Color image encryption and decryption using Hill Cipher associated with Arnold transform

Image security over open network transmission is a big concern nowadays. This paper proposes another methodology for color image encoding and decoding using two stage Hill Cipher method which is connected with Arnold Transformation. The forgoing created a strategy for encryption and decryption of color image information and touched on just the premise of keys. In this plan, keys and the agreement of Hill Cipher (HC) are basic. Moreover, keys multiplication (pre or post) over an RGB image information framework is inevitable to know to effectively decrypt the first image information. We have given a machine simulation with a standard example and the result is given to support the stalwartness of the plan. This paper gives a detailed comparison between prior proposed methods and this methodology. The system has potential utilization in computerized RGB image transforming and security of image information

Genetic divergence evaluation of apple germplasm by D2 multivariate analysis

Genetic divergence was worked out in the new germplasm of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) including 42 genotypes. Mahalanobis's D2 statistics was applied for identifying the potential parents to be involved in the hybridization programme for trait specific improvement or selecting better segregants. On the basis of performance for various traits, genotypes were grouped into three clusters and maximum numbers of genotypes i.e. 28 were accommodated in cluster I , while 10 and 4 genotypes were arranged in cluster II and III respectively. The average intra cluster distance was maximum in cluster II (2.214) and minimum in cluster III (1.212). Inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster II and III (5.077) indicating that hybridization between genotypes from cluster II and III can be utilized for getting the superior recombinants in segregating generations. On the basis of cluster means for various characters , cluster II was found superior for shoot thickness (0.34cm), inter - nodal length (2.38cm), number of lenticels (62.10) and leaf blade length (8.79cm) whereas cluster III was found superior for leaf blade width (5.10cm), petiole length (2.64cm) and leaf blade ratio (3.62). Hence, hybridization between parents from cluster II and cluster III for these characters can produce better recombinants in segregating generations

The Role of Voltammetric Methods in Determination of Metals in Alcoholic Beverages: A Critical Review

Sources of metals in alcoholic beverages can be classified into primary and secondary sources. High concentrations of metals may lead to potential toxicity in cases of overconsumption over a long period of time. Metal content in alcoholic beverages may be used to ascertain their authenticity and geographic origin. Therefore, determination of metals in alcoholic beverages becomes a matter of utmost importance to forensic agencies. Many analytical techniques are available for qualitative and quantitative estimation of metals. Stripping methods can be used, and anodic stripping voltammetry proves to be a cheap, sensitive, reliable and less time-consuming method. With advancements in the field of electrodes, the sensitivity of voltammetry has greatly increased, making it an ideal analytical technique for the analysis of metals in wines and other alcoholic beverages. In the present review, an attempt has been made to critically review the various aspects of voltammetry with particular attention to stripping methods along with their application in determination of metal content in various alcoholic beverages

Effect of Wiper Edge Geometry on Machining Performance While Turning AISI 1045 Steel in Dry Conditions Using the VIKOR-ML Approach

AISI 1045 can be machined well in all machining operations, namely drilling, milling, turning, broaching and grinding. It has many applications, such as crankshafts, rollers, spindles, shafts, and gears. Wiper geometry has a great influence on cutting forces (Fr, Ff, Fc and R), temperature, material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra). Wiper inserts are used to achieve good surface quality and avoid the need to buy a grinding machine. In this paper, an optimization-based investigation into previously reported results for Taguchi’s based L27 orthogonal array experimentations was conducted to further examine effect of the edge geometry on the turning performance of AISI 1045 steel in dry conditions. Three input parameters used in current research include the cutting speed (Vc), feed (f) and depth of cut (ap), while performance measures in this research were Ra, Fr, Ff, Fc, R, temperature (temp) and MRR. The Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method was used to normalize and convert all the performance measures to a single response known as the VIKOR-based performance index (Vi). The machine learning (ML) approach was used for the prediction and optimization of the input variables. A correlation plot is developed between the input variable and Vi using the ML approach. The optimized setting suggested by Vi-ML is Vc: 160 m/min; ap: 1 mm and f: 0.135 mm/rev, and the corresponding value of Vi was 0.2883, while the predicted values of Ra, Fr, Ff, Fc, R, temp and MRR were 2.111 µm, 43.85 N, 159.33 N, 288.13 N, 332,16 N, 554.4 °C and 21,600 mm3/min, respectively

IL-6 and Mouse Oocyte Spindle

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is considered a major indicator of the acute-phase inflammatory response. Endometriosis and pelvic inflammation, diseases that manifest elevated levels of IL-6, are commonly associated with higher infertility. However, the mechanistic link between elevated levels of IL-6 and poor oocyte quality is still unclear. In this work, we explored the direct role of this cytokine as a possible mediator for impaired oocyte spindle and chromosomal structure, which is a critical hurdle in the management of infertility. Metaphase-II mouse oocytes were exposed to recombinant mouse IL-6 (50, 100 and 200 ng/mL) for 30 minutes and subjected to indirect immunofluorescent staining to identify alterations in the microtubule and chromosomal alignment compared to untreated controls. The deterioration in microtubule and chromosomal alignment were evaluated utilizing both fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and were quantitated with a previously reported scoring system. Our results showed that IL-6 caused a dose-dependent deterioration in microtubule and chromosomal alignment in the treated oocytes as compared to the untreated group. Indeed, IL-6 at a concentration as low as 50 ng/mL caused deterioration in the spindle structure in 60% of the oocytes, which increased significantly (P<0.0001) as IL-6 concentration was increased. In conclusion, elevated levels of IL-6 associated with endometriosis and pelvic inflammation may reduce the fertilizing capacity of human oocyte through a mechanism that involves impairment of the microtubule and chromosomal structure

