Optimizing Robustness and Invisibility in Digital Image Watermarking: A SVM-Based Multi-Level DWT and SVD Approach

This research introduces a new digital image watermarking approach that utilizes discrete wave transformation (DWT), Support vector machine, and singular value decomposition. The method improves robustness under various assault situations by using the SVM classifier during watermark extraction. Multi-level DWT splits the host picture into sub-bands when embedding, and the coefficients are used as input for SVM. After SVD, the scaling factor embeds the watermark. Comparing the proposed approach to existing research under various attacks, the experimental findings demonstrate that it strikes an equilibrium between robustness and invisibility for watermarks of varying sizes. Support Vector Machine is a contemporary category of machine learning techniques that is extensively employed for the purpose of solving classification problems

A Simplified Method for Performance Evaluation of Public Transit Under Reneging Behavior of Passengers

This paper develops a model based on the Markov Chain technique to evaluate performance of a public transport route. The model addresses a special situation where a passenger left behind by a bus leaves the system without any further waiting to make an alternative travel arrangement. Such reneging behavior is indicative of an infinite penalty associated with further waiting from a passenger viewpoint. Apart from the theoretical derivations for the various attributes of interest, numerical examples to analyze the system performance (such as expected number of passengers served, expected number of abandoned passengers, and expected amount of unused space on the transit system) are presented. This provides insights for optimum selection of fleet size and size of vehicle

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HERBAL ANTIDIABETIC TABLET

Phytomedicines based on principles of Ayurveda are need of the hour and is more feasible than allopathic drugs which is not only more expensive in terms of “leads†but is also associated with many unwanted effects. Ethnopharmacological usage and the literature review revealed that the Alangium salvifolium seeds (Ankola) have significant antidiabetic activity. After the detailed study of powder of ethanolic extract of seeds of Alangium salvifolium Linn., a formulation using the plant material was prepared, to made the formulation more acceptable and justified for diabetics, an excipient having nutraceutical value like soy was also incorporated, the formulation was evaluated and standardized as per the pharmacopoeial standards. The results of preformulation studies revealed that all the values were within acceptable limit. Formulation showed appreciable hardness characteristics (3.25±0.57), which facilitates its fast disintegration. The friability (0.29±0.03) of formulation indicated that the tablets were mechanically stable. As the average weight of tablets was 340 mg, the acceptable weight variation range is ±7%. Hence the entire formulated tablet passed the weight variation test. The disintegration time of formulations was more than 1 minute. Thus the claims made by the traditional Indian systems of medicine regarding the use of this plant in the treatment of diabetes stands confirmed. The final conclusion drawn from the above mentioned data is that the possible use of these economical and relatively non toxic, non-hazardous natural remedies of plant origin may further be explored as they are devoid of major side effects associated with synthetic agents

Ambient Temperature Growth and Superconducting Properties of Ti-V Alloy Thin Films

A study on the optimization of ambient temperature growth and superconducting properties of Ti-V alloy thin films grown on SiO2-coated Si substrate is reported here. These films have been synthesized by co-sputtering of Ti and V targets, and films having different Ti concentrations were deposited to get the optimized critical temperature (TC) of thin films close to the bulk value. The maximum TC of 5.2 K has been obtained in the Ti40V60 composition, which is further increased to 6.2 K when a 10 nm thick Ti underlayer is added below the Ti-V film. GIXRD measurements confirm the formation of Ti-V alloys in the desired crystal structure. The upper critical field (HC2) of the thin films has been estimated with the help of magnetotransport measurements. The utility of Ti-V alloy thin films in superconducting radiation detection applications is ascertained.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Comparative transcriptomic profile analysis of fed-batch cultures expressing different recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli

