Deep Intellectual Property: A Survey

With the widespread application in industrial manufacturing and commercial services, well-trained deep neural networks (DNNs) are becoming increasingly valuable and crucial assets due to the tremendous training cost and excellent generalization performance. These trained models can be utilized by users without much expert knowledge benefiting from the emerging ''Machine Learning as a Service'' (MLaaS) paradigm. However, this paradigm also exposes the expensive models to various potential threats like model stealing and abuse. As an urgent requirement to defend against these threats, Deep Intellectual Property (DeepIP), to protect private training data, painstakingly-tuned hyperparameters, or costly learned model weights, has been the consensus of both industry and academia. To this end, numerous approaches have been proposed to achieve this goal in recent years, especially to prevent or discover model stealing and unauthorized redistribution. Given this period of rapid evolution, the goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive survey of the recent achievements in this field. More than 190 research contributions are included in this survey, covering many aspects of Deep IP Protection: challenges/threats, invasive solutions (watermarking), non-invasive solutions (fingerprinting), evaluation metrics, and performance. We finish the survey by identifying promising directions for future research.Comment: 38 pages, 12 figure

The Relationship Between Plasma DPP4 Activity to BDNF Ratio and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Population With Normal Glucose Tolerance

Objective: Since decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and increased dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) activity have both been implicated in the pathogenesis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the aim of our study was to evaluate the association of MCI with plasma DPP4 activity to BDNF ratio (DBR) in an elderly population with normal glucose tolerance.Methods: We cross-sectionally measured C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, nitrotyrosine, 8-iso-PGF2a, DPP4 activity BDNF and calculated the DBR in a total of 1,066 elderly participants in China. MCI was determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and finally confirmed by neurologists.Results: An inverse correlation was found between DPP4 activity and BDNF (r = -0.456, P < 0.001) and this inverse correlation was partly mediated by nitrotyrosine and 8-iso-PGF2a. Across rising quartiles of DBR, nitrotyrosine, 8-iso-PGF2a, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 progressively increased, whereas the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score progressively decreased. Subjects in the lowest quartile of BDNF and highest quartiles of DBR and DPP4 activity, had higher MCI risk compared with subjects in the highest quartile of the BDNF and lowest quartiles of DBR and DPP4 activity, respectively (all P < 0.05). The odds ratio for MCI became more pronounced with decreased BDNF and increased DPP4.Conclusion: In conclusion, a negative correlation was found between DPP4 activity and BDNF, and this negative correlation was partly mediated by oxidative stress, not inflammation. The DBR was positively associated with MCI and thus may be used as a novel risk biomarker for MCI in an elderly population with normal glucose tolerance

Association of Serum Angiopoietin-Like Protein 8 With Albuminuria in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Results From the GDMD Study in China

Background: Hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridesmia are risk factors for albuminuria in type 2 diabetes. Angiopoietin-like Protein 8(ANGPTL8) is a newly identified liver-derived hormone related to these risk factors. Hence, we aimed to explore the relationship between ANGPTL8 and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes.Methods: Serum ANGPTL8 levels were determined in groups of control (n = 50) and type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (A1, n = 100), microalbuminuria (A2, n = 45), and macroalbuminuria (A3, n = 33).Results: Serum levels of ANGPTL8 and triglycerides were significantly increased in type 2 diabetic patients with albuminuria as compared with controls (P < 0.001). ANGPTL8 levels were positively correlated with triglycerides, duration of diabetes, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in type 2 diabetic patients with A2 and A3 (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that ANGPTL8 had higher odds of having A2 (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.16–5.48, P = 0.019) and A3 (OR = 4.89, 95% CI 2.10–11.39, P < 0.001) in type 2 diabetes. Mediation analysis indicated that triglycerides might act as a partial mediator in the relationship between ANGPTL8 and ACR.Conclusions: Triglycerides might partially mediate the correlation between ANGPTL8 and ACR. Our data provide the evidence for a strong link between ANGPTL8 and albuminuria, indicating that ANGPTL8 may be a new biomarker for diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes.Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR-EPC-1400527

Effect of Electromagnetic Frequency on the Flow Behavior in Mold during Bloom Casting

Considering solidification, a large eddy simulation (LES) model of two-phase flow was established to simulate the thermal–magnetic flow coupled fields inside a jumbo bloom. The magnetic field was calculated based on Maxwell’s equations, constitutive equations, and Ohm’s law. An enthalpy–porosity technique was used to model the solidification of the steel. The movement of the free surface was described by the volume of fluid (VOF) approach. With the effect of electromagnetic stirring (MEMS), the vortices in the bloom tended to be strip-like; large vortices mostly appeared in the injection zone, while small ones were found near the surface of the bloom. It is newly found that even though the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is asymmetrical about the bloom, a biased flow can also be found under the effect of MEMS. The reason for this phenomenon is because the magnetic force is asymmetrical and transient. A high frequency will reduce the period of biased flow; however, the frequency should not be too high because it could also intensify meniscus fluctuations and thus entrap slag droplets in the mold. The velocity near the solidification front can also be increased with a higher frequency

MXenes for metal-ion and metal-sulfur batteries: Synthesis, properties, and electrochemistry

