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Blockchain-enabled multi-authorization and multi-cloud attribute-based keyword search over encrypted data in the cloud
No full textWith the arrival of the 5G era, fast and secure data sharing is attracting increased attention. Among of the presented solutions, keyword search plays an important role since it can identify users and search ciphertext without decryption. However, the existing searchable algorithms have many limitations, such as powerful central authority, match processes being only carried out on the cloud server, and center corruption and single point of failure being easy to cause. Presently, the fairness of the keyword search is still a challenge. To solve these problems, we present a multi-authority and multi-cloud keyword search scheme based on the consortium blockchain and attribute-based encryption. Under this framework, multi-cloud block storage technique is used to address the unreliability of cloud servers, where at least two ciphertext files are stored in blocks on multiple cloud servers. It can resist malicious leaks, ciphertext tampering, and deletion of ciphertext by cloud servers. Blockchain allows the proposed scheme to achieve the integrity and correctness of the encrypted data, which also solves the fairness of search results. Furthermore, the scheme realizes privacy protection by hiding the keyword and the access policy in the trapdoor matching process. Finally, the security analyses and performance comparisons show the advantages of the proposed scheme over the existing work
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals differential expression of EGFL7 and VEGF in giant-cell tumor of bone and osteosarcoma
No full textDysregulation of angiogenesis is associated with tumor development and is accompanied by altered expression of pro-angiogenic factors. EGFL7 is a newly identified antigenic factor that plays a role in various cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia. We have recently found that EGFL7 is expressed in the bone microenvironment, but its role in giant-cell tumor of bone (GCTB) and osteosarcoma (OS) is unknown. The aims of this study are to examine the gene expression profile of EGFL7 in GCTB and OS and compare with that of VEGF-A-D and TNFSF11 using single-cell RNA sequencing data. In-depth differential expression analyses were employed to characterize their expression in the constituent cell types of GCTB and OS. Notably, EGFL7 in GCTB was expressed at highest levels in the endothelial cell (EC) cluster followed by osteoblasts, myeloid cells, and chondrocytes, respectively. In OS, EGFL7 exhibited highest expression in EC cell cluster followed by osteoblastic OS cells, myeloid cells 1, and carcinoma associated fibroblasts (CAFs), respectively. In comparison, VEGF-A is expressed at highest levels in myeloid cells followed by OCs in GCTB, and in myeloid cells, and OCs in OS. VEGF-B is expressed at highest levels in chondrocytes in GCTB and in OCs in OS. VEGF-C is strongly enriched in ECs and VEGF-D is expressed at weak levels in all cell types in both GCTB and OS. TNFSF11 (or RANKL) shows high expression in CAFs and osteoblastic OS cells in OS, and osteoblasts in GCTB. This study investigates pro-angiogenic genes in GCTB and OS and suggests that these genes and their expression patterns are cell-type specific and could provide potential prognostic biomarkers and cell type target treatment for GCTB and OS
Parents’ awareness of antimicrobial resistance: a qualitative study utilising the Health Belief Model in Perth, Western Australia
Get PDFObjective: This study aimed to determine local factors that promote or prevent parents’ responsible use of antibiotics for their children in Perth, Western Australia.
Methods: The Health Belief Model was used to guide this study. Four focus group discussions were conducted, with 26 participants. Participants were recruited purposively through a parent group organisation. The Framework Method was utilised to analyse the data.
Results: Participants agreed that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious health problem. However, participants admitted that they lacked awareness of AMR, inhibiting their ability to assess the risks of developing AMR infections among their children. Participants knew the indications and risks of antibiotic use but still viewed antibiotics as a time-saving solution that minimised disruption to their routine. Participants’ previous experiences in managing their children's illness increased their confidence and linked their positive and negative experiences with their general practitioners in their judicious use of antibiotics.
Conclusions: While parents demonstrated awareness of the indications of antibiotics, they continue to lack AMR awareness and overvalue antibiotics.
Implications for public health: The findings highlight that incorporating parent empowerment and participation in decision-making regarding antibiotics use, and maintaining a positive relationship with healthcare providers, were important strategies to encourage the appropriate use of antibiotics
Links between soilborne pathogens, plant parasitic nematodes, farm management and biophysical constraints in a southern Australian rainfed cropping system
Get PDFContext: Rotations in rainfed farming systems of southwest Australia have shifted towards intensified cropping and it is necessary to reassess soilborne pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes within this context.
