Hyperspectral image coding and transmission scheme based on wavelet transform and distributed source coding

Multimedia Tools and Applications - This paper presents a novel scheme for satellite hyperspectral images broadcasting over wireless channels. First, a simple pre-processing is performed. Then, a...     

Time‐domain hybrid formulations for wave simulations in three‐dimensional PML‐truncated heterogeneous media

We are concerned with the numerical simulation of wave motion in arbitrarily heterogeneous, elastic, perfectly‐matched‐layer‐(PML)‐truncated media. We extend in three dimensions a recently developed two‐dimensional formulation, by treating the PML via an unsplit‐field, but mixed‐field, displacement‐stress formulation, which is then coupled to a standard displacement‐only formulation for the interior domain, thus leading to a computationally cost‐efficient hybrid scheme. The hybrid treatment leads to, at most, third‐order in time semi‐discrete forms. The formulation is flexible enough to accommodate the standard PML, as well as the multi‐axial PML. We discuss several time‐marching schemes, which can be used à la carte, depending on the application: (a) an extended Newmark scheme for third‐order in time, either unsymmetric or fully symmetric semi‐discrete forms; (b) a standard implicit Newmark for the second‐order, unsymmetric semi‐discrete forms; and (c) an explicit Runge–Kutta scheme for a first‐order in time unsymmetric system. The latter is well‐suited for large‐scale problems on parallel architectures, while the second‐order treatment is particularly attractive for ready incorporation in existing codes written originally for finite domains. We compare the schemes and report numerical results demonstrating stability and efficacy of the proposed formulations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fuzzy logic based static VAR compensators for enhancing the performance of synchronous and asynchronous motor loads

The paper presents a simple yet powerful fuzzy logic based static VAR compensator (FLSVC) applied to an industrial power network consisting of three phase synchronous and asynchronous motor loads. In the proposed fuzzy logic controller (FLC), the speed and acceleration variations of a specific machine are taken as the inputs. To demonstrate the effectiveness and capabilities of the employed FLSVC, several non-linear time-domain digital simulation tests are performed. The results show that over a wide range of operating conditions and disturbances, the FLSVC improves remarkably the voltage profile and the overall dynamic performance.     

MATRIX AND CEMENT EFFECTS ON RESIDUAL OIL SATURATION IN SANDSTONE FORMATIONS: A NEURAL NETWORK APPROACH

Residual oil in sandstone is affected by mineral composition, clay matrix and cementing material. Matrix minerals affect the affinity of a fluid to spread on a rock surface significantly and in turn controls the fluid distribution within the pore spaces. At the interface between the rock surface and the contacting fluid, electrical charges are in the origin of the extent of phase wetness. Available framework grains, a dominant component of rock matrix, affect porosity and, hence, amounts of rock preferential wetness. Cement, clay matrix and quartz overgrowth, which make up for the rest of the grain population in a rock, influence wetness and, therefore, amounts of residual oil. In this paper, spectro-electromicroscopy (SEM) point-count technique in conjunction with neural network analysis were used to determine the effect of certains rock parameters on the amounts of residual oil following waterflooding operations. Using artifcial neural network, the intent was then to predict the extent of residual oil in sandstone rocks given limited information about rock matrix, cementing material and primary porosity.     

In Vitro Rescue of the Bile Acid Transport Function of ABCB11 Variants by CFTR Potentiators

ABCB11 is responsible for biliary bile acid secretion at the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. Variations in the ABCB11 gene cause a spectrum of rare liver diseases. The most severe form is progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2). Current medical treatments have limited efficacy. Here, we report the in vitro study of Abcb11 missense variants identified in PFIC2 patients and their functional rescue using cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator potentiators. Three ABCB11 disease-causing variations identified in PFIC2 patients (i.e., A257V, T463I and G562D) were reproduced in a plasmid encoding an Abcb11-green fluorescent protein. After transfection, the expression and localization of the variants were studied in HepG2 cells. Taurocholate transport activity and the effect of potentiators were studied in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) clones coexpressing Abcb11 and the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp/Slc10A1). As predicted using three-dimensional structure analysis, the three variants were expressed at the canalicular membrane but showed a defective function. Ivacaftor, GLP1837, SBC040 and SBC219 potentiators increased the bile acid transport of A257V and T463I and to a lesser extent, of G562D Abcb11 missense variants. In addition, a synergic effect was observed when ivacaftor was combined with SBC040 or SBC219. Such potentiators could represent new pharmacological approaches for improving the condition of patients with ABCB11 deficiency due to missense variations affecting the function of the transporter.     

