Primitives towards verifiable computation: a survey

Verifiable computation (VC) paradigm has got the captivation that in real term is highlighted by the concept of third party computation. In more explicate terms, VC allows resource constrained clients/organizations to securely outsource expensive computations to untrusted service providers, while acquiring the publicly or privately verifiable results. Many mainstream solutions have been proposed to address the diverse problems within the VC domain. Some of them imposed assumptions over performed computations, while the others took advantage of interactivity /non-interactivity, zero knowledge proofs, and arguments. Further proposals utilized the powers of probabilistic checkable or computationally sound proofs. In this survey, we present a chronological study and classify the VC proposals based on their adopted domains. First, we provide a broader overview of the theoretical advancements while critically analyzing them. Subsequently, we present a comprehensive view of their utilization in the state of the art VC approaches. Moreover, a brief overview of recent proof based VC systems is also presented that lifted up the VC domain to the verge of practicality. We use the presented study and reviewed results to identify the similarities and alterations, modifications, and hybridization of different approaches, while comparing their advantages and reporting their overheads. Finally, we discuss implementation of such VC based systems, their applications, and the likely future directions.     

Role of size scale of ZnO nanoparticles and microparticles on toxicity toward bacteria and osteoblast cancer cells

The present study describes the production of hyaluronan based porous microparticles by a semi-continuous gas anti-solvent (GAS) precipitation process to be used as a growth factor delivery system for in vivo treatment of ulcers. Operative process conditions, such as pressure, nozzle diameter and HYAFF11 solution concentrations, were adjusted to optimize particle production in terms of morphology and size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light scattering demonstrated that porous nano-structured particles with a size of 300 and 900 nm had a high specific surface suitable for absorption of growth factors from the aqueous environment within the polymeric matrix. Water acted as a plasticizer, enhancing growth factor absorption. Water contents within the HYAFF11 matrix were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The absorption process was developed using fluorescence dyes and growth factors. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the high efficiency of absorption of growth factor and a mathematical model was generated to quantify and qualify the in vitro kinetics of growth factor release within the polymeric matrix. In vivo experiments were performed with the aim to optimize timed and focal release of PDGF to promote optimal tissue repair and regeneration of full-thickness wounds.     

Economically optimized electricity trade modeling: Iran–Turkey case

The advantages of power trade between countries, which are attainable for various facts, are distinguished now. Daily differences in the peak-load times of neighboring countries commonly occur for differences in the longitudes of their location. Seasonal differences are also caused by differences in the latitudes leading to different climates. Consequently, different load curves help to have such a production schedule that reduces blackouts and investments for power generation by planning for a proper trade between countries in a region. This paper firstly describes the methodology and framework for the power trade and then the results of an optimal power trade model between Iran and Turkey, which shows a potential benefit for both countries by peak shaving, are presented. The results, in the worst case design, represent optimality of about 1500 MW electricity export from Iran to Turkey at the Turkish peak times, as well as 447 MW electricity import from Turkey at the Iranian peak times. In addition, results derived from running a Long-Run model show that there will be greater potential for power export from Iran to Turkey, which is a guideline of an energy conservation strategy for both countries in the future.     

Potential of thermophilic amylolytic bacteria for growth in unconventional media: Potato peels

Extremozymes have gained high level of popularity for their industrial relevance. In this regard four thermophilic bacterial isolates were isolated from hot spring Chakwal in Pakistan. All the strains were screened for amylolytic activity by producing zone of clearance on starch agar plates. The bacterial isolates were cultivated employing potato peels as major energy source. All the four bacterial strains were Gram positive, motile, endospore formers and were positive for catalase and oxidase tests. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences confirmed that all the strains were belonged to the Bacillus licheniformis with 98–99% similarity under Accession numbers KF424263, KF424264, KF424265, and KF424266 for KA2, KA5, KA6, and KA9, respectively. The pH, temperature, oxygen requirement, and inocula size of the medium were optimized, which could yield amylase up to 0.61 U while growing in potato peels based media. Besides being thermostable, the enzymes have a working pH range of 5–9. The isolate KA2 showed maximum threefold purification, and percentage yield was estimated to be 93.06% as compared to crude enzyme. They yielded enough protein suggesting their potential in industrial applications in unconventional and economical substrate.

