Counter-forensics of SIFT-based copy-move detection by means of keypoint classification

Copy-move forgeries are very common image manipulations that are often carried out with malicious intents. Among the techniques devised by the 'Image Forensic' community, those relying on scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) features are the most effective ones. In this paper, we approach the copy-move scenario from the perspective of an attacker whose goal is to remove such features. The attacks conceived so far against SIFT-based forensic techniques implicitly assume that all SIFT keypoints have similar properties. On the contrary, we base our attacking strategy on the observation that it is possible to classify them in different typologies. Also, one may devise attacks tailored to each specific SIFT class, thus improving the performance in terms of removal rate and visual quality. To validate our ideas, we propose to use a SIFT classification scheme based on the gray scale histogram of the neighborhood of SIFT keypoints. Once the classification is performed, we then attack the different classes by means of class-specific methods. Our experiments lead to three interesting results: (1) there is a significant advantage in using SIFT classification, (2) the classification-based attack is robust against different SIFT implementations, and (3) we are able to impair a state-of-the-art SIFT-based copy-move detector in realistic cases

Alien shades of grey: New occurrences and relevant spread of Sciurus carolinensis in Italy

The eastern grey squirrel is listed among the worst invasive species throughout the world. This species of American origin is currently replacing the native Eurasian red squirrel in most of the Great Britain, as well as in parts of Ireland and Italy. It may debark trees and exert damages to woodlands and tree plantations. Therefore, its spread may be deleterious for biodiversity and environment, emphasising the need for a rapid detection in new areas of occurrence. In this work, we reported for the first time, the presence of new populations of this invasive species in Tuscany (Central Italy) and some updates and analyses regarding the status of this species in Veneto (North-Eastern Italy). Occurrences were collected through citizen-science contributory approach supported by photos, road-kills, and/or hair-tube sampling. Field investigations ad hoc were carried out in Veneto and Tuscany   to confirm the repeated reports in the surroundings of Arezzo and in the province of Siena. Although records can be possibly related to erratic or single individuals escaped from captivity, reproductive nuclei have also been detected in both regions, with the observations of juveniles and/or lactating females. The occurrence of the  species in these regions is still scarce and localised, but considering the surrounding favourable wooded habitats, a rapid removal of the animals would be required to prevent their spread

Examination of carbon partitioning into austenite during tempering of bainite

The redistribution of carbon after tempering of a novel nanocrystalline bainitic steel consisting of a mixture of supersaturated ferrite and retained austenite has been analyzed by atom probe tomography. No direct evidence supporting the additional carbon enrichment of austenite beyond that initially achieved during the bainite heat treatment was obtained during subsequent tempering of this high carbon, high silicon steel.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for funding this research under the contracts RFSR-CT-2008-00022 and MAT2007 – 63873, respectively. Research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory SHaRE User Facility was sponsored by the Scientific User Facilities Division, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy. A.J. Clarke gratefully acknowledges support from Los Alamos National Security, LLC, operator of the Los Alamos National Laboratory under contract number DE-AC52-06NA25396 with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center, a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center at the Colorado School of Mines and the Inter-American Materials Collaboration ProgramPeer reviewe

Закономерности накопления водорода в титановом сплаве ВТ1-0 при электролитическом и газофазном наводороживании

В настоящем исследовании я изучил макроскопические свойства титанового сплава (BT1-0) и его свойства в субмикронной структуре, а также способы определения количества, распределения и состояния накопленного водорода для разработки методов предотвращения водородного охрупчивания.In the present study, I studied the macroscopic properties of titanium alloy (BT1-0) and its properties under submicron structure, and how to determine the quantity, distribution and state of accumulated hydrogen to develop methods for preventing hydrogen embrittlement

Feasibility and efficacy of bypassing the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation to treat right ventricular failure: an experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Right ventricular failure (RVF) and -support is associated with poor results. We aimed for a new approach of right - sided assistance bypassing the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation in order to better decompress the right ventricle and optimize left ventricular filling.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From a microaxial pump (Abiomed), a low resistance oxygenator (Maquet and Novalung) and two cannulas (28 and 27 Fr) a system was set up and evaluated in an ovine model (n = 7). Connection with the heart was the right and left atrium. One hour the system was operated without RVF and turned of again. Then a RVF was induced and the course with the system running was evaluated. Complete hemodynamic monitoring was performed as well as echocardiography, flow measurement and blood gas analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall performance of the system was reliable. Without RVF no relevant changes of hemodynamics occurred; blood gases were supra normal. In RVF a cardiogenic shock developed (MAP 35 ± 13 mmHg, CO 1,1 ± 0,7 l/min). Immediately after starting the system the circulation normalized (significant increase of MAP to 85 ± 13 mmHg, of CO to 4,5 ± 1,9). Echocardiography also revealed right ventricular recovery. After stopping the system, RVF returned.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Bypassing the right ventricle and pulmonary circulation with an oxygenating assist device, which may offer the advantages of enhanced right ventricular decompression and augmented left atrial filling, is feasible and effective in the treatment of acute RVF. Long time experiments are needed.</p