Iron oxide/gold nanoparticles‐decorated reduced graphene oxide nanohybrid as the thermo‐radiotherapy agent

The main focus of the current study is the fabrication of a multifunctional nanohybrid based on graphene oxide (GO)/iron oxide/gold nanoparticles (NPs) as the combinatorial cancer treatment agent. Gold and iron oxide NPs formed on the GONPs via the in situ synthesis approach. The characterisations showed that gold and iron oxide NPs formed onto the GO. Cell toxicity assessment revealed that the fabricated nanohybrid exhibited negligible toxicity against MCF‐7 cells in low doses (<50 ppm). Temperature measurement showed a time and dose‐dependent heat elevation under the interaction of the nanohybrid with the radio frequency (RF) wave. The highest temperature was recorded using 200 ppm concentration nanohybrid during 40 min exposure. The combinatorial treatments demonstrated that the maximum cell death (average of 53%) was induced with the combination of the nanohybrid with RF waves and radiotherapy (RT). The mechanistic study using the flow cytometry technique illustrated that early apoptosis was the main underlying cell death. Moreover, the dose enhancement factor of 1.63 and 2.63 were obtained from RT and RF, respectively. To sum up, the authors’ findings indicated that the prepared nanohybrid could be considered as multifunctional and combinatorial cancer therapy agents.Inspec keywords: radiation therapy, toxicology, gold, biomedical materials, nanofabrication, nanoparticles, iron compounds, cancer, nanomedicine, cellular biophysics, tumours, graphene compounds, biothermicsOther keywords: graphene oxide nanohybrid, combinatorial cancer treatment agent, cell toxicity assessment, MCF‐7 cells, dose‐dependent heat elevation, multifunctional cancer therapy agents, thermoradiotherapy agent, graphene oxide‐iron oxide‐gold nanoparticles, temperature measurement, radiofrequency wave, flow cytometry, time 40.0 min, CO‐FeO‐Au     

Leakage-resilient security architecture for mobile IPv6 in wireless overlay networks

The coupling of mobility and quality-of-service with security is a challenge that should be addressed in future wireless overlay systems. The mobility of a node can disrupt or even intermittently disconnect an ongoing real-time session because a secure handover must be performed to ensure continuous connectivity. The duration of the such interruptions is called disruption time or handover delay and can heavily affect the user satisfaction. The handover procedure needs to protect its integrity and confidentiality-otherwise, the packets may be rerouted to a malicious node and the legitimate handover may not be performed. The security procedure to ensure this should not lengthen significantly the handover delay to provide good quality real-time services. In this paper, we focus on the network-layer mobility, specifically, on Mobile Internet protocol version 6 (MIPv6) since it is the natural candidate for providing such mobility in future systems. To solve the problem of on-path attackers and prevent leakage of secrets, we propose a security architecture for MIPv6 based on leakage resilient-authenticated key establishment (LR-AKE) protocol and its cooperation with public key infrastructure. The proposed architecture prevents against on-path attackers which was not addressed in the specifications of MIPv6, and also provides robustness against leakage of secret values. Using analytical models, we evaluate MIPv6 handover delay for real-time services. We identify the crucial factors affecting the handover delay among transmission delays of MIPv6, security and LR-AKE messages, queueing delays and en/decryption delays.     

Amine plant simulation by mass transfer and kinetic approach

A computer program has been developed for the simulation of gas-liquid absorption columns. The calculations are based on known assumptions and methods – the two-film theory. Mass and energy balances together with chemical reactions are carried out for each tray of the column. The results obtained from the simulation procedure are compared with those measured at industrial plants. For the items “rich solution temperature” and “calculated number of trays” the agreement of calculated and measured results are satisfactory. However, for the CO₂ and H₂S content of the streams only few comparisons could be made due to the fact that no measured values are available.     

The Influence of C60 Powders On Cultured Human Leukocytes

In order to check its possible acute toxicity, C₆₀ was incorporated into living human phagocytes. It was observed that C₆₀ has no influence on the survival of human leukocytes.