In 2011, a new class of 2D materials was discovered; after 2012, they began to be concerned; in 2017, the “gold rush” of the materials was triggered, and they are exactly MXenes. 2D MXenes, a new class of transition metal carbides, carbonitrides and nitrides, have become the star and cutting-edge research materials in the field of emerging batteries systems due to their unique 2D structure, abundant surface chemistry, and excellent physical and electrochemical properties. This review focuses on the MXene materials and summarizes the recent advancements in the synthesis techniques and properties, in addition to a detailed discussion on the electrochemical energy storage applications, including alkali-ion (Li+, Na+, K+) storage, lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries, sodium-sulfur (Na–S) batteries, and metal anode protection. Special attentions are given to the elaborate design of nano-micro structures of MXenes for the various roles as electrodes, multifunctional components, S hosts, modified separators, and metal anode protective layers. The paper ends with a prospective summary of the promising research directions in terms of synthesis, structure, properties, analysis, and production on MXene materials

Strong Association between Plasma Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Activity and Impaired Cognitive Function in Elderly Population with Normal Glucose Tolerance

Objective: Inflammation, oxidative stress, and decreased glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are risk factors for cognitive impairment. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) was identified as a novel adipokine capable of enhancing these risk factors. Hence, we investigated the relationship between plasma DPP4 activity and impaired cognitive function in elderly Chinese population with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from 1229 elderly participants (60 years or older) in Guilin. Plasma DPP4 activity, oxidative stress parameters, fasting active GLP-1, and inflammatory markers were measured in all participants. Impaired cognitive function was diagnosed according to the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association workgroups criteria.Results: Participants in the upper quartile of plasma DPP4 activity had higher C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), 8-iso-PGF2a, nitrotyrosine, and lower GLP-1 and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores compared with those in the lowest quartile (P < 0.001). The odds ratios (ORs) for increased CRP, IL-6, 8-iso-PGF2a, nitrotyrosine, and decreased active GLP-1 were higher with increasing DPP4 quartiles after adjustment for confounders (all P < 0.001). In the highest DPP4 quartile, impaired cognitive function risk was higher (OR, 2.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.36–3.76) than in the lowest quartile after adjustment for potential confounders. The risk for impaired cognitive function increased more with higher levels of DPP4 activity, nitrotyrosine and 8-iso-PGF2a (P < 0.05), but not with higher IL-6, CRP or lower GLP-1.Conclusion: Plasma DPP4 activity is significantly and independently associated with impaired cognitive function, mainly executive, in elderly Chinese population with NGT. The underlying mechanisms for this association may be partly attributed to the effect of DPP4 on oxidative stress. Plasma DPP4 activity might serve as a risk biomarker or therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of impaired cognitive function

A Wide Energy Range and 4π-View Gamma Camera with Interspaced Position-Sensitive Scintillator Array and Embedded Heavy Metal Bars

(1) Background: Gamma cameras have wide applications in industry, including nuclear power plant monitoring, emergency response, and homeland security. The desirable properties of a gamma camera include small weight, good resolution, large field of view (FOV), and wide imageable source energy range. Compton cameras can have a 4π FOV but have limited sensitivity at low energy. Coded-aperture gamma cameras are operatable at a wide photon energy range but typically have a limited FOV and increased weight due to the thick heavy metal collimators and shielding. In our lab, we previously proposed a 4π-view gamma imaging approach with a 3D position-sensitive detector, with which each detector element acts as the collimator for other detector elements. We presented promising imaging performance for 99mTc, 18F, and 137Cs sources. However, the imaging performance for middle- and high-energy sources requires further improvement. (2) Methods: In this study, we present a new gamma camera design to achieve satisfactory imaging performance in a wide gamma energy range. The proposed gamma camera consists of interspaced bar-shaped GAGG (Ce) crystals and tungsten absorbers. The metal bars enhance collimation for high-energy gamma photons without sacrificing the FOV. We assembled a gamma camera prototype and conducted experiments to evaluate the gamma camera’s performance for imaging 57Co, 137Cs, and 60Co point sources. (3) Results: Results show that the proposed gamma camera achieves a positioning accuracy of 137Cs point sources with 10° separation, two 57Co and two 60Co point sources with 20° separation, as well as a 2 × 3 137Cs point-source array with 20° separation. (4) Conclusions: We conclude that the proposed gamma camera design has comprehensive merits, including portability, 4π-view FOV, and good angular resolution across a wide energy range. The presented approach has promising potential in nuclear security applications

Effect of Ca/Mg on Distribution and Morphology of MnS Inclusions in 45MnVS Non-Quenched and Tempered Steel

The influence of Ca treatment, Mg treatment and Ca–Mg combined treatment on the inclusions in 45MnVS non-quenched and tempered steel were studied in the present work. After the melting experiment, a hot rolling test was carried out on the steel ingot. Additionally, the composition, quantity and morphology of inclusions in the test steel samples were analyzed by automatic scanning electron microscopy (ASPEX) and an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer connected to scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). The results indicated that the inclusions in 45MnVS steel mainly consisted of a large amount of sulfides and a small amount of oxides. Sulfide inclusions could be nucleated and precipitated using oxides as a core during solidification. The proportion of spindle-shaped inclusions in sulfide with smaller sizes was higher. The sizes of MnS–oxide inclusions were larger than those of MnS. After hot rolling, the proportion of spindle-shaped MnS and complex sulfides with oxide cores in the samples was increased significantly. Compared with Ca treatment and Ca–Mg treatment, more oxides were formed in the steel with Mg treatment, which can in turn become the cores for sulfide nucleation and precipitation. Thus, the proportion of MnS–oxide inclusions in steel increased. Compared with Ca treatment and Mg treatment, steel with Ca–Mg treatment was more conducive to the formation of complex sulfides, and increased the proportion of spindle-shaped sulfides in 45MnVS steel. After Ca treatment, Mg treatment and Ca–Mg combined treatment, the proportions of spindle-shaped sulfides in steel were 23.31%, 19.39% and 43.24%, respectively