Accurate and robust localization of duplicated region in copy–move image forgery

Copy–move image forgery detection has recently become a very active research topic in blind image forensics. In copy–move image forgery, a region from some image location is copied and pasted to a different location of the same image. Typically, post-processing is applied to better hide the forgery. Using keypoint-based features, such as SIFT features, for detecting copy–move image forgeries has produced promising results. The main idea is detecting duplicated regions in an image by exploiting the similarity between keypoint-based features in these regions. In this paper, we have adopted keypoint-based features for copy–move image forgery detection; however, our emphasis is on accurate and robust localization of duplicated regions. In this context, we are interested in estimating the transformation (e.g., affine) between the copied and pasted regions more accurately as well as extracting these regions as robustly by reducing the number of false positives and negatives. To address these issues, we propose using a more powerful set of keypoint-based features, called MIFT, which shares the properties of SIFT features but also are invariant to mirror reflection transformations. Moreover, we propose refining the affine transformation using an iterative scheme which improves the estimation of the affine transformation parameters by incrementally finding additional keypoint matches. To reduce false positives and negatives when extracting the copied and pasted regions, we propose using “dense” MIFT features, instead of standard pixel correlation, along with hysteresis thresholding and morphological operations. The proposed approach has been evaluated and compared with competitive approaches through a comprehensive set of experiments using a large dataset of real images (i.e., CASIA v2.0). Our results indicate that our method can detect duplicated regions in copy–move image forgery with higher accuracy, especially when the size of the duplicated region is small.     

Decode-to-cooperate: a sequential alamouti-coded cooperation strategy in dual-hop wireless relay networks

An optimal cooperation strategy, decode-to-cooperate, is proposed and investigated for performance improvements in dual-hop wireless relay networks. Based on decode-and-forward (DF) strategy with multiple relay selection, we design a novel scheme such that the source node keeps transmitting sequentially and the selected relays cooperate by transmitting the decoded signal using distributed Alamouti coding. We exploit the multipath propagation effect of the wireless channel to achieve lower probability of error and introduce optimum power allocation and relay positioning. We analyze the scenario when the source to destination direct link is not available and derive a closed form expression for symbol error rate (SER), its upper bound and an asymptotically tight approximation to exploit the performance gain by selecting the optimum relays in a multiple-relay cooperation scheme. Moreover, asymptotic optimum power allocation (based on the SER approximation) and optimal relay positioning are also considered to further improve the SER. The proposed relay selection scheme outperforms cooperative (DF) and non-cooperative schemes by more than 2 dB.     

Power Mitigation by Performance Equalization in a Heterogeneous Reconfigurable Multicore Architecture

This paper presents an integrated self-aware computing model mitigating the power dissipation of a heterogeneous reconfigurable multicore architecture by dynamically scaling the operating frequency of each core. The power mitigation is achieved by equalizing the performance of all the cores for an uninterrupted exchange of data. The multicore platform consists of heterogeneous Coarse-Grained Reconfigurable Arrays (CGRAs) of application-specific sizes and a Reduced Instruction-Set Computing (RISC) core. The CGRAs and the RISC core are integrated with each other over a Network-on-Chip (NoC) of six nodes arranged in a topology of two rows and three columns. The RISC core constantly monitors and controls the performance of each CGRA accelerator by adjusting the operating frequencies unless the performance of all the CGRAs is optimally balanced over the platform. The CGRA cores on the platform are processing some of the most computationally-intensive signal processing algorithms while the RISC core establishes packet based synchronization between the cores for computation and communication. All the cores can access each other’s computational and memory resources while processing the kernels simultaneously and independently of each other. Besides general-purpose processing and overall platform supervision, the RISC processor manages performance equalization among all the cores which mitigates the overall dynamic power dissipation by 20.7 % for a proof-of-concept test.     

Structure and charge transport mechanism in hydrothermally synthesized (La<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>MnO<Subscript>3</Subscript>) cubic perovskite manganite

Perovskite manganites with chemical formula La_0.5Ba_0.5MnO₃ (LBMO) samples were synthesized though the hydrothermal process by heating suitable reactants at 270?°C in an autoclave for 25 h. After washing with de-ionized water several times, the as prepared samples were then calcined at different temperatures, ranging from 120 to 1000?°C to remove the impurities. Final sintering of the sample was carried out at 1350?°C for 24 h. Subsequent X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were also carried out. Rietveld refinement of XRD data for the sample sintered at 1350?°C confirmed single phase cubic structure with lattice parameter a?=?3.9057? and space group P m ?3 m. The dc electrical measurements were performed in a broad range of temperatures from 77 to 870 K on this sample. The focal point of this study was to obtain microscopic parameters and characteristic length in order to discuss the relationship between magnetic, electric and phonon excitations. The electrical resistivity measurements revealed a metallic/ferromagnetic to semiconductor/paramagnetic phase transition (T_C) at 339 K. In the metallic region the experimental data best fitted the resistivity equation \(\uprho (\text{T})={\uprho _{o}}+{\uprho _2}{\text{T}^2}+{\uprho _{2.5}}{\text{T}^{2.5}}+{\uprho _{4.5}}{\text{T}^{4.5}}\) showing that the resistivity effect arises due to residual impurities, grain boundaries, electron–electron (e–e), electron–magnon (e–mag) and electron–phonon (e–ph) scattering. The analysis of the resistivity data above T_C has shown a transformation in conduction mechanism from Mott’s variable range hopping (MVRH) to small polaron hopping (SPH), around 585 K. Hopping of carriers to larger distances with multiplying values of activation energies are analyzed through MVRH below 585 K. Above 585 K, the carriers were found to be trapped by several scattering centers through small polaron, this behavior having been interpreted in the light of SPH model.     

