Blacksmith: Fast Adversarial Training of Vision Transformers via a Mixture of Single-step and Multi-step Methods

Despite the remarkable success achieved by deep learning algorithms in various domains, such as computer vision, they remain vulnerable to adversarial perturbations. Adversarial Training (AT) stands out as one of the most effective solutions to address this issue; however, single-step AT can lead to Catastrophic Overfitting (CO). This scenario occurs when the adversarially trained network suddenly loses robustness against multi-step attacks like Projected Gradient Descent (PGD). Although several approaches have been proposed to address this problem in Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), we found out that they do not perform well when applied to Vision Transformers (ViTs). In this paper, we propose Blacksmith, a novel training strategy to overcome the CO problem, specifically in ViTs. Our approach utilizes either of PGD-2 or Fast Gradient Sign Method (FGSM) randomly in a mini-batch during the adversarial training of the neural network. This will increase the diversity of our training attacks, which could potentially mitigate the CO issue. To manage the increased training time resulting from this combination, we craft the PGD-2 attack based on only the first half of the layers, while FGSM is applied end-to-end. Through our experiments, we demonstrate that our novel method effectively prevents CO, achieves PGD-2 level performance, and outperforms other existing techniques including N-FGSM, which is the state-of-the-art method in fast training for CNNs

Removal Efficiency of Electrochemical Process by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Impregnated on Rod Carbon for Arsenite Anions in a High Ionic Strength Solution

The entry of heavy metals (e.g., arsenite anions) into water sources due to industrial and mining activities is considered a serious problem for the environment. Therefore, arsenite removal from polluted water has attracted the attention of researchers due to its toxic effects on human health. In the present study, the efficiency of the electrochemical (EC) purification of arsenite anions in a high ionic strength solution was investigated using a carbon electrode impregnated with iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method and immediately impregnated on the carbon rod. Experiments were performed by two electrodes (carbon and carbon impregnated with NP electrode) in a 50 mL EC reactor. The effect of different parameters such as electrical current (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, & 0.9 A), EC time (2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes), pH (3, 5, 7, 9, & 11), and the initial concentrations of arsenite anion (2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/L) was investigated on the removal efficiency to achieve the highest removal of arsenite anions. Arsenite anions (10 mg/L) were completely removed from the aqueous solution with an ionic strength of 0.141 M at an electrical current of 0.7 A, a pH of 8, and an EC time of 20 minutes. In addition, pH was the most effective parameter in removing arsenite anions from aqueous solution in the EC method. According to the results, EC treatment using an electrode impregnated with iron oxide NPs is highly efficient in removing arsenite anions from the contaminated water

Wastewater treatment efficiency in stabilization ponds, Olang treatment plant, Mashhad, 2011-13

Olang wastewater treatment facilities purifying raw urban wastewater consist of two stabilization pond modules. Both are on operation in parallel. Functioning of natural systems is influenced by different factors including ambient condition. Considering final effluent of this system discharges to Kashafrood river and sometimes is used for agricultural purposes, assessing the quality parameters in effluent was the main objective of this study. This cross-sectional study investigated some important quality parameters for both raw and treated wastewater in two years periods. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. Statistical tests were done at a significant level of 0.05. Simple linear regression analysis was used only for modeling. Raw wastewater was almost severe. Average removal efficiency for BOD5, COD, and TSS was 81, 83, and 78% respectively. There wasn’t a meaningful relationship between the removal efficiency of mentioned parameters and input pH. Ambient temperature fluctuations were effective on BOD5, and COD reduction. SAR index didn’t show a considerable restriction on irrigation application of effluent. In 62.5% cases outlet Na content was at the extent to which restrictions were imposed. Olang wastewater treatment plant generates an acceptable effluent relating to most of the quality parameters that were measured in this study. Considering special status of Mashhad city, it is worthy to reuse effluent in areas with a high water requirement such as agriculture

Determination of Arsenic in Dust fall in the Air of Yazd Zahra Soltanianzadeh, Mohammad Hossein Salmani, Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush

Human can live without food and water for many days but they can not live without breathing Air more than a few minutes. Then, Air Pollution is a Problem that additional must attended. Many countries have developed search work and Programs to Control air pollution. There are a lot of industrial activities that lead to the trace element and particles in the air in Yazd city. This study was descriptive and Cross- Sectional. The amount of dust fall in the Air of Yazd was determined and also the amount of arsenic in dust fall was determined. In this study, The Sampling was done from 30 August 2009 to 10 March 2010 at four 1 month's Periods in Jomhuri bulvard, Homafar Square , Shahid Behesti Square , Seyd GoleSorkh Ave , and Aiatollah kashani Street by Jar method. The amount of Arsenic was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption. The Maximum mean of Arsenic in dust fall was in the second Period equal to 10.677±3.133 μg/kg and the minimum mean of Arsenic was in the Fourth Period equal to 3.066 ±1.205 μg/kg. The maximum value was related to Jumhori Eslamic Bolvard equal to 15 .086 μg/kg and the minimum value was related to shahid Beheshti square equal to 1.134μg/kg. Discussion: Comparison of means the P-value=.062 for different periods and the P-value=.389 for different station was obtained .These was shown that there is no meaningful difference between the Arsenic value in different periods and station. The maximum value of arsenic was observed in the second period of sampling, which is related to enhancement of traffic in city and decrease of air humidity. In addition, the maximum value was in Jumhori Eslamic Bolvard station that is due to existence of industrial factories of in these areas

Development of a facile, versatile and scalable fabrication approach of solid, coated, and dissolving microneedle devices for transdermal drug delivery applications

