Secure and Image Retrieval based on Multipurpose Watermarking for Mammography Images Database

In the cancerology domain, we were brought to make periodic mammography images to monitor tumor patients. Oracle Database Management system (DBMS) is a solution to manage these images with patient's data recorder. Knowing the large size of medical images of mammograms, the Oracle DBMS saves these images outside the Oracle database using external LOBs. The link between these images and Oracle is done through the BFILE. At this level, two problems are raised: the first problem is that access to these images can become impossible because the link is likely to be broken. The second problem is security, the fact that the images are saved outside the Oracle database, they do not benefit from its powerful security. The protection of the integrity and confidentiality of data and patient images are a necessity defended by laws and they must be preserved against any unauthorized access, alteration or destruction. In this paper, we propose the method of reversible watermarking technique based on the difference expansion to resolve these two problems and explore its use in search and retrieval strategy of images.Comment: 28-3

Stuctural And Magnetic Characterization Of CoxZn1-x/Cu Multilayers Obtained by Electrodeposition

We present the experimental results of (CoxZn1-x/Cu)n multilayers (3<x<10) grown using the electrochemical dual bath method. The X-ray diffraction patterns have shown that the CoZn structural lattice parameters are close to those of the monoclinic CoZn13 compound. We have developed an analytical model in the X-ray kinematical theory adapted to the electrodeposited (CoxZn1-x/Cu) multilayers. We have shown that the model can give interesting structural information about the multilayer components, and reproduces the position of the satellite peaks around the main diffraction peak. Thus we have deduced the multilayer period and performed comparison between experimental results and the analytical model. The magnetic properties at room temperature reveal both superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic features. The inclusion of Zn into the magnetic layer and the existence of CoZnCu based alloy at the interfacial regions explain the magnetic properties. The magnetoresistance (MR) loop displays a broad , rounded maximum and the saturation is not observed even at high applied fields. The MR(H) behaviour and its small ratio can be attributed to interfacial effects.We present the experimental results of (CoxZn1-x/Cu)n multilayers (3<x<10) grown using the electrochemical dual bath method. The X-ray diffraction patterns have shown that the CoZn structural lattice parameters are close to those of the monoclinic CoZn13 compound. We have developed an analytical model in the X-ray kinematical theory adapted to the electrodeposited (CoxZn1-x/Cu) multilayers. We have shown that the model can give interesting structural information about the multilayer components, and reproduces the position of the satellite peaks around the main diffraction peak. Thus we have deduced the multilayer period and performed comparison between experimental results and the analytical model. The magnetic properties at room temperature reveal both superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic features. The inclusion of Zn into the magnetic layer and the existence of CoZnCu based alloy at the interfacial regions explain the magnetic properties. The magnetoresistance (MR) loop displays a broad , rounded maximum and the saturation is not observed even at high applied fields. The MR(H) behaviour and its small ratio can be attributed to interfacial effects

Ensiling characteristics of prickly pear (opuntia-ficus indica) rejects with and without molasses for animal feed

Purpose The aim of this work was to study the effect of adding sugar beet molasses on the biochemical properties, microbial flora, fermentation quality, and aerobic stability of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) waste silage.Method Molasses (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%, w/w) was mixed with the cactus fruit scraps, straw and wheat bran.Results The dry matter content, pH, total and reducing sugars of the pre-ensiling material increased after adding different percentages of the beet molasses (P < 0.05). During fermentation, we observed substantial protein and sugar degradation. All silage treatments reached stable pH values (pH 4.3-4.6). Among all the concentrations, the 10% beet molasses treatment underwent the highest lactic acid fermentation. Accordingly, the pH drop was higher in the 10% concentration (1.13 units) compared to lower beet molasses concertation  (1.03 units). Also, the 10% concentration has the highest number of lactic acid bacteria. The number of yeast and total aerobic mesophiles decreased continuously during silage. Moreover, during post-fermentation testing, the yeast multiplied little for the 10% concentration of beet molasses.Conclusion The results show that the addition of molasses has a significant effect on silage characteristics of prickly pear cactus

Activating Transcription Factor 4 Confers a Multidrug Resistance Phenotype to Gastric Cancer Cells through Transactivation of SIRT1 Expression

BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistance (MDR) in gastric cancer remains a major challenge to clinical treatment. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) is a stress response gene involved in homeostasis and cellular protection. However, the expression and function of ATF4 in gastric cancer MDR remains unknown. In this study, we investigate whether ATF4 play a role in gastric cancer MDR and its potential mechanisms. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We demonstrated that ATF4 overexpression confered the MDR phenotype to gastric cancer cells, while knockdown of ATF4 in the MDR variants induced re-sensitization. In this study we also showed that the NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase SIRT1 was required for ATF4-induced MDR effect in gastric cancer cells. We demonstrated that ATF4 facilitated MDR in gastric cancer cells through direct binding to the SIRT1 promoter, resulting in SIRT1 up-regulation. Significantly, inhibition of SIRT1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or a specific inhibitor (EX-527) reintroduced therapeutic sensitivity. Also, an increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and MDR1 expression level were found in ATF4-overexpressing cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We showed that ATF4 had a key role in the regulation of MDR in gastric cancer cells in response to chemotherapy and these findings suggest that targeting ATF4 could relieve therapeutic resistance in gastric cancer