Fire Debris Analysis: A Need to Develop Databases

Fire debris analysis is a branch of forensic chemistry which deals with the examination and analysis of fire debris samples in order to detect and identify ignitable liquid residues in them. In addition to arson, fire debris analysis is usually performed in cases of fires of suspicious origin [1]. In addition to this, petrol bombs are used in social or religious riots, and terrorist activities. In a developing country like India, “bride burning” for dowry presents another aspect of such crimes and includes cases of homicidal or suicidal burning which require such examination [2]. Fire debris analysis is performed to determine the presence or absence of ignitable liquids in samples, to identify the chemical composition of ignitable liquid, the class of ignitable liquid, and to establish an association between ignitable liquid residues and its source

Comparison of concomitant boost radiotherapy against concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced oropharyngeal cancers: A phase III randomised trial

AbstractPurposeTo test the toxicity and efficacy of concomitant boost radiotherapy alone against concurrent chemoradiation (conventional fractionation) in locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer in our patient population.Methods and materialsIn this open-label, randomised trial, 216 patients with histologically proven Stage III–IVA oropharyngeal cancer were randomly assigned between June 2006 and December 2010 to receive either chemoradiation (CRT) to a dose of 66Gy in 33 fractions over 6.5weeks with concurrent cisplatin (100mg/m2 on days 1, 22 and 43) or accelerated radiotherapy with concomitant boost (CBRT) to a dose of 67.5Gy in 40 fractions over 5weeks. The compliance, toxicity and quality of life were investigated. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) curves were estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log rank test.ResultsThe compliance to radiotherapy was superior in concomitant boost with lesser treatment interruptions (p=0.004). Expected acute toxicities were significantly higher in CRT, except for grade 3/4 mucositis which was seen more in CBRT arm (39% and 55% in CRT and CBRT, respectively; p=0.02). Late toxicities like Grade 3 xerostomia were significantly high in CRT arm than CBRT arm (33% versus 18%; p<0.0001). The quality of life was significantly poor in CRT arm at all follow up visits (p<0.0001). The rates of 2year disease-free survival were similar with 56% in the chemoradiotherapy group and 61% in CBRT group (p=0.2; HR-0.81, 95%CI-0.53–1.2). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with nodal size >2cm had significantly better DFS with CRT (p=0.05; HR-1.59, 95%CI-0.93–2.7).ConclusionIn selected patients of locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer, concomitant boost offers a better compliance, toxicity profile and quality of life with similar disease control, than chemoradiation

PPE Antigen Rv2430c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis induces a strong B-cell response

The variation in sequence and length in the C-terminal region among members of the unique PE (Pro-Glu) and PPE (Pro-Pro-Glu) protein families of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a likely source of antigenic variation, giving rise to the speculation that these protein families could be immunologically important. Based on in silico analysis, we selected a hypothetical open reading frame (ORF) encoding a protein belonging to the PPE family and having epitopes with predictably higher antigenic indexes. Reverse transcriptase PCR using total RNA extracted from in vitro-cultured M. tuberculosis H37Rv generated an mRNA product corresponding to this gene, indicating the expression of this ORF (Rv2430c) at the mRNA level. Recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli was used to screen the sera of M. tuberculosis-infected patients, as well as those of clinically healthy controls (n = 10), by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The panel of patient sera comprised sera from fresh infection cases (category 1; n = 32), patients with relapsed tuberculosis (category 2; n = 30), and extrapulmonary cases (category 3; n = 30). Category 2 and 3 sera had strong antibody responses to the PPE antigen, equal to or higher than those to other well-known antigens, such as Hsp10 or purified protein derivative (PPD). However, a higher percentage of patients belonging to category 1, as opposed to clinically healthy controls, showed stronger antibody response against the PPE protein when probed with anti-immunoglobulin M (IgM) (71 versus 37.5%) or anti-IgG (62.5 versus 28.12%). Our results reveal that this PPE ORF induces a strong B-cell response compared to that generated by M. tuberculosis Hsp10 or PPD, pointing to the immunodominant nature of the protein

Developmental and Molecular Changes Underlying the Vernalization-Induced Transition to Flowering in Aquilegia coerulea (James)

Reproductive success in plants is dependent on many factors but the precise timing of flowering is certainly among the most crucial. Perennial plants often have a vernalization or over-wintering requirement in order to successfully flower in the spring. The shoot apical meristem undergoes drastic developmental and molecular changes as it transitions into inflorescence meristem (IM) identity, which then gives rise to floral meristems (FMs). In this study, we have examined the developmental and gene expression changes underlying the transition from the vegetative to reproductive phases in the basal eudicot Aquilegia coerulea, which has evolved a vernalization response independently relative to other established model systems. Results from both our histology and scanning electron studies demonstrate that developmental changes in the meristem occur gradually during the third and fourth weeks of vernalization. Based on RNAseq data and cluster analysis, several known flowering time loci, including AqFT and AqFL1, exhibit dramatic changes in expression during the fourth week. Further consideration of candidate gene homologs as well as unexpected loci of interest creates a framework in which we can begin to explore the genetic basis of the flowering time transition in Aquilegia