Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Robust Digital Image Watermarking using Quantization and Fuzzy Logic Approach in DWT Domain

In this paper a novel approach to embed watermark into the host image using quantization with the help of Dynamic Fuzzy Inference System (DFIS) is proposed. The cover image is decomposed up to 3- levels using quantization and Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). A bitmap of size 64x64 pixels is embedded into the host image using DFIS rule base. The DFIS is utilized to generate the watermark weighting function to embed the imperceptible watermark. The implemented watermarking algorithm is imperceptible and robust to some normal attacks such as JPEG Compression, salt&pepper noise, median filtering, rotation and cropping. Keywords: Watermark, Quantization, Dynamic Fuzzy Inference System, Imperceptible, Robust, JPEG Compression, Cropping.
IFN-γ Triggered STAT1-PKB/AKT Signalling Pathway Influences the Function of Alloantigen Reactive Regulatory T Cells

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in the induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Rapid and transient production of IFN‐γ by Tregs from mice tolerized to alloantigen in vivo has been shown to be critical for their regulatory function. This IFN‐γ has the potential to affect the function of cells present in the same local microenvironment as the Tregs, including the Tregs themselves. Here we investigated the mechanism by which IFN‐γ produced by Tregs triggered signaling pathways in alloantigen reactive Tregs themselves thereby influencing their function in vivo. We show that IFN‐γ production and STAT1 activation was increased, while STAT1‐dependent PKB/AKT activation was downregulated in alloantigen reactive Tregs. Further, the activation of STAT1 was blocked in IFN‐γ receptor deficient as well as IFN‐γ–deficient Tregs, suggesting that IFN‐γ produced by the alloantigen reactive Tregs might act in an autocrine manner to induce STAT1 activation. Importantly, STAT1‐deficient Tregs failed to control allograft rejection in vivo. Overall, these findings suggest that the IFN‐γ–induced STAT1‐PKB/AKT signaling pathway plays a key role in upregulating the ability of alloantigen reactive Tregs to control graft rejection in vivo.
Resolution enhancement in neural networks with dynamical synapses

Conventionally, information is represented by spike rates in the neural system. Here, we consider the ability of temporally modulated activities in neuronal networks to carry information extra to spike rates. These temporal modulations, commonly known as population spikes, are due to the presence of synaptic depression in a neuronal network model. We discuss its relevance to an experiment on transparent motions in macaque monkeys by Treue et al. in 2000. They found that if the moving directions of objects are too close, the firing rate profile will be very similar to that with one direction. As the difference in the moving directions of objects is large enough, the neuronal system would respond in such a way that the network enhances the resolution in the moving directions of the objects. In this paper, we propose that this behavior can be reproduced by neural networks with dynamical synapses when there are multiple external inputs. We will demonstrate how resolution enhancement can be achieved, and discuss the conditions under which temporally modulated activities are able to enhance information processing performances in general.
Cerebrospinal Fluid 20-HETE Is Associated With Delayed Cerebral Ischemia and Poor Outcomes After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose— Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is a major complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH); it is manifested by changes in cerebral blood flow accompanied by neurological decline, and it results in long-term functional and neuropsychological impairment. Preclinical evidence has demonstrated that the arachidonic acid metabolite, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), affects cerebral microvascular tone and cerebral blood flow after aSAH. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cerebrospinal fluid 20-HETE levels were associated with DCI and long-term neuropsychological outcomes in aSAH patients. Methods— Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected twice daily through 14 days after hemorrhage on 108 acute, adult, aSAH patients. Samples were analyzed for 20-HETE via HPLC MSQ single quadrupole mass spectrometry. DCI was defined as the presence of impaired cerebral blood flow (angiographic vasospasm, elevated transcranial Dopplers, abnormal computed tomography or magnetic resonance perfusion scans) accompanied by neurological deterioration. Outcomes, including death and neuropsychological testing, were completed at 3 months after hemorrhage. Results— Detectable 20-HETE levels were observed in 31% of patient samples and were associated with severity of hemorrhage (Hunt & Hess [HH], P=0.04; Fisher, P=0.05). Detection of 20-HETE was not associated with angiographic vasospasm (P=0.34); however, detectable 20-HETE was significantly associated with DCI (P=0.016). Our data also suggest that detectable 20-HETE was associated with decreased performance in 5 neuropsychological domains. Conclusions— These results provide the first clinical evidence that cerebrospinal fluid 20-HETE concentrations are associated with DCI and poor outcomes, and this provides impetus for future studies to elucidate the clinical utility of inhibiting 20-HETE formation as a novel therapeutic intervention in patients with aSAH.
Elastic and nonlinear response of nanomechanical graphene devices

