QR code–based ECG signal encryption/decryption algorithm

The paper presents a novel and enhanced bio-signal (ECG) cryptographic technique in which a QR code has been successfully utilized as a data container. The bio-signal encryption process considers ECG samples in the form of integers in order to create corresponding binary pair sequences that are converted as equivalent ciphertext information. Subsequently, the generated ciphertexts are transformed into QR code by using a QR code generator/reader in order to ensure further security. The encryption process generates a binary key for each binary pair that will be used during signal decryption. The imperceptibility of a reconstructed ECG signal is evaluated by analyzing performance metrics in terms of PSNR and PRD values. The average PSNR values are found to be above 42?dB, whereas PRD values observed were less than 3.43 percent. It is further proved that the proposed technique can encrypt a maximum of 226?kb of diagnose data by using merely seven QR codes.     

Synthesis of highly pure and dense 0.9(KNbO3)-0.1(BaNi1/2Nb1/2O3-δ) ceramic with superior magnetic properties

Residual NiO phase is generally detected in 0.9(KNbO₃)–0.1(BaNi_1/2Nb_1/2O_3-δ) (KBNNO) synthesized using NiO as a nickel precursor by solid-state reaction. In this work, NiO phase is found to exist in the form of the residual NiO particles with a size of 100-200 nm using energy dispersive X-ray elemental mapping. These NiO residual particles are eliminated by using nickel acetate as a nickel precursor and a 100% perovskite phase KBNNO is successfully synthesized at as low as 600°C temperature. Furthermore, using the two-step sintering technique, 100% relative density is achieved in this material. The nickel acetate–based KBNNO shows a robust ferromagnetism with the saturation magnetization of 11.42 memu/g and the remanent magnetization of 3.89 memu/g which is 38 times higher than that of previously reported value in NiO-based KBNNO. Thus, a highly pure and fully dense KBNNO ceramic with superior magnetic properties is obtained using nickel acetate and by the two-step sintering method. This is a key step forward in the processing of KBNNO and is likely to have a significant impact on other physical properties of this newly invented and promising photovoltaic perovskite material.     

Novel Mn4+ doped Ca2GdSbO6 red–emitting phosphor: A potential color converter for light-emitting diodes

As potential color converter towards white/red light–emitting diodes, novel Ca₂GdSbO₆:Mn⁴⁺ phosphors with excellent optical performances were prepared by a conventional solid–state reaction route. The as–prepared phosphors with monoclinic crystal system had abundant [SbO₆] octahedrons for Mn⁴⁺ ions to occupy and stably exist. With an excitation of 356 nm, an intense red emission peaking at 676 nm attributed to ²E_g→⁴A_2g transition of Mn⁴⁺ ions can be observed in the emission spectrum. The critical concentration of Mn⁴⁺ ions was found to be 0.6 mol% and the concentration quenching mechanism was also discussed in detail. Importantly, the Ca₂GdSbO₆:0.6%Mn⁴⁺ phosphors exhibited a high internal quantum efficiency of 38.9%.     

Screening of Yeast Display Libraries of Enzymatically Treated Peptides to Discover Macrocyclic Peptide Ligands

We present the construction and screening of yeast display libraries of post-translationally modified peptides wherein site-selective enzymatic treatment of linear peptides is achieved using bacterial transglutaminase. To this end, we developed two alternative routes, namely (i) yeast display of linear peptides followed by treatment with recombinant transglutaminase in solution; or (ii) intracellular co-expression of linear peptides and transglutaminase to achieve peptide modification in the endoplasmic reticulum prior to yeast surface display. The efficiency of peptide modification was evaluated via orthogonal detection of epitope tags integrated in the yeast-displayed peptides by flow cytometry, and via comparative cleavage of putative cyclic vs. linear peptides by tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease. Subsequently, yeast display libraries of transglutaminase-treated peptides were screened to isolate binders to the N-terminal region of the Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and its WW domains using magnetic selection and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). The identified peptide cyclo[E-LYLAYPAH-K] featured a K_D of 1.75 μM for YAP and 0.68 μM for the WW domains of YAP as well as high binding selectivity against albumin and lysozyme. These results demonstrate the usefulness of enzyme-mediated cyclization in screening combinatorial libraries to identify cyclic peptide binders.     

Dual-Layer Oxidation-Protective Plasma-Sprayed SiC-ZrB<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Carbon Nanotube Coating on Graphite

Graphite is used in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors because of its outstanding irradiation performance and corrosion resistance. To restrict its high-temperature (>873 K) oxidation, atmospheric-plasma-sprayed SiC-ZrB₂-Al₂O₃-carbon nanotube (CNT) dual-layer coating was deposited on graphite substrate in this work. The effect of each layer was isolated by processing each component of the coating via spark plasma sintering followed by isothermal kinetic studies. Based on isothermal analysis and the presence of high residual thermal stress in the oxide scale, degradation appeared to be more severe in composites reinforced with CNTs. To avoid the complexity of analysis of composites, the high-temperature activation energy for oxidation was calculated for the single-phase materials only, yielding values of 11.8, 20.5, 43.5, and 4.5 kJ/mol for graphite, SiC, ZrB₂, and CNT, respectively, with increased thermal stability for ZrB₂ and SiC. These results were then used to evaluate the oxidation rate for the composites analytically. This study has broad implications for wider use of dual-layer (SiC-ZrB₂/Al₂O₃) coatings for protecting graphite crucibles even at temperatures above 1073 K.