Aims: We tested the hypothesis that these recent changes in rotations and agronomy have altered the efficacy with which rotations reduce the incidence of common root pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes.
Methods: We tracked changes in common pathogen DNA in soil and the incidence and severity of crop root damage in 184 paddocks, over 6 years from 2010 to 2015, and related this to farmer practices.
Key results: Overall, severe root damage was rare, with 72% of plant samples showing no damage or only a trace and only 1% severely damaged. We found that the reduction of paddocks in pasture and resultant very low weed populations, combined with early sowing, reduced persistence of pathogens and nematode pests. But some aspects of crop management had the opposite effect: high rates of herbicide, increased frequency of cereals and canola at the expense of lupin and increased N fertiliser use.
Conclusions: Current agronomic practices and the frequency of non-host crops in rotations appear to be effective in controlling common root pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes. But the aspects of agronomic management that increased populations of pathogens should be applied cautiously.
Implications: Studies such as this that link multiple productivity constraints, such as pathogens and nematode pests, weeds and nutrients, to management practices are important to understand the sustainability of current or proposed production methods
Repurposing N-doped grape marc for the fabrication of supercapacitors with theoretical and machine learning models
Get PDFPorous carbon derived from grape marc (GM) was synthesized via carbonization and chemical activation processes. Extrinsic nitrogen (N)-dopant in GM, activated by KOH, could render its potential use in supercapacitors effective. The effects of chemical activators such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) were studied to compare their activating power toward the development of pore-forming mechanisms in a carbon electrode, making them beneficial for energy storage. GM carbon impregnated with KOH for activation (KAC), along with urea as the N-dopant (KACurea), exhibited better morphology, hierarchical pore structure, and larger surface area (1356 m2 g−1) than the GM carbon activated by ZnCl2 (ZnAC). Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) investigations showed that the presence of N-dopant on a graphite surface enhances the chemisorption of O adsorbates due to the enhanced charge-transfer mechanism. KACurea was tested in three aqueous electrolytes with different ions (LiOH, NaOH, and NaClO4), which delivered higher specific capacitance, with the NaOH electrolyte exhibiting 139 F g−1 at a 2 mA current rate. The NaOH with the alkaline cation Na+ offered the best capacitance among the electrolytes studied. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) model was employed to describe the effects of synthesis conditions and physicochemical and electrochemical parameters to predict the capacitance and power outputs. The proposed MLP showed higher accuracy, with an R2 of 0.98 for capacitance prediction
Local fisher knowledge reveals changes in size of blue swimmer crabs in small-scale fisheries
No full textFisheries stock status is generally based on time series catch and effort data sourced from independent surveys and the fishery. These methods are often expensive and can be limited temporally and spatially. Alternative methods include the use of local fisher knowledge (LFK) to identify observed changes in catch. The blue swimmer crab (Portunus armatus) supports a small-scale commercial fishery and one of the most popular recreational fisheries in south-western Australia. Previous studies identified concerns from recreational fishers over its long-term sustainability. To understand if fishers’ perceptions of change provide useful information on actual changes in the fisheries, a triangulation approach was used to assess changes in size and abundance of crabs in two estuaries (Peel-Harvey and Swan-Canning). Three types of data were used: (i) fisher recollections from 1940s to 2010s, including face-to-face interviews and online surveys; (ii) historical records from newspaper articles from 1900 to 2000; and (iii) quantitative data on size between 2006/07 and 2018/19. Results identified: (i) crabs were smaller in the Peel-Harvey, a consistent difference identified in all data sources; (ii) crab size was perceived to have decreased in the Peel-Harvey; (iii) inter-generational differences in fishers’ perceptions regarding size changes over time; and (iv) historical evidence of persistent fishers’ concerns and perceptions of changes in the fishery and wider environment. These findings are evidence of a likely decline in the average size of crabs in south-western Australia over the last century, particularly in the Peel-Harvey, and demonstrate that LFK may be a valuable source of information particularly when other data sources are lacking
Corrigendum: Analysis of pathogenic pseudoexons reveals novel mechanisms driving cryptic splicing
