Sharing Secret Colour Images with Embedded Visual Cryptography Using the Stamping Algorithm and OTP Procedure

Finding a way to ensure the safety of media is becoming increasingly common in the modern world as digital media usage increases. Visual cryptography (VC) offers an efficient method for sending images securely. Images that have been protected using visual encryption can be decoded using features of human vision. Emails are not a highly safe method of exchanging private data because someone else can quickly weaken the content. In the visual cryptography technique, we presented for colour pictures, the divided shares are enclosed in additional pictures using stamping. Using a random number generator, the shares are created. Visual cryptography schemes (VCS) are a method of encoding pictures that conceals the secret information which is present in images. A secret image is encrypted using a straightforward visual cryptography technique by splitting it into n shares, and the stamping operation is carried out by overlapping k shares. It can be beneficial for hiding a secret image. There is a chance that employing cryptography for information exchange could cause security problems because the process of decryption of simple visual cryptographic algorithms can be completed by the human eye. To address this issue, we are using the OTP procedure. In the past, static ID and passwords were employed, making them susceptible to replay and eavesdropping attacks. One Time Password technology, which generates a unique password each time, is utilized to solve this issue. The suggested approach strengthens the security of the created transparencies by applying an envelope to each share and employing a stamping technique to address security vulnerabilities that the previous methods had, such as pixel expansion and noise

Influence of the RNase H domain of retroviral reverse transcriptases on the metal specificity and substrate selection of their polymerase domains

Reverse transcriptases from HIV-1 and MuLV respectively prefer Mg2+ and Mn2+ for their polymerase activity, with variable fidelity, on both RNA and DNA templates. The function of the RNase H domain with respect to these parameters is not yet understood. To evaluate this function, two chimeric enzymes were constructed by swapping the RNase H domains between HIV-1 RT and MuLV RT. Chimeric HIV-1 RT, having the RNase H domain of MuLV RT, inherited the divalent cation preference characteristic of MuLV RT on the DNA template with no significant change on the RNA template. Chimeric MuLV RT, likewise partially inherited the metal ion preference of HIV-1 RT. Unlike the wild-type MuLV RT, chimeric MuLV RT is able to use both Mn.dNTP and Mg.dNTP on the RNA template with similar efficiency, while a 30-fold higher preference for Mn.dNTP was seen on the DNA template. The metal preferences for the RNase H activity of chimeric HIV-1 RT and chimeric MuLV RT were, respectively, Mn2+ and Mg2+, a property acquired through their swapped RNase H domains. Chimeric HIV-1 RT displayed higher fidelity and discrimination against rNTPs than against dNTPs substrates, a property inherited from MuLV RT. The overall fidelity of the chimeric MuLV RT was decreased in comparison to the parental MuLV RT, suggesting that the RNase H domain profoundly influences the function of the polymerase domain

Examining the Social Determinants of Health in Urban Communities: A Comparative Analysis

This comparative analysis investigates the social determinants of health (SDOH) in urban communities, aiming to discern disparities and inform targeted interventions and policies. With a focus on three key determinants socioeconomic status, housing and neighborhoods, and access to healthcare the study examines selected urban communities to illuminate the intricacies of health disparities within these contexts. The paper commences with an exploration of the background and significance of SDOH, emphasizing the crucial role they play in shaping health outcomes. The literature review provides a comprehensive overview of SDOH, offering insights into historical perspectives and unique challenges faced by urban communities.The methodology section outlines the criteria for selecting urban communities, the sources of data, and the ethical considerations guiding the research. A comparative framework is established, incorporating metrics such as income disparities, educational attainment, housing quality, neighborhood environments, and access to healthcare facilities. The analysis of these determinants reveals patterns, trends, and significant disparities among the selected urban communities, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of health inequalities.The findings section summarizes the key results, emphasizing the implications for public health. Policy recommendations and targeted interventions are discussed, emphasizing the importance of addressing SDOH to enhance overall community well-being. This comparative analysis underscores the imperative of considering SDOH in urban contexts and provides a foundation for future research and action. By delving into the intricacies of health disparities, this study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on public health, urging a comprehensive and nuanced approach to address the root causes of health inequities in urban communities

The Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitor Vardenafil Is a Potent Inhibitor of ABCB1/P-Glycoprotein Transporter