Nowadays, microneedles as novel transdermal delivery systems are interested in scientists for biomedical applications. This work aims to present a Cascade Microneedle Molding Technique (CMMT) for the reusable fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds to produce microneedle devices. To produce a positive master mold from epoxy resin, a negative PDMS mold was first fabricated. PDMS can be molded, and microneedles can be fabricated using this epoxy mold in a scalable and cost-effective manner. These molds were used to manufacture solid, coated, and dissolving microneedles, which were characterized comprehensively. Microneedle morphology and geometry were evaluated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The mechanical integrity and ability to insert the microneedle device into the skin were assessed using compression strength analysis and force-displacement measurements. Drug penetration through animal skin was evaluated for Rhodamine B (RhB) loaded microneedles. The depth of needle insertion was also visualized using histological analysis while the spatial distribution of released cargo was determined by using confocal microscopy. Taken together, CMMT offers a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and scalable method for mass-producing microneedles with remarkable properties compared to direct 3D printing or laser ablation

Arsenic Oxidation Using UV-Activated Persulfate in Aqueous Solutions: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology Based on Box-Bencken Design

Introduction: The use of arsenic contaminated water can cause a variety of adverse health effects in humans. Therefore, it is essential to seek out a method to remove arsenic more efficiently. This study examined the amount of arsenic oxidation by response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Bencken design. Materials and Methods: In this study, oxidizing arsenite to arsenate was performed by activation of persulfate with UV and the optimal conditions determined using the RSM based on Box-Bencken design to evaluate the effects of independent variables on the response (arsenite oxidation efficiency) performance and to predict the best response rate. In this study, the effects of different parameters such as pH (3-11), concentration of persulfate (4-14 mM), and initial concentration of arsenic (0.1-0.9 mg/l) on process efficiency were investigated. The number of tests in this study was 45, and the oxidation rate was measured using the UV visible spectrophotometer (DR 6000) and the molybdate colorimetric method. Results: Increasing the concentration of arsenic increased oxidation. However, with increasing pH, the oxidation rate decreased and the highest oxidation rate at all concentrations was observed at pH 3. The value higher than R2 (0.934) indicated that the oxidation of arsenic (v) could be determined by this model. Conclusion: Arsenite is a highly toxic metal that is difficult to remove by conventional treatment methods, but a pre-treatment phase can convert arsenite into arsenate and facilitate the removal process. In this study, the use of UV-activated persulfate increased the efficiency of arsenic oxidation to 96%

Modification of pomegranate waste with iron ions a green composite for removal of Pb from aqueous solution: equilibrium, thermodynamic and kinetic studies

Abstract Pomegranate waste modified with Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions followed with carbonization were used as an adsorbent to remove the Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution. To optimum the highest adsorption efficiency, adsorption experiments were conducted on iron modified carbons by batch technique. The characteristic of composite was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR). The best pH for control of chemical adsorption was selected within pH of 6.0–6.5. It was observed that the contact time of 90 min, initial concentration 50.0 ppm, and adsorbent dose, 1.0 g/100 ml solution was found to be optimum conditions. On this condition, the maximum adsorption capacity was obtained 27.5 and 22.5 mg/g for Fe2+ and Fe3+ impregnated pomegranate peel carbons (PPC), respectively. The value of Cid, 1.584 for Fe2+-PPC and 0.552 for Fe3+-PPC, indicates that the effect of the boundary layer is more important in adsorption of Pb2+ by Fe2+-PPC and the pore diffusion is the rate limiting mechanism after 30 min. Thermodynamic parameters of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of Pb2+ adsorption on iron-modified carbons suggest that the adsorption process is favorable and spontaneous under the optimum condition

DNA structure spectroscopy by synthetic pigments using LED lighting

It is clear that DNA concentration and biological detection devices have many applications in the fields of genetics and biotechnology. For this goal, some similar devices have been designed working with the laser light which the disadvantages of them are high prices and the use of significant amounts of sample volume. But this designed device which works with LED light has very cheap manufacturing cost. The amounts of DNA used in this device are very low, about a few micro-liters and measurement of small, fast and portable it is also the advantages of these devices. The Data recorded as voltage versus time and the Fourier transform the frequency domain. From the frequency curve, by using the Byrlambrt it is possible to obtain the relative concentrations of DNA, viruses and assays measuring DNA damage and many other applications. By use of this device, the concentration of DNA colored with three different pigments was measured

Negative pressure pulmonary edema following laryngospasm after dental abscess: A case report

Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE), also known as post-obstructive pulmonary edema, is a rare and life-threatening condition. It occurs when a person breathes against an obstructed glottis, causing negative thoracic pressure in the lungs. This negative pressure can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs, resulting in pulmonary edema. The obstructed glottis might be caused by laryngospasm, which occurs when the muscles around the larynx involuntarily spasm and can lead to complete upper airway occlusion. This report shares the case of a 33-year-old woman hospitalized for periapical dental abscess, facial swelling, and shortness of breath. The patient exhibited signs of poor oral hygiene. After the exacerbation of her symptoms, she showed signs of asphyxia and decreased oxygen saturation, which led to her intubation. Imaging revealed bilateral pleural effusion and patchy ground glass opacities favoring NPPE. After three days of treatment with diuretics and other conservative measures, her condition was alleviated, and she was extubated. Laryngospasm in the presence of a dental abscess is uncommon. Identification of imaging favoring NPPE in this setting is even more rare. In cases of laryngospasm, prompt intubation is crucial. Therapy with diuretics and other conservative measures can effectively treat NPPE following laryngospasm