Recent advances in aerial robotics and wireless transceivers have generated an enormous interest in networks constituted by multiple compact unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAV adhoc networks, i.e., ...aerial networks with dynamic topology and no centralized control, are found suitable for a unique set of applications, yet their operation is vulnerable to cyberattacks. In many applications, such as IoT networks or emergency failover networks, UAVs augment and provide support to the sensor nodes or mobile nodes in the ground network in data acquisition and also improve the overall network performance. In this situation, ensuring the security of the adhoc UAV network and the integrity of data is paramount to accomplishing network mission objectives. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to secure UAV adhoc networks, referred to as the blockchain-assisted security framework (BCSF). We demonstrate that the proposed system provides security without sacrificing the performance of the network through blockchain technology adopted to the priority of the message to be communicated over the adhoc UAV network. Theoretical analysis for computing average latency is performed based on queuing theory models followed by an evaluation of the proposed BCSF approach through simulations that establish the superior performance of the proposed methodology in terms of transaction delay, data secrecy, data recovery, and energy efficiency.
Energy storage batteries have been described as an ideal way to solve renewable energy problems, improve self-consumption rate (ScR), and pave the way for further growth in renewables penetration. In ...this work, an optimization framework is proposed to enhance a grid-connected microgrid performance in three stages. The first stage epitomizes maximization of the ScR of the highly-penetrated renewables hosted in the microgrid considered via sodium sulfur batteries allocation. The second stage epitomizes the minimization of the active power losses. The third stage epitomizes the calculation of the optimal energy management relying on diminishing the overall microgrid’s cost of operation depending on the optimal findings of the earlier two stages. The coronavirus herd immunity optimization algorithm is applied on MATLAB’s platform to solve the engineering problem formulated. Numerous linear and nonlinear constraints have been taken into account. The results have gotten validate the usefulness of the developed solutions and algorithm application.
Evaluating students' professional training satisfaction with operative dentistry teaching and curriculum can help identify their educational needs and improve the quality of the education imparted. ...This study aimed to assess the professional training satisfaction of senior undergraduate dental students in Saudi Arabia from the operative dentistry course teaching and its curriculum at different levels and among genders.A total of 193 (109 male, 56.48%; and 84 female, 43.52%) students participated in the survey. The respondents were at the 10th, 11th, and 12th levels of the Operative Dentistry course in a ratio of 34.2%, 32.1%, and 33.7%, respectively. Data were collected from survey items (18 questions) covering 6 areas: learning objectives, course materials, content relevance, instructor knowledge, instructor delivery and style, and facility and environment. Descriptive and analytical tests were performed using SPSS Software 19, with the significance level set at 0.05.A high level of satisfaction was seen among level 10 (68.18%), 11 (79.03%), and 12 (86.15%) students. A significant statistical difference was observed among level 10 students with a low level of satisfaction and a high level of satisfaction (P = .045). The percentage of satisfaction increased with the level. A high level of satisfaction was seen among male (78.90%) and female (76.19%) students, with a total satisfaction level of 77.72%.Continuous evaluation and assessment of teaching and curriculum can be a tool to improve the quality of education imparted, especially in clinical courses such as operative dentistry. This helps to prepare students for their professional life as healthcare providers. The role of teaching skills related to amalgam must be re-evaluated. It is recommended to include student representation and participation in course development committees, as they are the final recipients of the educational process.
The beta-logarithmic function substantially generalizes the standard beta function, which is widely recognized for its significance in many applications. This article is devoted to the study of a ...generalization of the classical beta-logarithmic function in a matrix setting called the extended beta-logarithmic matrix function. The proofs of some essential properties of this extension, such as convergence, partial derivative formulas, functional relations, integral representations, inequalities, and finite and infinite sums, are established. Moreover, an application of the extended beta-logarithmic function in matrix arguments is proposed in probability theory. Further, numerical examples and graphical presentations of the new generalization are obtained.
