Edge-assisted quantum protocol for secure multiparty logical AND its applications.

Security and privacy have always been key concerns for individuals in various edge-assisted services. In this paper, we present a feasible quantum solution to an important primitive of secure multiparty computations, i.e., Secure Multiparty Logical AND (SMLA), in which n participants can securely compute logical AND of n private bits. In order to ensure perfect security and achieve good feasibility, we introduce a semi-honest edge server and two non-collusive fog nodes, and design a secure and feasible edge-assisted quantum protocol for SMLA, which cleverly utilizes Secure Multiparty XOR to implement SMLA group by group. Furthermore, we focus on applications of this quantum primitive protocol and design two quantum protocols for Multiple Private Set Intersection and Anonymous One-vote Veto. Compared with classical related protocols, our proposed quantum protocols obtain higher security, which can be guaranteed by the basic principles of quantum mechanics.

Insight into the effects of modifying chromophores on the performance of quinoline-based dye-sensitized solar cells.

A series of organic dyes based on quinoline as an electron-deficient π-linker, were designed and synthesized for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) application. These push-pull conjugated dyes, sharing same anchoring group with distinctive electron-rich donating groups such as N,N-diethyl (DEA-Q), 3,6-dimethoxy carbazole (CBZ-Q), bis(4-butoxyphenyl)amine (BPA-Q), were synthesized by Riley oxidation of CH3 followed by Knoevenagel condensation of the corresponding aldehyde precursors 2a-c with cyanoacrylic acid. The optical, electrochemical, theoretical calculation and photovoltaic properties with these three dyes were systematically investigated. Compared to DEA-Q and CBZ-Q, BPA-Q possesses better light harvesting properties with regard to extended conjugate length, red-shifted intramolecular charge transfer band absorption and broaden light-responsive IPCE spectrum, resulting in a greater short circuit photocurrent density output. BPA-Q also has improved open-circuit voltage due to the apparent large charge recombination resistance. Consequently, assembled with iodine redox electrolytes, the device with BPA-Q achieved the best overall conversion efficiency value of 3.07% among three dyes under AM 1.5G standard conditions. This present investigation demonstrates the importance of various N-substituent chromophores in the prevalent D-π-A type organic sensitizers for tuning the photovoltaic performance of their DSSCs.

Development of in situ gelling and bio adhesive 5-Fluorouracil enema.

In this study, a novel 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) enema with good bio adhesion and temperature sensitivity was developed using in situ gelling technology. The preparation was formulated as a free-flowing liquid before use, while a layer of gel film was quickly formed when administered in the rectum, with a large contact surface area. It also demonstrated good biocompatibility, appropriate gel strength and bio adhesive force with excellent adhesion to rectal mucosa and prolonged action time, allowing more effective drug absorption and diffusion to surrounding tissues. Poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188 were applied to adjust the gelling temperature. With the addition of carbopol and polycarbophil (bio adhesive substances), the solubility of 5-FU and gel strength increased, the temperature of gelation and the surface area of drug contact on mucous epithelium decreased. Decreased adhesive force between the preparation and the mucous membrane of the rectum was demonstrated with improving carbopol and polycarbophil's concentration. In vitro release demonstrated that 5-FU in situ gelling enema with different bases had a rapid and almost complete drug release. We used an optimized formulation of P407/P188/polycarbophil/5-FU (17/2.5/0.2/1.0) for animal experiments. The result showed that the drug evenly covered the surface of the rectum and there was no leakage in 6 hours. The in situ gelling enema showed significantly higher rectal tissue levels of 5-FU compared with suppository and intravenous administration, indicating that 5-FU could be well absorbed due to the enlarged releasing area, longer retention time and larger amount of dissolved active ingredients. Systemically, 5-FU levels in the enema group were similar to those in the suppository group and significantly lower than the intravenous group. The enema was not associated with morphological damage to rectal tissue. These results suggest that the bio adhesive and in situ gelling enema could be a more effective rectal delivery system of 5-FU.

Preparation and quality assessment of itraconazole transfersomes.

Drug-loading transfersomes were prepared with itraconazole, a lipophilic drug, as a model drug to investigate the key factor affecting transfersomes quality and to evaluate their qualities. Drug-loading transfersomes were prepared using film dispersion method. The quality of transfersomes was evaluated by HPLC, transmission electron microscope, particle size analyzer and in vitro release. Itraconazole transfersomes was transparent solution in ivory white color with a mean entrapment efficiency of about 80%. The shape of hollow vesicles was spheroidal with the diameter of approximately 100 nm, and the zeta potential of 45 mV, which had a good transdermal effect. It can be concluded via single-factor investigation that the quality of transfersomes is significantly affected by solvent, salt ion concentration and homogenization pressure and so on. The preparation method obtained through screening and optimizing formulation and technology is feasible and the quality can be controlled.