One of the major causes of chemotherapy failure in cancer treatment is multidrug resistance (MDR) which is mediated by the ABCB1/P-glycoprotein. Previously, through the use of an extensive screening process, we found that vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor significantly reverses MDR in ABCB1 overexpressing cancer cells, and its efficacy was greater than that of tadalafil, another PDE-5 inhibitor. The present study was designed to determine the reversal mechanisms of vardenafil and tadalafil on ABC transporters-mediated MDR. Vardenafil or tadalafil alone, at concentrations up to 20 µM, had no significant toxic effects on any of the cell lines used in this study, regardless of their membrane transporter status. However, vardenafil when used in combination with anticancer substrates of ABCB1, significantly potentiated their cytotoxicity in ABCB1 overexpressing cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and this effect was greater than that of tadalafil. The sensitivity of the parenteral cell lines to cytotoxic anticancer drugs was not significantly altered by vardenafil. The differential effects of vardenafil and tadalafil appear to be specific for the ABCB1 transporter as both vardenafil and tadalafil had no significant effect on the reversal of drug resistance conferred by ABCC1 (MRP1) and ABCG2 (BCRP) transporters. Vardenafil significantly increased the intracellular accumulation of [3H]-paclitaxel in the ABCB1 overexpressing KB-C2 cells. In addition, vardenafil significantly stimulated the ATPase activity of ABCB1 and inhibited the photolabeling of ABCB1 with [125I]-IAAP. Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated the incubation of cells with either vardenafil or tadalafil for 72 h did not alter ABCB1 protein expression. Overall, our results suggest that vardenafil reverses ABCB1-mediated MDR by directly blocking the drug efflux function of ABCB1

Potentiometric pKa determination of biological active phenothiazine in different aqua-organic solvents

Potentiometric titrations of phenothiazines derivatives were performed in methanolwater, ethanol-water, acetonitrile-water and dioxane-water mixtures with varying contents of organic solvent. All titrations were performed in aqua-organic medium at constant ionic strength (0.15 mol⋅dm−3) and at different temperatures (25 to 45 °C). The pKa were determined at different aqua-organic proportions. Effect of temperature and dielectric constant on dissociation constant has been compared. The pKa values were then obtained by Yasuda‐Shedlovsky extrapolation.</jats:p

Correction schemes for the LHC lattice at collision

Normal form analysis and tracking results show that both normal and skew resonances are driven strongly by the nonlinear fields of the IR quadrupoles. We report here on the possibility of improving the dynamic aperture by compensating these resonances with the use of correctors placed in the IRs. The effectiveness of local correction schemes in the presence of beam-beam interactions is also studied

Pharmacological screening of scutia myrtina for antipyretic activity

Herbal medicines have been main source of primary healthcare in all over the world. From ancient times, plants have been catering as rich source of effective and safe medicines. About 80 % of world populations are still dependent on traditional medicines. The present investigation it may be concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves of Scutia myrtina has antipyretic activity. All these biological activities may be said to be a promising finding brought out by the present study. These contributions can be used as parameters for the authentication of plant as well as for developing newer drugs based on their activity. In this study no attempt was made to ascertain the mechanism of the observed antipyretic activity. However, it can be suggested that it may be acting through either the peripheral or central mechanism numerated above. It is also possible that both the mechanisms may be involved. Further, study regarding isolation and characterization of active principle responsible for antipyretic activity are under planning in our laboratory

Different evaluation parameters of floating microsphere of ofloxacin

The Floating Microsphere of Ofloxacin requires a novel gastroretentive drug delivery system which can provide an extended period of time in stomach and improve oral bioavailability. Floating microspheres were characterized for floating ability, compatibility study, particle size and shape, entrapment efficiency, in-vitro drug release. Due to their low density, these multi particulate drug delivery systems showed good floating ability and remained in gastric environment for more than 24 hrs, required for sustained therapeutic activity. Major advantages of the system include ease of preparation, good floating ability, high encapsulation efficiency and sustained drug release over 24 hours. From this study, it was concluded that formulation of floating microspheres of ofloxacin offers prolonged gastric residence time and continuous release of the medication over an extended period of time thus oral bioavailability of the drug and subsequent efficacy is improved.</jats:p