In this paper, a simple and effective experimental approach has been used to extract the mechanical properties of suspended nanomechanical graphene devices using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The main objective of this work is to study the deflection behaviour of graphene devices as a function of layer number (1–5 layers) and anchor geometry which has not been widely investigated so far. Elastic and nonlinear responses of the devices were obtained using AFM nanoindentation. The estimated linear (2.5 N m−1 to 7.3 N m−1), nonlinear spring constants (1 × 1014 N m−3 to 15 × 1014 N m−3) and pretension (0.79 N m−1 to 2.3 N m−1) for the monolayer (3.35 Å) to five layer (16.75 Å) graphene devices of diameter 3.8 µm show an obvious increasing trend with increase in graphene thickness. The effect of anchor geometry on the force versus deflection behaviour of these devices has also been investigated. The Raman spectroscopy results confirm the absence of defects in the pristine and indented devices. Using the continuum mechanics model, the Young's modulus and 2D elastic modulus of a monolayer graphene device have been found to be 1.12 TPa and 375 N m−1 respectively. The high stiffness and low mass of these devices make them well suited for sensing applications.
Interactions of cyclodextrins and their derivatives with toxic organophosphorus compounds

The aim of this review is to provide an update on the current use of cyclodextrins against organophosphorus compound intoxications. Organophosphorus pesticides and nerve agents play a determinant role in the inhibition of cholinesterases. The cyclic structure of cyclodextrins and their toroidal shape are perfectly suitable to design new chemical scavengers able to trap and hydrolyze the organophosphorus compounds before they reach their biological target.
Gastric Tissue Damage Analysis Generated by Ischemia: Bioimpedance, Confocal Endomicroscopy, and Light Microscopy

The gastric mucosa ischemic tissular damage plays an important role in critical care patients' outcome, because it is the first damaged tissue by compensatory mechanism during shock. The aim of the study is to relate bioimpedance changes with tissular damage level generated by ischemia by means of confocal endomicroscopy and light microscopy. Bioimpedance of the gastric mucosa and confocal images were obtained from Wistar male rats during basal and ischemia conditions. They were anesthetized, and stain was applied (fluorescein and/or acriflavine). The impedance spectroscopy catheter was inserted and then confocal endomicroscopy probe. After basal measurements and biopsy, hepatic and gastric arteries clamping induced ischemia. Finally, pyloric antrum tissue was preserved in buffered formaldehyde (10%) for histology processing using light microscopy. Confocal images were equalized, binarized, and boundary defined, and infiltrations were quantified. Impedance and infiltrations increased with ischemia showing significant changes between basal and ischemia conditions (P < 0.01). Light microscopy analysis allows detection of general alterations in cellular and tissular integrity, confirming gastric reactance and confocal images quantification increments obtained during ischemia.
Adenoid Hypertrophy in Adults: Clinical and Morphological Characteristics

This study compared the aetiology and pathological characteristics of adult and childhood adenoid hypertrophy (AH). Clinical and morphological features and accompanying otolaryngological pathologies were recorded in 40 adults and 23 children undergoing adenoidectomy for obstructive AH. Both AH forms were similar in terms of symptomatology and associated inflammations. There were, however, significant differences in otitis media rate, with effusion and dullness, and retraction in the eardrum both more prevalent in childhood AH. Adult AH was associated with nasal septum deviation in 25.0% of patients. Histopathological features of adenoidal lymphoid tissue were dissimilar in the two groups: numerous lymph follicles with prominent germinal centres was the chief finding in childhood adenoids, whereas adult adenoids showed chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and secondary changes (e.g. squamous metaplasia). These results underline the importance of considering AH as a cause or contributing factor in nasal obstruction and related pathologies in adults and supports the theory that it represents a long-standing inflammatory process rather than being a novel clinical entity.
BlindIDS: Market-Compliant and Privacy-Friendly Intrusion Detection System over Encrypted Traffic

The goal of network intrusion detection is to inspect network traffic in order to identify threats and known attack patterns. One of its key features is Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), that extracts the content of network packets and compares it against a set of detection signatures. While DPI is commonly used to protect networks and information systems, it requires direct access to the traffic content, which makes it blinded against encrypted network protocols such as HTTPS. So far, a difficult choice was to be made between the privacy of network users and security through the inspection of their traffic content to detect attacks or malicious activities. This paper presents a novel approach that bridges the gap between network security and privacy. It makes possible to perform DPI directly on encrypted traffic, without knowing neither the traffic content, nor the patterns of detection signatures. The relevance of our work is that it preserves the delicate balance in the security market ecosystem. Indeed, security editors will be able to protect their distinctive detection signatures and supply service providers only with encrypted attack patterns. In addition, service providers will be able to integrate the encrypted signatures in their architectures and perform DPI without compromising the privacy of network communications. Finally, users will be able to preserve their privacy through traffic encryption, while also benefiting from network security services. The extensive experiments conducted in this paper prove that, compared to existing encryption schemes, our solution reduces by 3 orders of magnitude the connection setup time for new users, and by 6 orders of magnitude the consumed memory space on the DPI appliance.
Degradation study on a commercial copper indium diselenide module

