Password-authenticated searchable encryption

International Journal of Information Security - We introduce Password Authenticated Searchable Encryption (PASE), a novel searchable encryption scheme where a single human-memorizable password can...     

A comparative study of gel polymer electrolytes based on PVDF-HFP and liquid electrolytes, containing imidazolinium ionic liquids of different carbon chain lengths in DSSCs

The photoelectrochemical characteristics of titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) containing gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) and organic liquid electrolyte (OLE) were studied in detail. GPE was prepared by adding poly(vinyidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (PVDF-HFP) to imidazolinium ionic liquids (IILs) of the type, 1-methyl-3-alkyl imidazolinium iodides (alkyl is C_nH_2n+1, where n=3–10) in methoxy propionitrile (MPN) and the OLE contained the above molten salt in MPN. The IILs were synthesized in the laboratory and characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The conductivities (σ) of both GPE and OLE decrease with increase in chain length (n) of the alkyl group of IILs; however, the effect is more drastic in the former case. The performance of the DSSCs containing OLE increases with the increase in alkyl chain length of IIL from C3 to C7, whereas, there is a linear decrease in the efficiency of the DSSCs incorporated with GPE containing IIL of alkyl chain length from C3 to C10. The change in short circuit current density (J_SC) determines the cell efficiency as the V_OC of the DSSCs remains almost the same with increase of alkyl chain length of IILs for both the electrolytes. The change in J_SC values and the consistency of the V_OC of the DSSCs for both the electrolytes may be explained on the basis of increase in viscosity of IILs from C3 to C10 and the dominating role of the 4-tertiary butyl pyridine (TBP), respectively, on the phenomenon of charge recombination.     

Molecular Characterization of Lactobacilli Isolated from Piper betle L. var. Pachaikodi and Comparative Analysis of the Antimicrobial Effects of Isolate Lactobacillus plantarum KJB23 and Betel Leaves Extract

Traditionally Piper betle L. leaves have been used in India for fermenting certain foods. In our previous study, while fermenting Uttapam batter along with Piper betle L. var. Pachaikodi leaves led to suppression of gas formation and altered Lactic acid bacteria profile, especially in bacilli isolates compared to those observed in plain Uttapam batter fermentation. Hence, the aim of the present study was to understand the rationale behind these changes through characterization of Lactobacillus isolates from Piper betle L. var. Pachaikodi and also the leaves extracts for antimicrobial activity. Out of 72 isolates obtained from the betel leaves, only 10 isolates were bacilli which were chosen for their molecular characterization and to elucidate their inhibitory effects against major food borne pathogens and gas-forming bacteria and to compare with the effect of betel leaves extract. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR and phenotype analysis was used to differentiate the isolates at strain level, 16S rRNA gene sequence for phylogenetic analysis and species-specific multiplex PCR analysis for sub-species identification. All isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum. All Lactobacillus isolates were indigenous to leaf as they were resistant to betel leaves extract and showed maximum activity against some LAB and non-LAB indicator strains except Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 6160 which was resistant. Among them, KJB23, 36 and 47 were the most effective. Particularly, the isolate KJB23 and ethanolic betal leaf extract showed rivaling inhibitory activity against major food borne pathogens, while dissimilar activity against gas forming bacteria. This study revealed that either Piper betle L. leaf or Lactobacillus strains from the leaves can be valuable for food applications when added to fermented products.     

Vanadium salts as insulin substitutes: mechanisms of action, a scientific and therapeutic tool in diabetes mellitus research

Vanadium and its compounds exhibit a wide variety of insulin-like effects. In this review, these effects are discussed with respect to the treatment of type I and type II diabetes in animal models, in vitro actions, antineoplastic role, treatment of IDDM and NIDDM patients, toxicity, and the possible mechanism(s) involved. Newly established CytPTK plays a major role in the bioresponses of vanadium. It has a molecular weight of approximately 53 kDa and is active in the presence of Co2+ rather than Mn2+. Among the protein-tyrosine kinase blockers, staurosporine is found to be a potent inhibitor of CytPTK but a poor inhibitor of InsRTK. Vanadium inhibits PTPase activity, and this in turn enhances the activity of protein tyrosine kinases. Our data show that inhibition of PTPase and protein tyrosine kinase activation has a major role in the therapeutic efficacy of vanadium in treating diabetes mellitus.     