There is a need to elucidate the product specific features of the metabolic stress response of the host cell to the induction of recombinant protein synthesis. For this, the method of choice is transcriptomic profiling which provides a better insight into the changes taking place in complex global metabolic networks. The transcriptomic profiles of three fed-batch cultures expressing different proteins viz. recombinant human interferon-beta (rhIFN-β), Xylanase and Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) were compared post induction. We observed a depression in the nutrient uptake and utilization pathways, which was common for all the three expressed proteins. Thus glycerol transporters and genes involved in ATP synthesis as well as aerobic respiration were severely down-regulated. On the other hand the amino acid uptake and biosynthesis genes were significantly repressed only when soluble proteins were expressed under different promoters, but not when the product was expressed as an inclusion body (IB). High level expression under the T7 promoter (rhIFN-β and xylanase) triggered the cellular degradation machinery like the osmoprotectants, proteases and mRNA degradation genes which were highly up-regulated, while this trend was not true with GFP expression under the comparatively weaker ara promoter. The design of a better host platform for recombinant protein production thus needs to take into account the specific nature of the cellular response to protein expression

Prevalence of goitre, iodine uptake and salt iodization level in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh: a baseline study in Central India

Background: Iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) is the single most important preventable cause of brain damage. Iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) refer to all of the consequences of iodine deficiency in a population, which can be prevented by taking adequate amount of Iodine.  The objectives was to ascertain the prevalence goitre among 6-12 year children by clinical examination in Mahasamund district; 2) to document the iodine uptake status reflected by random urinary excretion levels in a sub-sample of 6-12 year children covered for clinical examination, and 3) to evaluate the coverage of iodized salt at community level (i.e. at household and retail shop) on-the-spot test by using rapid salt testing kit.Methods: A cross sectional community based survey was done in Mahasamund district during April 2015 to September 2015. The study population was children in the age group of 6-12 years. 30 cluster sampling methodology was applied using PPS sampling technique, based on latest survey guidelines of NIDDCP of Govt. of India. The parameters studied were prevalence of goitre, urinary iodine excretion, and iodine content in salt at community level (i.e. household and shop).Results: A total of 2700 children aged from 6-12 years were assessed clinically for goitre. The total goitre prevalence was 4.29% (95% CI: 3.3-5.27). The median urinary iodine excretion (MUIE) was 106.67μg/L (range 11-216.7μg /L) among surveyed children.  37.4% of the urinary iodine excretion values were <100 μg/L. The households consuming inadequately iodized salt (i.e. iodine content ≤15 ppm) was 20% in the surveyed district.Conclusions: Although prevalence of goitre and median urinary iodine excretion among surveyed population was found satisfactory against the norms set by NIDDCP in surveyed district but universal salt iodization (USI) is yet to achieve in surveyed district.

Role of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Corneal Function, Biology and Pathology

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) is a pleiotropic multifunctional cytokine that regulates several essential cellular processes in many parts of the body including the cornea. Three isoforms of TGFβ are known in mammals and the human cornea expresses all of them. TGFβ1 has been shown to play a central role in scar formation in adult corneas whereas TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 have been implicated to play a critical role in corneal development and scarless wound healing during embryogenesis. The biological effects of TGFβ in the cornea have been shown to follow SMAD dependent as well as SMAD-independent signaling pathways depending upon cellular responses and microenvironment. Corneal TGFβ expression is necessary for maintaining corneal integrity and corneal wound healing. On the other hand, TGFβ is perhaps the most important cytokine in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disease in the cornea. Although the transformation of keratocytes to myofibroblasts induced by TGFβ is largely believed to cause corneal fibrosis or scarring, the precise molecular mechanism(s) involved in this process is still unknown. Currently no drugs are available to treat corneal scarring effectively without causing significant side effects. Many approaches to treat TGFβ-mediated corneal scarring are under investigation. These include blocking of TGFβ, TGFβ receptor, TGFβ function and/or TGFβ maturation. Other strategies such as modulating keratocyte proliferation, apoptosis, transcription and DNA condensation are also being investigated. The potential of gene therapy to neutralize the pathologic effects of TGFβ has also been demonstrated recently