This paper will illustrate the collaborative research conducted by Paul Scherrer Institute and The University of Hong Kong on the behaviour of a commercially available CIS module under real operating conditions. Tests done under different cell temperature, solar irradiance, and air mass conditions facilitate the development of a semi-empirical efficiency model on a newly purchased CIS module. The tests were repeated after one year's exposure to sunlight. The system set-up, measuring procedures, and test results are presented. Following detailed analysis of the results, it is suggested that the PV industry broadens disclosure of module parameters in future technical data published.
Solving hard instances of floorplacement

Physical Design of modern systems on chip is extremely challenging. Such digital integrated circuits often contain tens of millions of logic gates, intellectual property blocks, embedded memories and custom RTL blocks. At current and future technology nodes, their power and performance are impacted, more than ever, by the placement of their modules. However, our experiments show that traditional techniques for placement and floorplanning, and existing academic tools cannot reliably solve the placement task.To study this problem, we identify particularly difficult industrial instances and reproduce the failures of existing tools by modifying public-domain netlists. Furthermore, we propose algorithms that facilitate floorplacement of these difficult instances. Empirically, our techniques consistently produced legal placements, and on instances where comparison is possible, reduced wirelength by 3.5% over Capo 9.4 and 14.5% over PATOMA 1.0 --- the pre-existing tools that most frequently produced legal placements in our experiments.
Shorter contribution The contribution of GOES-9 to operational NWP forecast skill in the Australian region

155°E, 0°S in 2003 and has operated over the Western Pacific, Asia and the Australian region as the primary geostationary meteorological satellite by the joint effort of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NOAA/NESDIS). Since 22 May 2003, GOES-9 GVAR data have been received via direct readout by the Bureau of Meteorology (hereafter referred to as ‘the Bureau’), Victoria, and the calibrated and navigated radiance data (imagery) has subsequently been used to calculate atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs). These operational AMVs are important to Australian region numerical weather prediction (NWP) as no other AMV data are available within operational cut-off times. The method used to determine atmospheric motion differs from that usually employed for GOES series satellite data, particularly in height assignment, error characterisation and quality control. The method resulted from a detailed study of errors in height assignment in the initial experimental system. The AMV data have been used in a real-time trial to gauge their impact on operational regional NWP. Their clear benefit is described below.As a result of this trial these vectors are now being used in the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre (NMOC ) for operational regional NWP.
Disruption of the pollen-expressed FERONIA homologs ANXUR1 and ANXUR2 triggers pollen tube discharge

The precise delivery of male to female gametes during reproduction in eukaryotes requires complex signal exchanges and a flawless communication between male and female tissues. In angiosperms, molecular mechanisms have recently been revealed that are crucial for the dialog between male (pollen tube) and female gametophytes required for successful sperm delivery. When pollen tubes reach the female gametophyte, they arrest growth, burst and discharge their sperm cells. These processes are under the control of the female gametophyte via the receptor-like serine-threonine kinase (RLK) FERONIA (FER). However, the male signaling components that control the sperm delivery remain elusive. Here, we show that ANXUR1 and ANXUR2 (ANX1, ANX2), which encode the closest homologs of the FER-RLK in Arabidopsis, are preferentially expressed in pollen. Moreover, ANX1-YFP and ANX2-YFP fusion proteins display polar localization to the plasma membrane at the tip of the pollen tube. Finally, genetic analyses demonstrate that ANX1 and ANX2 function redundantly to control the timing of pollen tube discharge as anx1 anx2 double-mutant pollen tubes cease their growth and burst in vitro and fail to reach the female gametophytes in vivo. We propose that ANX-RLKs constitutively inhibit pollen tube rupture and sperm discharge at the tip of growing pollen tubes to sustain their growth within maternal tissues until they reach the female gametophytes. Upon arrival, the female FER-dependent signaling cascade is activated to mediate pollen tube reception and fertilization, while male ANX-dependent signaling is deactivated, enabling the pollen tube to rupture and deliver its sperm cells to effect fertilization.
Relationships between milk urea concentrations and nutritional management, production, and economic variables in Ontario dairy herds.