Enhanced Performance of MoS2 Photodetectors by Inserting an ALD‐Processed TiO2 Interlayer

2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) possesses excellent optoelectronic properties that make it a promising candidate for use in high‐performance photodetectors. Yet, to meet the growing demand for practical and reliable MoS₂ photodetectors, the critical issue of defect introduction to the interface between the exfoliated MoS₂ and the electrode metal during fabrication must be addressed, because defects deteriorate the device performance. To achieve this objective, the use of an atomic layer‐deposited TiO₂ interlayer (between exfoliated MoS₂ and electrode) is reported in this work, for the first time, to enhance the performance of MoS₂ photodetectors. The TiO₂ interlayer is inserted through 20 atomic layer deposition cycles before depositing the electrode metal on MoS₂/SiO₂ substrate, leading to significantly enhanced photoresponsivity and response speed. These results pave the way for practical applications and provide a novel direction for optimizing the interlayer material.     

Intrinsic polarization and resistive leakage analyses in high performance piezo-/pyroelectric Ho-doped 0.64PMN-0.36PT binary ceramic

This paper presents in detail the ferroelectric properties of Ho-doped 0.64Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.36PbTiO₃ ceramic including determination of intrinsic polarization and investigation of resistive leakage. The effect of Ho³⁺ doping on the structure, dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of PMN-PT ceramics was studied. Perovskite phase of pure and Ho-doped 0.64Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.36PbTiO₃ ceramics were synthesized using solid state reaction method. Powder XRD confirmed the incorporation of Ho³⁺ ions in PMN-PT lattice. EDX spectra confirmed the existence of Ho and its homogeneity in doped-sample. The average grain size, transition temperature and dielectric loss factor (tan δ) decreased while the density and the dielectric constant of the PMN-PT ceramic increased by Ho doping. Furthermore, an increase in the ferroelectric properties and the piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃¹, from 547 to 610?pm/V) were observed for doped sample. The ‘Remanent Hysteresis Task’ revealed that a major portion (80.42%) of the remanent polarization (P_r) is switchable in the sample which makes Ho-doped PMN-PT a potential material for memory switching devices. Time-dependent compensated (TDC) hysteresis task and fatigue test were carried out which revealed resistive leakage and fatigue free nature of Ho-doped PMN-PT ceramic. These results demonstrate that Ho-doped PMN-PT ceramic possesses excellent properties to achieve a variety of applications.     

CMOS Enabled Microfluidic Systems for Healthcare Based Applications

With the increased global population, it is more important than ever to expand accessibility to affordable personalized healthcare. In this context, a seamless integration of microfluidic technology for bioanalysis and drug delivery and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology enabled data‐management circuitry is critical. Therefore, here, the fundamentals, integration aspects, and applications of CMOS‐enabled microfluidic systems for affordable personalized healthcare systems are presented. Critical components, like sensors, actuators, and their fabrication and packaging, are discussed and reviewed in detail. With the emergence of the Internet‐of‐Things and the upcoming Internet‐of‐Everything for a people–process–data–device connected world, now is the time to take CMOS‐enabled microfluidics technology to as many people as possible. There is enormous potential for microfluidic technologies in affordable healthcare for everyone, and CMOS technology will play a major role in making that happen.     

Noninvasive Featherlight Wearable Compliant “Marine Skin”: Standalone Multisensory System for Deep‐Sea Environmental Monitoring

Advances in marine research to understand environmental change and its effect on marine ecosystems rely on gathering data on species physiology, their habitat, and their mobility patterns using heavy and invasive biologgers and sensory telemetric networks. In the past, a lightweight (6 g) compliant environmental monitoring system: Marine Skin was demonstrated. In this paper, an enhanced version of that skin with improved functionalities (500–1500% enhanced sensitivity), packaging, and most importantly its endurance at a depth of 2 km in the highly saline Red Sea water for four consecutive weeks is reported. A unique noninvasive approach for attachment of the sensor by designing a wearable, stretchable jacket (bracelet) that can adhere to any species irrespective of their skin type is also illustrated. The wearable featherlight (<0.5 g in air, 3 g with jacket) gadget is deployed on Barramundi, Seabream, and common goldfish to demonstrate the noninvasive and effective attachment strategy on different species of variable sizes which does not hinder the animals' natural movement or behavior.     

Abdominal pain during pregnancy

In evaluating the pregnant patient with abdominal pain, the physician is presented with a wide range of diagnostic possibilities, including disorders that can occur in nonpregnant individuals and disorders that are unique to pregnancy. The development of modern laboratory testing methods and diagnostic imaging techniques has led to a decline in the morbidity and mortality from many of these disorders. With an understanding of the physiologic changes occurring during pregnancy, a careful history and physical examination, and judicious use of laboratory tests and imaging studies, the physician should be able to determine the cause of the patient's pain in the great majority of cases and, in the words of Babler, avoid "the mortality of delay."