Optimized SVD-based robust watermarking in the fractional Fourier domain

Digital watermarking is one of the most effective methods for protecting multimedia from different kind of threats. It has been used for many purposes, like copyright protection, ownership identification, tamper detection, etc. Many watermarking applications require embedding techniques that provide robustness against common watermarking attacks, like compression, noise, filtering, etc. In this paper, an optimized robust watermarking method is proposed using Fractional Fourier Transform and Singular Value Decomposition. The approach provides a secure way for watermarking through the embedding parameters that are required for the watermark extraction. It is a block-based method, where each watermark bit is embedded in its corresponding image block. First, the transform is applied to each block, and then the singular values are evaluated through which the embedding modification is performed. The optimum fractional powers, of the transform, and the embedding strength factor are evaluated through a Meta-heuristic optimization to optimize the watermark imperceptibility and robustness. The Artificial Bee Colony is used as the Meta-heuristic optimization method. A fitness function is employed, at the optimization process, through which the maximum achievable robustness can be provided without degrading the watermarking quality below a predetermined quality threshold Qth. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through a comparison with recent watermarking techniques in terms of the watermarking performance. The watermarking quality and robustness are evaluated for different quality threshold values. Experimental results show that the proposed approach achieves a better quality compared to that of other existing watermarking methods. On the other hand, the robustness is examined against the most common applied attacks. It is noticed that the proposed method can achieve a higher robustness degree when decreasing the quality threshold value.     

Energy efficient and robust allocation of interdependent tasks on mobile ad hoc computational grid

A mobile ad hoc computational grid is a distributed computing infrastructure that allows mobile nodes to share computing resources in a mobile ad hoc environment. Compared to traditional distributed systems such as grids and clouds, resource allocation in mobile ad hoc computational grids is not straightforward because of node mobility, limited battery power and an infrastructure‐less network environment. The existing schemes are either based on a decentralized architecture that results in poor allocation decisions or assume independent tasks. This paper presents a scheme that allocates interdependent tasks and aims to reduce task completion time and the amount of energy consumed in transmission of data. This scheme comprises two key algorithms: resource selection and resource allocation. The resource selection algorithm is designed to select nodes that remain connected for a longer period, whereas the resource assignment or allocation algorithm is developed to allocate interdependent tasks to the nodes that are accessible at the minimum transmission power. The scheme is based on a hybrid architecture that results in effective allocation decisions, reduces the communication cost associated with the exchange of control information, and distributes the processing burden among the nodes. The paper also investigates the relationship between the data transfer time and transmission energy consumption and presents a power‐based routing protocol to reduce data transfer costs and transmission energy consumption. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An Environmentally Benign,Highly Efficient Catalytic Reduction of p‐Nitrophenol using a Nano‐Sized Nickel Catalyst Supported on Silica‐Alumina

A green and effective method is reported for the reduction of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol using a nano‐sized nickel catalyst supported on silica‐alumina in the presence of hydrazine hydrate as an alternative source of hydrogen. It was found that nickel loaded on a silica‐alumina support is a very effective catalyst in the hydrogenation of p‐nitrophenol to p‐aminophenol. Thus it attained 100% conversion in only 69 seconds instead of 260 seconds for commercial Raney nickel. In addition, the possibility to reuse it more than one time with great efficiency gives it another advantage over commercial Rainey nickel which cannot be used more than once. This economical and environmentally friendly method provides a potentially new approach for the synthesis of the intermediate product of paracetamol in industry, which overcomes the drawbacks of the known reduction methods. The prepared catalysts were fully characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX), and electron spin resonance (ESR) tehniques.     

Semisynthetic Latrunculin Derivatives as Inhibitors of Metastatic Breast Cancer: Biological Evaluations,Preliminary Structure–Activity Relationship and Molecular Modeling Studies

The microfilament cytoskeleton protein actin plays an important role in cell biology and affects cytokinesis, morphogenesis, and cell migration. These functions usually fail and become abnormal in cancer cells. The marine‐derived macrolides latrunculins A and B, from the Red Sea sponge Negombata magnifica, are known to reversibly bind actin monomers, forming 1:1 stoichiometric complexes with G‐actin, disrupting its polymerization. To identify novel therapeutic agents for effective treatment of metastatic breast cancer, several semisynthetic derivatives of latrunculin A with diverse steric, electrostatic, and hydrogen bond donor and acceptor properties were rationally prepared. Analogues were designed to modulate the binding affinity toward G‐actin. Examples of these reactions are esterification, acetylation, and N‐alkylation. Semisynthetic latrunculins were then tested for their ability to inhibit pyrene‐conjugated actin polymerization, and subsequently assayed for their antiproliferative and anti‐invasive properties against MCF7 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells using MTT and invasion assays, respectively.     

