Blockchain-Based Decentralized Knowledge Marketplace Using Active Inference

A knowledge market can be described as a type of market where there is a consistent supply of data to satisfy the demand for information and is responsible for the mapping of potential problem solvers with the entities which need these solutions. It is possible to define them as value-exchange systems in which the dynamic features of the creation and exchange of intellectual assets serve as the fundamental drivers of the frequency, nature, and outcomes of interactions among various stakeholders. Furthermore, the provision of financial backing for research is an essential component in the process of developing a knowledge market that is capable of enduring over time, and it is also an essential driver of the progression of scientific investigation. This paper underlines flaws associated with the conventional knowledge-based market, including but not limited to excessive financing concentration, ineffective information exchange, a lack of security, mapping of entities, etc. The authors present a decentralized framework for the knowledge marketplace incorporating technologies such as blockchain, active inference, zero-knowledge proof, etc. The proposed decentralized framework provides not only an efficient mapping mechanism to map entities in the marketplace but also a more secure and controlled way to share knowledge and services among various stakeholders

The Rosiglitazone Controversy : The Indian Perspective

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Understanding the Modus Operandi of Class II KNOX Transcription Factors in Secondary Cell Wall Biosynthesis

Lignocellulosic biomass from the secondary cell walls of plants has a veritable potential to provide some of the most appropriate raw materials for producing second-generation biofuels. Therefore, we must first understand how plants synthesize these complex secondary cell walls that consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in order to deconstruct them later on into simple sugars to produce bioethanol via fermentation. Knotted-like homeobox (KNOX) genes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors (TFs) that modulate various important developmental processes in plants. While Class I KNOX TF genes are mainly expressed in the shoot apical meristems of both monocot and eudicot plants and are involved in meristem maintenance and/or formation, Class II KNOX TF genes exhibit diverse expression patterns and their precise functions have mostly remained unknown, until recently. The expression patterns of Class II KNOX TF genes in Arabidopsis, namely KNAT3, KNAT4, KNAT5, and KNAT7, suggest that TFs encoded by at least some of these genes, such as KNAT7 and KNAT3, may play a significant role in secondary cell wall formation. Specifically, the expression of the KNAT7 gene is regulated by upstream TFs, such as SND1 and MYB46, while KNAT7 interacts with other cell wall proteins, such as KNAT3, MYB75, OFPs, and BLHs, to regulate secondary cell wall formation. Moreover, KNAT7 directly regulates the expression of some xylan synthesis genes. In this review, we summarize the current mechanistic understanding of the roles of Class II KNOX TFs in secondary cell wall formation. Recent success with the genetic manipulation of Class II KNOX TFs suggests that this may be one of the biotechnological strategies to improve plant feedstocks for bioethanol production

Diabetes Care in India

Background: Diabetes has become a major health care problem in India with an estimated 66.8 million people suffering from the condition, representing the largest number of any country in the world. Objective: The rising burden of diabetes has greatly affected the health care sector and economy in India. The goal of health care experts in India is to transform India into a diabetes care capital in the world. Methods: An expert detailed review of the medical literature with an Asian Indian context was performed. Findings: Recent epidemiologic studies from India point to a great burden from diabetes. Diabetes control in India is far from ideal with a mean hemoglobin A1c of 9.0%—at least 2.0% higher than suggested by international bodies. Nearly half of people with diabetes remain undetected, accounting for complications at the time of diagnosis. Screening can differentiate an asymptomatic individual at high risk from one at low risk for diabetes. Despite the large number of people with diabetes in India, awareness is low and needs to be addressed. Other challenges include balancing the need for glycemic control with risk reduction due to overly tight control, especially in high-risk groups and taking into account health care professional expertise, attitudes, and perceptions. Pharmacologic care should be individualized with early consideration of combination therapy. Regular exercise, yoga, mindful eating, and stress management form a cornerstone in the management of diabetes. Conclusions: Considering the high cost incurred at various steps of screening, diagnosis, monitoring, and management, it is important to realize the cost-effective measures of diabetes care that are necessary to implement. Result-oriented organized programs involving patient education, as well as updating the medical fraternity on various developments in the management of diabetes, are required to combat the current diabetes epidemic in India

