period, 1% substrate concentration, and 30 &deg;C temperature. The thermal stability assessment resulted that the activity of pectinase enzyme declines by 50% within 10 min of heating at 60 &deg;C. The optimum temperature, pH, and substrate concentration for the activity of enzyme was 30 &deg;C (75.4 U/mL), 5.8 (72.3 U/mL), and 0.5% (112.0 U/mL), respectively. Furthermore, the yield of the orange juice, the total soluble solid (TSS), and clarity (% transmittance) was increased as the concentration of the pectinase increased, indicating its potential use in juice processing. Overall, the strain Aspergillus spp. Gm was identified as a potent strain for pectinase production in commercial scale