Optical parameters and absorption studies of UV‐irradiated azo dye‐doped PMMA films

PMMA and PMMA films doped with different contents of azo dye have been made by using the casting technique. The absorption spectral analysis showed that the doped films have two absorption bands attributed to the π‐π* and n‐π* transition of chromophore groups. These bands disappear upon UV‐irradiation, suggesting that the studied system undergoes a photo degradation process. The absorption coefficient and optical energy gap (E_g) have been obtained from the absorption edge in the 200–900 nm range. It was found that E_g decreases with increasing doping levels, whereas it increases with increasing irradiation time. The width of the tail of localized states in the band gap (ΔE) was evaluated using the Urbach edge method. Some optical parameters were determined from the reflection and transmission spectra in the spectral range of 200–2500 nm. The dependence of the refractive index on irradiation time and doping level have been discussed. It was found that the photo‐induced refractive index changes are very large. These changes suggest the applicability of the studied system in optical devices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Electrochemical bleaching of kraft bagasse pulp using a new cell design

In situ single‐stage electrochemical bleaching of kraft bagasse pulp was carried out in a cylindrical agitated vessel fitted with four graphite rod anodes and a cylindrical stainless steel screen cathode, using NaCl as an electrolyte. The effect of current density, pH, NaCl concentration, impeller rotational speed, temperature, and pulp consistency on the rate of bleaching was studied. It was found that the rate of bleaching increased with increasing current density, NaCl concentration, and temperature and decreased with increasing pH and pulp consistency. The effect of temperature was found to fit Arrhenius equation with an activation energy of 0.515 kcal/mol, which denotes a diffusion‐controlled mechanism. Energy consumption (EC) calculation showed that EC ranged from 0.225 to 3.11 kWh/kg dry pulp depending on the current density. The strength of bleached pulp was little affected by bleaching lying within an acceptable range.     

Pitting and pitting control of Al in gluconic acid solutions - Polarization, chronoamperometry and morphological studies

The anodic behaviour of Al in gluconic acid (HG) solutions was studied. Al was found to pit in such solutions. Surface and cross-sectional views of the SEM images recorded beyond the breakdown potential (E_b) revealed the occurrence of intense pitting attack with the formation of large hemispherical pits. The effect of adding some environmentally acceptable inorganic inhibitors (tungstates, molybdates or silicates) on the pitting corrosion behaviour of Al in HG solutions was also studied. Measurements were carried out under the influence of various experimental variables based on polarization and chronoamperometric techniques. These measurements were complemented by ex situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) examinations of the electrode surface. The presence of these compounds in HG solutions decreased the passive current density (j_pass) and increased E_b. In HG solutions, chronoamperometric measurements showed that the anodic current density first decreased, due to growth of a passive oxide film, then increased with time after a pit incubation time, t_i and finally attained a steady-state value. Value of t_i was shortened and simultaneously the steady-state current was elevated, corresponding to an increase in the rate of pit initiation and growth, with increasing applied anodic potential and HG concentration. The rate of pit nucleation () was found to decrease to an extent depending on the type and concentration of the introduced inhibitor. The inhibitory effect of these compounds decreased in the order:  >  > .     

Investigation of Creep Feed Grinding Parameters and Heat treatment Effects on the Nickel-base Superalloys

The Nickel base Superalloys are the most famous complicated and useable of Superalloys to make hot zone components of the gas turbines. The complicated dimensional tolerances, specially at the root of the blade show importance of grinding processes at the production of blades root. The prediction of the effect of machining parameters on the soundness of component surface strengthening for reaching to a suitable surface finishing and avoiding from crack formation at the work part during machining operation often is not easy and feasible so needs to more industrial investigation.This research is about frame 5 blade designed by GE and made from Superalloy IN738LC has been investigated. The formation of a plastically deformed and heat affected zone during grinding of Superalloy IN738LC with a high depth of cut but slow work speed (creep feed grinding) was investigated. Parameters such as work speed, depth of cut and radial dressing speed have been considered as variables and their effects have been studied. During experimental performed, the voltage and current of motor measured and power and special energy calculated.Some samples heat-treated (of the 1176℃ for 1 hr under neutral argon gas and cooling rate of 15℃/min up to 537℃ and then air cooling) to study grains recrystallization. Other samples have been created from the roots of blades and then coated by Nickel to measure boundary layer micro-hardness. The results show that increasing work speed leads to increasing the use power. Increasing the depth of cut, by increasing material removal rate, and the radial dressing speed, by decreasing power, lead to decreasing special energy. The temperature created by grinding lead to decreasing plastic deformation and boundary layer formation. When the radial dressing speed changes from 1 to 0.6μm/rev and other parameters are kept unchanged the roughness of surface increases and the special energy decreases. Sufficient dressing is very essential in limiting the width of the molten zone to few micrometers. As a result, it was found that local melting at contact spots to be a rather common mechanism during grinding of superalloys, lead to so-called white layers which can easily be observed on metallographic cross sections.