Offline Handwriting Recognition Using Genetic Algorithm

In this paper, a new method for offline handwriting recognition is presented. A robust algorithm for handwriting segmentation has been described here with the help of which individual characters can be segmented from a word selected from a paragraph of handwritten text image which is given as input to the module. Then each of the segmented characters are converted into column vectors of 625 values that are later fed into the advanced neural network setup that has been designed in the form of text files. The networks has been designed with quadruple layered neural network with 625 input and 26 output neurons each corresponding to a character from a-z, the outputs of all the four networks is fed into the genetic algorithm which has been developed using the concepts of correlation, with the help of this the overall network is optimized with the help of genetic algorithm thus providing us with recognized outputs with great efficiency of 71%

Challenges in Diabetes Care in India : Sheer Numbers, Lack of Awareness and Inadequate Control

Abstract With an estimated 40 million people suffering from the condition, the largest in any country in the world, diabetes has become a major health care problem in India. Recent epidemiological studies from India point to the great burden due to diabetes and its micro and macrovascular complications. This is primarily because the status of diabetes control in India is far from ideal. Based on the available data, the mean glycated hemoglobin levels are around 9% which is at least 2% higher than the goal currently suggested by international bodies. The IMPROVE study has helped identify the barriers to good control of diabetes both among patients as well as physicians in today’s practice. However the recent ACCORD study points to the dangers of overaggressive treatment, especially in high risk in elderly patients. A balanced approach to improve awareness about diabetes and its control both among patients and the medical fraternity is urgent need of the hour in India. The associated risks of tight control in high risk groups should also be kept in mind

Truth in a pill

In 1937, the elixir sulphanilamide disaster was one of the mass poisonings. It occurs due to the presence of the diluent diethylene glycol in the elixir preparation of sulphanilamide. Because of its therapeutic use, around 100 patients died. In response to the calamity, Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act was passed in the year 1938 by U.S congress and this ensured the proof of safety before the drug comes to market. The similar incident occurred for thalidomide in late 1950s and early 1960s when the drug was used for the treatment of nausea in pregnant women and resulted in children with birth defects. The development of drugs is a complex and costly process and it takes around 10-15 years for the drug to develop. Because of these reasons, the development of generic drugs is essential and this review will deal about the use of generic drugs and also its advantages with limitations

Generation of Electricity using Wind Energy Produced due to the Motion of Trains

The aim of this work is to generate free electricity for general use, through wind energy which is created due to the motion of trains. This is achieved by using a low friction ball bearing sensitive dynamo (22V, 100mA) with adjustments such that it can support a fan and using it practically as a small wind turbine. By creating a closely developed arrangements of many such dynamos around tracks, supported by feeding the outputs of all these dynamos systematically to a central electrical transmission line we can feed all the energy produced to a battery for further use. Keywords: Energy, Free, Electricity, Wind, Train

Chameleon Devices: Investigating More Secure and Discreet Mobile Interactions via Active Camouflaging

Many users value the ability to have quick and frequent sight of their mobiles when in public settings. However, in doing so, they expose themselves to potential risks, ranging from being targets of robbery to the more subtle social losses through being seen to be rude or inattentive to those around them. In nature, some animals can blend into their environments to avoid being eaten or to reduce their impact on the ecosystem around them. Taking inspiration from these evolved systems we investigate the notion of chameleon approaches for mobile interaction design. Our probes were motivated, inspired and refined through extended interactions with people drawn from contexts with differing ranges of security and privacy concerns. Through deployments on users’ own devices, our prototypes show the value of the concept. The encouraging results motivate further research in materials and form factors that can provide more effective automatic plain-sight hiding