The objectives of this study were to describe the relationships between milk urea concentrations and nutritional management, production, and economic variables in commercial dairy herds. Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) test-day milk urea data, production data, and information on ration nutrient composition and feeding management programs were collected over a 13-mo period from 53 commercial Ontario dairy herds. Economic variables included gross milk revenue, feed costs, and income over feed costs. Herd mean milk urea concentrations had a positive relationship with dietary levels of crude protein (CP), rumen degradable protein (RDP), and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and a negative relationship with dietary levels of nonfiber carbohydrates (NFC), forage:concentrate (F:C) ratio, NFC:CP ratio, and NFC:RDP ratio. These findings are consistent with experimental studies that used chemical methods of milk urea analysis. Herd mean milk urea concentration was not associated with feeding management (e.g., total mixed rations, component feeding, feeding frequency, or synchrony of forage and concentrate feeding). Herd mean milk urea was not associated with either mean milk yield or linear score. Herd mean milk urea had a positive relationship with feed costs per cow per day but was not associated with gross milk revenue per cow per day. Herds with a high mean milk urea concentration tended to have lower income over feed costs per cow per day. High herd mean milk urea concentrations were associated with higher feed costs per kilogram of milk fat but lower gross milk revenue and lower income over feed costs per kilogram of milk fat. The results of this study demonstrate that DHI milk urea measurements produced by an infrared test method offer a useful tool for monitoring the efficiency of nitrogen utilization in commercial dairy herds. The results also suggest that diets may be balanced to achieve greater efficiency of nitrogen utilization, lower milk urea concentrations, and lower feed costs, while still achieving high milk production. This may lead to improved income over feed costs.
Prmt7 Deficiency Causes Reduced Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Metabolism and Age-Related Obesity

Maintenance of skeletal muscle function is critical for metabolic health and the disruption of which exacerbates many chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Skeletal muscle responds to exercise or metabolic demands by a fiber-type switch regulated by signaling-transcription networks that remains to be fully defined. Here, we report that protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (Prmt7) is a key regulator for skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism. Prmt7 is expressed at the highest levels in skeletal muscle and decreased in skeletal muscles with age or obesity. Prmt7−/− muscles exhibit decreased oxidative metabolism with decreased expression of genes involved in muscle oxidative metabolism, including PGC-1α. Consistently, Prmt7−/− mice exhibited significantly reduced endurance exercise capacities. Furthermore, Prmt7−/− mice exhibit decreased energy expenditure, which might contribute to the exacerbated age-related obesity of Prmt7−/− mice. Similarly to Prmt7−/− muscles, Prmt7 depletion in myoblasts also reduces PGC-1α expression and PGC-1α–promoter driven reporter activities. Prmt7 regulates PGC-1α expression through interaction with and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), which in turn activates ATF2, an upstream transcriptional activator for PGC-1α. Taken together, Prmt7 is a novel regulator for muscle oxidative metabolism via activation of p38MAPK/ATF2/PGC-1α.
The Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Titanium Alloys

High cost is the major reason that there is not more wide-spread use of titanium alloys. Powder Metallurgy (P/M) represents one cost effective approach to fabrication of titanium components and Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an emerging attractive PM Technique . In this paper AM is discussed with the emphasis on the “work horse” titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. The various approaches to AM are presented and discussed, followed by some examples of components produced by AM. The microstructures and mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V produced by AM are listed and shown to compare very well with cast and wrought product. Finally, the economic advantages to be gained using the AM technique compared to conventionally processed material are presented. Key words: Additive Manufacturing (AM), 3D Printing, CAD, CAM, Laser, Electron beam, near net shape, remanufacturing, Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Direct Energy Deposition (DED)
Clinicovirologic analysis of hepatitis C infection in transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia major children

Regular blood transfusion puts β‐thalassemia major patients at a higher risk of developing hepatic iron overload and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The association between several transfusion‐related factors and an increased risk of developing HCV viremia has been reported. The effect of HCV infection on liver damage in transfusion‐dependent thalassemia patients has been poorly described. A sample of 100 Egyptian transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia major children were studied. Individual patients underwent full history taking, clinical examination and a panel of laboratory tests including HCV ribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction (HCV‐PCR) in blood samples. Liver biopsy was performed for 24 patients. HCV‐PCR was positive in 64% of patients. A statistically significant correlation was found between HCV‐PCR positivity (HCV viremia) and shorter inter‐transfusion interval. There was a significant positive correlation between mean serum ferritin level and mean levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartase aminotransferase. Histopathologic features of both chronic hepatitis and siderosis were present in 91.7% of biopsy specimens, and fibrosis was present in 41.67%. A higher risk of HCV viremia is noted with a shorter inter‐transfusion interval. The reduced role of HCV infection in chronic liver injury in this group of patients may be surpassed by the associated effects of iron overload because of the chronic transfusion. However, the latter finding should be verified in larger studies.