A Novel High-Efficiency Transaction Verification Scheme for Blockchain Systems

Blockchain can realize the reliable storage of a large amount of data that is chronologically related and verifiable within the system.This technology has been widely used and has developed rapidly in big data systems across various fields.An increasing number of users are participating in application systems that use blockchain as their underlying architecture.As the number of transactions and the capital involved in blockchain grow,ensuring information security becomes imperative.Addressing the verification of transactional information security and privacy has emerged as a critical challenge.Blockchain-based verification methods can effectively eliminate the need for centralized third-party organizations.However,the efficiency of nodes in storing and verifying blockchain data faces unprecedented challenges.To address this issue,this paper introduces an efficient verification scheme for transaction security.Initially,it presents a node evaluation module to estimate the activity level of user nodes participating in transactions,accompanied by a probabilistic analysis for all transactions.Subsequently,this paper optimizes the conventional transaction organization form,introduces a heterogeneous Merkle tree storage structure,and designs algorithms for constructing these heterogeneous trees.Theoretical analyses and simulation experiments conclusively demonstrate the superior performance of this scheme.When verifying the same number of transactions,the heterogeneous Merkle tree transmits less data and is more efficient than traditional methods.The findings indicate that the heterogeneous Merkle tree structure is suitable for various blockchain applications,including the Internet of Things.This scheme can markedly enhance the efficiency of information verification and bolster the security of distributed systems.

Diacerein protects against iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in the femorotibial joints of rats

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of diacerein on the histopathology of articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the femorotibial joint in rats. Osteoartbritis was induced in rats after single intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate. Rats were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post intra-articular injection to evaluate the progression of histopathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Diacerein was orally administered （15 mg/kg） once daily post 1 and 2 weeks of iodoacetate injection in two groups, respectively, for up to 12 weeks. Articular cartilage and sub- chondral bone of the rats of both groups were examined after 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. Quantitative histological analyses were performed by scoring these sections as per the OARSI system. Chondroitin sulfate was also estimated in articular cartilage by decrease in absorbance of methylene blue on complexation with chondroitin sulfate using a spectrophotometer. Intra-articular injection of iodoacetate induced loss of articular cartilage with progressive sub- chondral bone sclerosis and degeneration. Based on histopathological and biochemical findings, diacerein treatment showed chondroprotective effect. Furthermore, the chondroprotective effect of diacerein was found to be more pro- nounced after 12 weeks as compared to 8 weeks in both cases （i.e., post 1 and 2 weeks of iodoacetate injection）. Similar results were observed by investigation of chondroitin sulfate during biochemical study, showing the chon- droprotective effect. In conclusion, diacerein exhibits chondroprotective effect in rats with late onset of action.

Outcome of application of primary versus secondary Illizarov＇s fixator in open tibial shaft fractures

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to compare outcome of primary and secondary Illizarov's fi xator application as a treatment method for type III open tibial fractures in terms of nonunion and wound infection.METHODS: This prospective study was done in a tertiary care center. Forty-eight type III tibial fractures were treated with Illizarov's apparatus between 2008 and 2011. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the treatment protocol, timing of wound closure and Illizarov's application, primary(n=28) and secondary(n=20).RESULTS: In the primary group, healing was achieved in all 28 patients. The median time to recovery was 24 weeks, and the median number of operations was 3. There were 6 patients with a bone defect. In the secondary group, complete recovery was achieved in 18 out of 20 patients. The median time to recovery was 30 weeks, and the median number of operations 5. There were 9 patients with a bone defect. The median time to recovery and the number of operations were signifi cantly smaller in patients undergoing primary operation. Union was 100% in the primary group and more than 95% in the secondary group. Chronic osteomyelitis persisted in one patient and below amputation was done in one patient in the secondary group.CONCLUSION: Primary wound closure and Illizarov's fixation required a smaller number of operations and shorter time to recovery than secondary wound closure and Illizarov's fi xation, mostly due to a signifi cantly less number of patients with a bone defect in the primary group.

FogQSYM: An Industry 4.0 Analytical Model for Fog Applications

Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth evolution of technology development,which strives to connect people to various industries in terms of achieving their expected outcomes efficiently.However,resource management in an Industry 4.0 network is very complex and challenging.To manage and provide suitable resources to each service,we propose a FogQSYM(Fog—Queuing system)model;it is an analytical model for Fog Applications that helps divide the application into several layers,then enables the sharing of the resources in an effective way according to the availability of memory,bandwidth,and network services.It follows theMarkovian queuing model that helps identify the service rates of the devices,the availability of the system,and the number of jobs in the Industry 4.0 systems,which helps applications process data with a reasonable response time.An experiment is conducted using a Cloud Analyst simulator with multiple segments of datacenters in a fog application,which shows that the model helps efficiently provide the arrival resources to the appropriate services with a low response time.After implementing the proposed model with different sizes of fog services in Industry 4.0 applications,FogQSYM provides a lower response time than the existing optimized response time model.It should also be noted that the average response time increases when the arrival rate increases.

Chronic Dietary Administration of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Does Not Compromise Neurobehavioral Functions at Tumor Preventive Doses in Mice

Beneficial effects of dietary energy restriction (DER), including extension of life-span, reduction in cancer risk, anti-cancer effects and decrease in age related neurodegenerative diseases have been well established. Given that DER is difficult to implement in humans due to practical constraints, development of energy restriction mimetics (ERMs) is considered as a suitable alternative. Our recent studies have established the anti-tumor effects of the dietary administration of the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose, a potential ERM, an alternative to DER;without any adverse effects on general physiology. Since functioning of the brain is critically dependent on glucose, we investigated the effects of chronic dietary 2-DG administration on the behavioural outcome in mice. Our findings based on a battery of neuro-behavioural tests clearly suggest that the chronic dietary administration of 2-DG that appreciably impairs the process of tumorigenesis has no adverse effect on the cognitive, affective and sensory-motor functions. Together with the maintenance of normal physiology reported by us earlier, these observations strengthen the potential of dietary 2-DG as a safe cancer preventive strategy.