Framework for reversible data hiding using cost-effective encoding system for video steganography

Importances of reversible data hiding practices are always higher in contrast to any conventional data hiding schemes owing to its capability to generate distortion free cover media. Review of existing approaches on reversible data hiding approaches shows variable scheme mainly focussing on the embedding mechanism; however, such schemes could be furthermore improved using encoding scheme for optimal embedding performance. Therefore, the proposed manuscript discusses about a cost-effective scheme where a novel encoding scheme has been used with larger block sizes which reduces the dependencies over larger number of blocks. Further a gradient-based image registration technique is applied to ensure higher quality of the reconstructed signal over the decoding end. The study outcome shows that proposed data hiding technique is proven better than existing data hiding scheme with good balance between security and restored signal quality upon extraction of data

The cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka: an annotated provisional catalogue, regional checklist and bibliography

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. The attached file is the published version of the article.NHM Repositor

Balloon observations of hard X-rays from NGC 4151 and an X-ray transient source

An X-ray telescope consisting of 400 sq cm phoswich detectors (NaI(Tl)/CsI(Na)) was flown from Hyderabad (India) on 31 October 1980; the field of view was 11 deg x 1 deg FWHM. During a five hour observation at 5 millibars two X-ray sources were seen: (1) the variable Seyfert Galaxy NGC 4151; and (2) a transident of approximately 8 minutes duration in the vicinity of the variable source 4U1444 43 which may be associated with the galaxy NGC 5608. X-ray fluxes and spectra in 18-120 keV X-rays are presented

Olfactory dysfunction in patients with primary progressive MS

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that olfactory function is more impaired in patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) than that in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). METHODS: Standardized olfactory testing was performed in 32 patients with PPMS, 32 patients with RRMS, and 32 healthy controls (HCs). Patients with olfactory dysfunction due to an alternative primary etiology were excluded. The validated olfactory testing method yielded individual scores for olfactory threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification, along with a composite Threshold Discrimination Identification (TDI) score. RESULTS: Olfactory dysfunction was identified in 27 (84%) patients with PPMS, 10 (31%) patients with RRMS, and 1 (3%) HC. While age and sex were similar between PPMS and HCs, the TDI score and all olfactory subscores were significantly worse in patients with PPMS compared with HCs (all p < 0.001). After adjustment for differences in age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and disease duration, odor discrimination, odor identification, and the composite TDI score were worse in patients with PPMS vs RRMS (p = 0.03, 0.04, and 0.02, respectively). Neither age, sex, EDSS, nor disease duration was significantly associated with the composite TDI score. CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory dysfunction was more frequent and severe in PPMS compared with RRMS, independent of disease duration and overall disability status. Further research on cellular level differences in olfactory neural pathways may lead to new insights about disease pathogenesis in MS

Balloon observations of hard X-rays from some galactic X-ray sources

An X-ray telescope consisting of 400 cm phoswich detectors (NaI(T1)/CsI(Na)) was flown from Hyderabad (India) on 18 December 1984. The field of view was 5 deg x 5 deg FWHM. In a 10 hour float at 4 MB several galactic X-ray sources were tracked by the telescope using an on-board microprocessor. Fluxes and spectra in 18-120 keV X-rays for SCO X-1, GX 1+4, Gx 5-1, GX 17+2, SCT X-1, CYC X-1 an CYG X-3 will be presented

Evaluation of Progesterone Agent Utilization and Birth Outcomes in a State Medicaid Plan

An analysis of medication adherence and birth outcomes among members receiving progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in a state Medicaid program. Data is also used to evaluate the association between member characteristics and medication adherence and birth outcomes as well as whether there was a change in the cost of care

Multi-trait mimicry of ants by a parasitoid wasp

Many animals avoid attack from predators through toxicity or the emission of repellent chemicals. Defensive mimicry has evolved in many species to deceive shared predators, for instance through colouration and other morphological adaptations, but mimicry hardly ever seems to involve multi-trait similarities. Here we report on a wingless parasitoid wasp that exhibits a full spectrum of traits mimicing ants and affording protection against ground-dwelling predators (wolf spiders). In body size, morphology and movement Gelis agilis (Ichneumonidae) is highly similar to the black garden ant (Lasius niger) that shares the same habitat. When threatened, G. agilis also emits a volatile chemical that is similar to an ant-produced chemical that repels spiders. In bioassays with L. niger, G. agilis, G. areator, Cotesia glomerata and Drosophila melanogaster, ants and G. agilis were virtually immune to spider attack, in contrast the other species were not. Volatile characterisation with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified G. agilis emissions as 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, a known insect defence semiochemical that acts as an alarm pheromone in ants. We argue that multi-trait mimicry, as observed in G. agilis, might be much more common among animals than currently realized

Depletion and activation of microglia impact metabolic connectivity of the mouse brain

AimWe aimed to investigate the impact of microglial activity and microglial FDG uptake on metabolic connectivity, since microglial activation states determine FDG-PET alterations. Metabolic connectivity refers to a concept of interacting metabolic brain regions and receives growing interest in approaching complex cerebral metabolic networks in neurodegenerative diseases. However, underlying sources of metabolic connectivity remain to be elucidated.Materials and methodsWe analyzed metabolic networks measured by interregional correlation coefficients (ICCs) of FDG-PET scans in WT mice and in mice with mutations in progranulin (Grn) or triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2) knockouts ((-/-)) as well as in double mutant Grn(-/-)/Trem2(-/-) mice. We selected those rodent models as they represent opposite microglial signatures with disease associated microglia in Grn(-/-) mice and microglia locked in a homeostatic state in Trem2(-/-) mice;however, both resulting in lower glucose uptake of the brain. The direct influence of microglia on metabolic networks was further determined by microglia depletion using a CSF1R inhibitor in WT mice at two different ages. Within maps of global mean scaled regional FDG uptake, 24 pre-established volumes of interest were applied and assigned to either cortical or subcortical networks. ICCs of all region pairs were calculated and z-transformed prior to group comparisons. FDG uptake of neurons, microglia, and astrocytes was determined in Grn(-/-) and WT mice via assessment of single cell tracer uptake (scRadiotracing).ResultsMicroglia depletion by CSF1R inhibition resulted in a strong decrease of metabolic connectivity defined by decrease of mean cortical ICCs in WT mice at both ages studied (6-7 m;p = 0.0148, 9-10 m;p = 0.0191), when compared to vehicle-treated age-matched WT mice. Grn(-/-), Trem2(-/-) and Grn(-/-)/Trem2(-/-) mice all displayed reduced FDG-PET signals when compared to WT mice. However, when analyzing metabolic networks, a distinct increase of ICCs was observed in Grn(-/-) mice when compared to WT mice in cortical (p < 0.0001) and hippocampal (p < 0.0001) networks. In contrast, Trem2(-/-) mice did not show significant alterations in metabolic connectivity when compared to WT. Furthermore, the increased metabolic connectivity in Grn(-/-) mice was completely suppressed in Grn(-/-)/Trem2(-/-) mice. Grn(-/-) mice exhibited a severe loss of neuronal FDG uptake (- 61%, p < 0.0001) which shifted allocation of cellular brain FDG uptake to microglia (42% in Grn(-/-) vs. 22% in WT).ConclusionsPresence, absence, and activation of microglia have a strong impact on metabolic connectivity of the mouse brain. Enhanced metabolic connectivity is associated with increased microglial FDG allocation