Practical applications

Amylases produced in this study could be utilized in starch hydrolysis for the production bioethanol and can be employed in different industries like food, paper, and detergent for various purposes. In addition, production of efficient amylases resolves the waste management problem of agro‐industrial waste of potato peels.     

Chemical characterization of lysyl oxidase inhibitor from avocado seed oil

The active factor of lysyl oxidase inhibition was separated from unsaponifiables of avocado seed oil and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results indicated the presence of furan-containing lipids in the active factor mixture and also showed a structural difference compared to previously reported furan-containing lipids of avocado which relates to the length of the hydrocarbon chain substituent. Another structural difference evinced was the availability of the hydroxyl group in the aliphatic moiety of the investigated substances. A purified mixture of furan-containing compounds was testedin vitro for inhibitory activity on pure bovine aorta lysyl oxidase. It was shown that mixing furan-containing lipids in Tween 80 reversibly inhibited pure bovine aorta lysyl oxidase activity against tritiated recombinant tropoelastin with the I₅₀ value of inhibition of 105 μM. Thesein vitro studies suggested that the mixture of avocado seed oil furan-containing lipids was not a substrate-specific inhibitor of lysyl oxidase, and it might prove to be useful as a potential antifibrotic drug. Moreover, the unique chemistry of the studied compound for lysyl oxidase inhibition should enable the designing of new probes of the active site of this important enzyme.     

Effect of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on the structure and antioxidant activity of bovine serum albumin (BSA)

This study was aimed to determine the influence of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with a plasma intensity (20 and 40 kV) and treatment times (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 min) on the physicochemical, structural and antioxidant properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. In results, the free sulphydryl content, pH and free amino group contents, while carbonyl groups and surface hydrophobicity were increased after the plasma treatment. After plasma treatment, there is also an increase in the DPPH and FRAP assay that was associated with the changes in the structure of the peptides chain. The complementary techniques were employed to identify the protein structural modifications by plasma treatment. These changes were more severe at the most extended treatment duration and plasma intensity. The high energetic and oxidising species carried by plasma may have significant associations on the structural and physical properties of BSA.     

Engineered polymer-based scaffold as an implantable therapeutic vaccine against melanoma

Although tumor-antigen-based therapeutic cancer vaccines are a potential cancer immunotherapy strategy, recent clinical trials show low efficacy for multiple reasons. One method that has been recently investigated to improve the efficacy of therapeutic cancer vaccines is the development of implantable vaccines for sustained delivery of antigens and CD8 T cell activation. Here, we optimized the composition for an implantable vaccine scaffold composed of alginate, polyvinyl alcohol, and poly(methyl vinyl ether- alt-maleic anhydride) loaded with tumor antigens. Considering the adjuvant property of aluminum compounds, aluminum ion was used to crosslink alginate in the scaffold. The scaffold showed an effective antigen incorporation efficiency of 90.34 ± 0.55% using ovalbumin as the model antigen and 89.67 ± 2.8% using B16-F10 cell lysate. SEM analysis of the scaffold showed pore size ranging from 5 to 10 μm. Cell viability analysis using mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages proved the cytocompatibility of the scaffold. In vitro antigen release studies using ovalbumin showed 8.42% release for a period of 14 days. In vivo antitumor analysis carried out in subcutaneous mouse B16-F10 melanoma model demonstrated that the scaffold vaccine reduced the rate of tumor growth and improved survival in tested animals. The median survival time increased from 29 days in untreated animals to 58 days in scaffold vaccine-implanted animals.     

Tripartite entanglement generation using cavity-QED and its dynamics in dissipative environments

We investigate the generation of tripartite field states inside the high-Q cavities using the cavity QED. The main goal is to successfully generate the entanglement in tripartite systems by passing two-level atoms through three identical high-Q cavities. Our scheme gives the successful generation of entangled tripartite W and GHZ states for pre-determined interaction times of atoms with the cavity fields. The dynamics of initial entangled states is studied as the system evolves in the dissipative environments.