Generating random bits from an arbitrary source: fundamental limits

Suppose we are given a random source and want to use it as a random number generator; at what rate can we generate fair bits from it? We address this question in an information-theoretic setting by allowing for some arbitrarily small but nonzero deviation from “ideal” random bits. We prove our results with three different measures of approximation between the ideal and the obtained probability distributions: the variational distance, the d-bar distance, and the normalized divergence. Two different contexts are studied: fixed-length and variable-length random number generation. The fixed-length results of this paper provide an operational characterization of the inf-entropy rate of a source, defined in Han and Verdu (see ibid., vol.39, no.3, p.752-772, 1993) and the variable-length results characterize the liminf of the entropy rate, thereby establishing a pleasing duality with the fundamental limits of source coding. A feature of our results is that we do not restrict ourselves to ergodic or to stationary sources     

STUDY OF MOLECULAR DIFFUSION IN OSCILLATING FLOW IN A PIPE USING THE BOUNDARY ELEMENT METHOD

The effect of flow oscillations on the axial diffusion of a solute in a pipe is analyzed by the boundary element method (BEM). The equation governing fluid flow is solved analytically, and from these results, the concentration equation is solved by the BEM, employing the fundamental solution of the heat equation for a general initial distribution. Since the fundamental solution itself contains a time variable, there is no need to have a separate iteration for time. The boundary and the domain are generated as in the finite element method, and these integral equations are solved with linear variations, flow variables such as velocity and skin friction are calculated, and back flow and distribution of concentration are also discussed.     

Magnetic nanowires generated via the waterborne desalting transition pathway

We report a simple and versatile waterborne synthesis of magnetic nanowires following the innovative concept of electrostatic "desalting transition". Highly persistent superparamagnetic nanowires are generated from the controlled assembly of oppositely charged nanoparticles and commercially available polyelectrolytes. The wires have diameters around 200 nm and lengths between 1 μm and 0.5 mm, with either positive or negative charges on their surface. Beyond, we show that this soft-chemistry assembly approach is a general phenomenon independent of the feature of the macromolecular building blocks, opening significant perspectives for the design of multifunctional materials.     

Fabrication of novel biofibers by coating silk fibroin with chitosan impregnated with silver nanoparticles

Nanoparticle based agents often applied as coatings on biomaterials have shown promise in delivering the improved sterility against variety of microbes. In the present study, silk fibers (SF) were coated with chitosan impregnated with silver nanoparticles (Ag–C–SF). These Ag–C–SF fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Infra Red spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Microbiological assay techniques. AFM studies have confirmed the nano sized silver particles in chitosan solution; SEM pictures have exhibited the coating of chitosan along with silver nanoparticles on the silk fibroin. The modified fibers have also shown anti-microbial activity and improved thermal stability. The Ag–C–SF fibers may be explored as wound dressing and tendon reconstruction material in future.     

A Review on Biogenic Synthesis of Selenium Nanoparticles and Its Biological Applications

In recent decades, aquaculture and environment plays a noteworthy role in rewarding the massive stipulate in all industries. Environmental damage and disease domination are seen as essential issues in the region. In addition to these, nanotechnology as a fresh and imaginative instruments were extremely feasible in aquaculture and environmental applications. Next-generation biological applications of these nanomaterials might lead to an explosion in the bio industries. In order to utilizing the nanoparticles of biogenic expansion, selenium has plays major role in the biological progresses. Selenium (Se) is a multifunctional trace element. The present review analytically intends to the potential biological applications of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Synthesis of SeNPs physical, chemical and biological methods has been used. Physical and chemical methods of SeNPs have high cost, non ecofriendly, highly time consuming. Therefore, there is a growing concern to develop eco friendly and sustainable methods for biosynthesis. Biosynthesis method has ecofriendly, low cost, nontoxic and zero contamination. Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles by plant extracts, bacteria, protein, biopolymers, seaweed extracts, fungi and yeasts have used for capping or stabilizing agents. Therefore this review represented original evidence for antibacterial, antifungal, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimosquito larvicidal and aquaculture applications of prospective biogenic SeNPs were provided in turn in this regard of literatures. Bio synthesis of SeNPs and it is used for many applications like medical, environmental and aquaculture applications. In this review study, the importance of selenium nanoparticles as a competitive element for sustainable aquaculture and environmental applications is also examined in detail.