In this study, elastic nanovesicles, constructed of phospholipids optimized by Quality by Design (QbD), release 6-gingerol (6-G), a natural chemical that may alleviate osteoporosis and ...musculoskeletal-related pain. A 6-gingerol-loaded transfersome (6-GTF) formulation was developed using a thin film and sonication approach. 6-GTFs were optimized using BBD. Vesicle size, PDI, zeta potential, TEM,
drug release, and antioxidant activity were evaluated for the 6-GTF formulation. The optimized 6-GTF formulation had a 160.42 nm vesicle size, a 0.259 PDI, and a -32.12 mV zeta potential. TEM showed sphericity. The 6-GTF formulation's
drug release was 69.21%, compared to 47.71% for the pure drug suspension. The Higuchi model best described 6-G release from transfersomes, while the Korsmeyer-Peppas model supported non-Fickian diffusion. 6-GTF had more antioxidant activity than the pure 6-G suspension. The optimized transfersome formulation was converted into a gel to improve skin retention and efficacy. The optimized gel had a spreadability of 13.46 ± 4.42 g·cm/s and an extrudability of 15.19 ± 2.01 g/cm
. The suspension gel had a 1.5 μg/cm
/h ex vivo skin penetration flux, while the 6-GTF gel had 2.71 μg/cm
/h. Rhodamine B-loaded TF gel reached deeper skin layers (25 μm) compared to the control solution in the CLSM study. The gel formulation's pH, drug concentration, and texture were assessed. This study developed QbD-optimized 6-gingerol-loaded transfersomes. 6-GTF gel improved skin absorption, drug release, and antioxidant activity. These results show that the 6-GTF gel formulation has the ability to treat pain-related illnesses effectively. Hence, this study offers a possible topical treatment for conditions connected to pain.
The role that vehicular fog computing based on the Fifth Generation (5G) can play in improving traffic management and motorist safety is growing quickly. The use of wireless technology within a ...vehicle raises issues of confidentiality and safety. Such concerns are optimal targets for conditional privacy-preserving authentication (CPPA) methods. However, current CPPA-based systems face a challenge when subjected to attacks from quantum computers. Because of the need for security and anti-piracy features in fog computing when using a 5G-enabled vehicle system, the L-CPPA scheme is proposed in this article. Using a fog server, secret keys are generated and transmitted to each registered car via a 5G-Base Station (5G-BS) in the proposed L-CPPA system. In the proposed L-CPPA method, the trusted authority, rather than the vehicle's Onboard Unit (OBU), stores the vehicle's master secret data to each fog server. Finally, the computation cost of the suggested L-CPPA system regards message signing, single verification and batch verification is 694.161 ms, 60.118 ms, and 1348.218 ms, respectively. Meanwhile, the communication cost is 7757 bytes.
The objective of this investigation was to develop nanoemulsion formulations of Eucalyptus essential oil (EEO) and to evaluate its wound healing effects in comparison with standard gentamycin in rat ...model. Various nanoemulsionns of EEO were prepared using aqueous phase titration method and the zones of nanoemulsion were identified by the construction of phase diagrams. EEO nanoemulsions were investigated in terms of physical stability, self-nanoemulsification efficiency and physicochemical characterization. Optimized nanoemulsion of EEO was selected for wound healing study, collagen estimation and histopathological evaluation in rats in comparison with pure EEO and standard gentamycin. Optimized nanoemulsion presented significant would healing activity in rats as compared with pure EEO upon oral administration. The wound healing activity of optimized nanoemulsion was comparable with standard gentamycin. Optimized EEO nanoemulsion also presented significant enhancement in collagen content as compared with pure EEO and negative control. However, the collagen contents of optimized nanoemulsion treated animals were comparable with standard gentamycin-treated animals. Histopathological studies of optimized nanoemulsion treated rats showed no signs of inflammatory cells which suggested the safety and non-toxicity of EEO nanoemulsion. This study suggested the potential of nanoemulsion in enhancing the wound healing activity of EEO upon oral administration.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium causing several health problems and having many virulence factors like biofilm formation on different surfaces. There is a significant need to ...develop new antimicrobials due to the spreading resistance to the commonly used antibiotics, partly attributed to biofilm formation. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing activities of Dioon spinulosum, Dyer Ex Eichler extract (DSE), against Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. DSE exhibited a reduction in the biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa isolates both in vitro and in vivo rat models. It also resulted in a decrease in cell surface hydrophobicity and exopolysaccharide quantity of P. aeruginosa isolates. Both bright field and scanning electron microscopes provided evidence for the inhibiting ability of DSE on biofilm formation. Moreover, it reduced violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum (ATCC 12,472). It decreased the relative expression of 4 quorum sensing genes (lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR) and the biofilm gene (ndvB) using qRT-PCR. Furthermore, DSE presented a cytotoxic activity with IC
of 4.36 ± 0.52 µg/ml against human skin fibroblast cell lines. For the first time, this study reports that DSE is a promising resource of anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing agents.
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