Get PDFQTL mapping for resistance against cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Get PDFThe resistance to cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied using 114 doubled haploid lines from a novel ITMI mapping population. These lines were screened for nematode infestation in a controlled environment for two years. QTL-mapping analyses were performed across two years (Y1 and Y2) as well as combining two years (CY) data. On the 114 lines that were screened, a total of 2,736 data points (genotype, batch or years, and replication combinations) were acquired. For QTL analysis, 12,093 markers (11,678 SNPs and 415 SSRs markers) were used, after filtering the genotypic data, for the QTL mapping. Composite interval mapping, using Haley-Knott regression (hk) method in R/QTL, was used for QTL analysis. In total, 19 QTLs were detected out of which 13 were novel and six were found to be colocalized or nearby to previously reported Cre genes, QTLs or MTAs for H. avenae or H. filipjevi. Nine QTLs were detected across all three groups (Y1, Y2 and CY) including a significant QTL "QCcn.ha-2D" on chromosome 2D that explains 23% of the variance. This QTL colocalized with a previously identified Cre3 locus. Novel QTL, QCcn.ha-2A, detected in the present study could be the possible unreported homeoloci to QCcn.ha-2D, QCcn.ha-2B.1 and QCcn.ha-2B.2. Six significant digenic epistatic interactions were also observed. In addition, 26 candidate genes were also identified including genes known for their involvement in PPNs (plant parasitic nematodes) resistance in different plant species. In-silico expression of putative candidate genes showed differential expression in roots during specific developmental stages. Results obtained in the present study are useful for wheat breeding to generate resistant genetic resources against H. avenae
Metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiota in piglets either challenged or not with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli reveals beneficial effects of probiotics on microbiome composition, resistome, digestive function and oxidative stress responses
Get PDFThis study used metagenomic analysis to investigate the gut microbiota and resistome in piglets that were or were not challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and had or had not received dietary supplementation with microencapsulated probiotics. The 72 piglets belonged to six groups that were either non-ETEC challenged (groups 1–3) or ETEC challenged (receiving 5ml of 109 CFU/ml pathogenic ETEC strain L3.2 one week following weaning at three weeks of age: groups 4–6). On five occasions at 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14 days of piglet age, groups 2 and 5 were supplemented with 109 CFU/ml of multi-strain probiotics (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains 22F and 25F, and Pediococcus acidilactici 72N) while group 4 received 109 CFU/ml of P. acidilactici 72N. Group 3 received 300mg/kg chlortetracycline in the weaner diet to mimic commercial conditions. Rectal faecal samples were obtained for metagenomic and resistome analysis at 2 days of age, and at 12 hours and 14 days after the timing of post-weaning challenge with ETEC. The piglets were all euthanized at 42 days of age. The piglets in groups 2 and 5 were enriched with several desirable microbial families, including Lactobacillaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, while piglets in group 3 had increases in members of the Bacteroidaceae family and exhibited an increase in tetW and tetQ genes. Group 5 had less copper and multi-biocide resistance. Mobile genetic elements IncQ1 and IncX4 were the most prevalent replicons in antibiotic-fed piglets. Only groups 6 and 3 had the integrase gene (intl) class 2 and 3 detected, respectively. The insertion sequence (IS) 1380 was prevalent in group 3. IS3 and IS30, which are connected to dietary intake, were overrepresented in group 5. Furthermore, only group 5 showed genes associated with detoxification, with enrichment of genes associated with oxidative stress, glucose metabolism, and amino acid metabolism compared to the other groups. Overall, metagenomic analysis showed that employing a multi-strain probiotic could transform the gut microbiota, reduce the resistome, and boost genes associated with food metabolism
Interactions between ewes and rams during mating can be used to predict lambing dates accurately, but not sire
Get PDFEwes often lamb over extended periods so the level of nutrition during pregnancy and lambing may be suboptimal for ewes that conceived later during mating. Predicting lambing dates would allow cohorts of ewes with similar gestational ages to be managed more precisely to achieve targets for ewe nutrition, feed on offer, mob sizes and access to shelter to improve lamb survival. The interactions between ewes and rams during mating have been used to predict the time of oestrus and lambing dates successfully, but this has not been tested at a commercial scale. In this study, proximity sensors were used to measure interactions between inexperienced Merino ewes (n = 317) and experienced rams (n = 9) during a 27-day mating period under commercial production conditions. When the gestation length was assumed to be 150 days, 91% of lambing dates were predicted within ±6 days of the actual birth date of lambs and 84% of lambing dates were predicted within ±3 days. The use of proximity sensors during mating was an effective means of predicting lambing dates, and there was no significant difference in accuracy for single bearing verses multiple bearing ewes. However, DNA parentage data showed the ram corresponding with the maximum daily interactions ratio was the sire for only 16% of all progeny, suggesting they could not be used to indicate the sire of the progeny