Local Geometric Distortions Resilient Watermarking Scheme Based on Symmetry

As an efficient watermark attack method, geometric distortions destroy the synchronization between watermark encoder and decoder. And the local geometric distortion is a famous challenge in the watermark field. Although a lot of geometric distortions resilient watermarking schemes have been proposed, few of them perform well against local geometric distortion like random bending attack (RBA). To address this problem, this paper proposes a novel watermark synchronization process and the corresponding watermarking scheme. In our scheme, the watermark bits are represented by random patterns. The message is encoded to get a watermark unit, and the watermark unit is flipped to generate a symmetrical watermark. Then the symmetrical watermark is embedded into the spatial domain of the host image in an additive way. In watermark extraction, we first get the theoretically mean-square error minimized estimation of the watermark. Then the auto-convolution function is applied to this estimation to detect the symmetry and get a watermark units map. According to this map, the watermark can be accurately synchronized, and then the extraction can be done. Experimental results demonstrate the excellent robustness of the proposed watermarking scheme to local geometric distortions, global geometric distortions, common image processing operations, and some kinds of combined attacks

Effect of Mn Addition and Heat Treatment on the Corrosion Behaviour of Mg–Ag–Mn Alloy

The high corrosion sensitivity and the potential bio-toxicity of Mg-Ag alloys limit their wide applications for the production of implanted devices. In the present work, Mn is added into the Mg-Ag alloy to optimize its corrosion behaviour. The corrosion behaviour of Mg-Ag-Mn alloys is investigated with the underlying microstructural factors examined. The Mg-Ag alloy with 2 wt. % Mn exhibits the highest corrosion resistance after post-casting heat treatment at 440 ⁰C. The addition of Mn results in α-Mn phase with the incorporation of Fe, which suppresses the cathodic activity of impurity Fe. Further, heat treatment of the cast alloys homogenizes the distribution of Ag and promotes the precipitation of α-Mn phase. The former removes Ag segregations as potential cathodes; the latter promotes a more uniform distribution of cathodes and, therefore, prevents localized corrosion.<br/

Janus Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

A novel crystal configuration of sandwiched S-Mo-Se structure (Janus SMoSe) at the monolayer limit has been synthesized and carefully characterized in this work. By controlled sulfurization of monolayer MoSe2 the top layer of selenium atoms are substituted by sulfur atoms while the bottom selenium layer remains intact. The peculiar structure of this new material is systematically investigated by Raman, photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and confirmed by transmission-electron microscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Density-functional theory calculations are performed to better understand the Raman vibration modes and electronic structures of the Janus SMoSe monolayer, which are found to correlate well with corresponding experimental results. Finally, high basal plane hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity is discovered for the Janus monolayer and DFT calculation implies that the activity originates from the synergistic effect of the intrinsic defects and structural strain inherent in the Janus structure.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figure

Nonlinear sub-cyclotron resonance as a formation mechanism for gaps in banded chorus

An interesting characteristic of magnetospheric chorus is the presence of a frequency gap at $\omega \simeq 0.5\Omega_e$, where $\Omega_e$ is the electron cyclotron angular frequency. Recent chorus observations sometimes show additional gaps near $0.3\Omega_e$ and $0.6\Omega_e$. Here we present a novel nonlinear mechanism for the formation of these gaps using Hamiltonian theory and test-particle simulations in a homogeneous, magnetized, collisionless plasma. We find that an oblique whistler wave with frequency at a fraction of the electron cyclotron frequency can resonate with electrons, leading to effective energy exchange between the wave and particles

Surgical treatment of the osteoporotic spine with bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screw fixation: technical description and preliminary application in 43 patients

OBJECTIVES: To describe a new approach for the application of polymethylmethacrylate augmentation of bone cement-injectable cannulated pedicle screws. METHODS: Between June 2010 and February 2013, 43 patients with degenerative spinal disease and osteoporosis (T-scor

A Less Intrusive Solution To Stablize VSC Transmission Against Highly Variable Grid Strength

A less-intrusive solution to stabilize a Voltage Source Converter (VSC) over an unknown grid strength is presented in this paper. The existence of equilibrium point is investigated as a prerequisite to stabilization. By partially imposing grid forming control, a simple auxiliary outer loop is proposed to exhaust the physical limit of power delivery in steady state and provide support to fault-ride-through operations over a wide range of grid strength. The proposed control can be used to upgrade a commissioned VSC with inner current loop intact; it also offers a non-intrusive solution to stabilize VSCs externally. The effectiveness of the proposed approach and schemes are verified by analysis in frequency domain and case studies in time domain including change of grid strength and fault-ride-through

Anti-IFN-γ Antibody Promotes Osteoclastogenesis in Human Bone Marrow Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Co-Cultured with Tuberculosis-Activated Th1 Cells

Background/Aims: Tuberculosis induces bone loss and activates Th1 cells that play an important role in the host defense of Bacille Calmette-Guérin tuberculosis vaccine. However, the role of tuberculosis-activated Th1 cells in differentiation of osteoclast precursors to osteoclasts is unclear. As secretion of IFN-γ in Th1 cells is induced by tuberculosis, we aimed to investigate the role of anti-IFN-γ antibody on the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts in bone marrow monocyte-derived macrophages (BMMs). Methods: BMMs were isolated and co-cultured with CD4+T helper 1 cells (Th1 cells), pretreated with anti-IFN-γ antibody. Then, cell proliferation, expression and release of cytokines, formation of actin ring, differentiation of osteoclasts and bone resorption function were measured by CCK8 assay, qRT-PCR/Western blot/flow cytometry, ELISA, immunofluorescence, tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP) staining and bone absorbance assay, respectively. Results: Anti-IFN-γ antibody inhibited the cell viability of BMMs, and induced the expressions of RANKL, TNF-α, NF-κB and TRAF6 in BMMs. In addition, it led to increased expression levels of RANK on cell surfaces, and increased production of RANKL, TNF-α, MCP-1 and SDF-1. Anti-IFN-γ antibody also induced the expression of osteoclast differentiation factor and actin ring formation, but inhibited the expression of osteoprotegerin. TRAP staining and bone resorption assays showed that anti-IFN-γ antibody induced an increase in osteoclast formation and bone resorption. Conclusion: The anti-IFN-γ antibody induced osteoclast formation, and is probably mediated by RANKL-induced activation of NF-κB, that induces TRAF6 in the RANKL-RANK signaling pathway. Our data suggest an inhibitory role for IFN-γ in osteoclast formation induced by tuberculosis