A new semi-blind watermarking algorithm using ordered Hadamard transform

An efficient and fast watermarking algorithm based on ordered Hadamard transform (HT) is proposed. Since it uses a few information of watermark image in secret key, it is categorised as a semi-blind method. In our algorithm, both host and watermark images are decomposed into non-overlapping blocks. Next, they are mapped into transform domain as Hadamard coefficients. Then, several high frequency AC components of host image are substituted with watermark coefficients without using any strength factor. Not employing this factor guarantees the embedded image to be retrieved with primary quality. Moreover, using HT offers several advantages of fastness, higher image fidelity, greater reliability of watermark detection and higher data hiding capacity. The experimental results show that our method keeps the quality of host image and is robust to common attacks. Compared to frequency domain and hybrid methods, it has advantages of shorter processing time, acceptable robustness and ease of hardware implementation.     

Behavior of confined fluids in nanoslit pores: the normal pressure tensor

The aim of our research is to develop a theory, which can predict the behavior of confined fluids in nanoslit pores. The nanoslit pores studied in this work consist of two structureless and parallel walls in the xy plane located at z = 0 and z = H, in equilibrium with a bulk homogeneous fluid at the same temperature and at a given uniform bulk density. We have derived the following general equation for prediction of the normal pressure tensor P _zz of confined inhomogeneous fluids in nanoslit pores:

Generalized Flory–Huggins model for heat‐of‐mixing and phase‐behavior calculations of polymer–polymer mixtures

An extended and generalized Flory–Huggins model for calculating the heats of mixing and predicting the phase stability and spinodal diagrams of binary polymer–polymer mixtures is presented. In this model, the interaction parameter is considered to be a function of both temperature and composition. It is qualitatively shown that the proposed model can calculate the heats‐of‐mixing curves containing exothermic, endothermic, and S‐shaped or sigmoidal types and predict the spinodals, including the upper and lower critical solution temperatures, and closed‐loop miscibility regions. Using experimental results of analog calorimetry for four polymer mixtures of polystyrene/poly(vinyl chloride) (PS/PVC), polycarbonate (PC)/poly(ethylene adipate) (PEA), polystyrene/poly(vinyl acetate) (PS/PVAc), and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA Co)/chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), the capabilities of the proposed functionality for the interaction parameter was studied. It is shown that this function can be used satisfactorily for the heat‐of‐mixing calculations and phase‐behavior predictions. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 1328–1340, 2000     

Evaluation of excitation function by TALYS code for producing ^109Cd with different ion beams

ion of millicurries of the radioisotope with incident beam energy less 15 MeV using low energy accelerator.     

Preparation and evaluation of novel nano-bioglass/gelatin conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration

Peripheral nerves are exposed to physical injuries usually caused by trauma that may lead to a significant loss of sensory or motor functions and is considered as a serious health problem for societies today. This study was designed to develop a novel nano bioglass/gelatin conduit (BGGC) for the peripheral nerve regeneration. The bioglass nanoparticles were prepared by sol–gel technique and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The interfacial bonding interaction between the nano-bioglass and gelatin in the developed conduits was assessed by FTIR. The surface morphology and pore size of the nanocomposite were investigated through scanning electron microscopy with the pore size of the conduits being 10–40 μm. Biocompatibility was assessed by MTT assay which indicated the BGGC to have good cytocompatibility. The guidance channel was examined and used to regenerate a 10 mm gap in the right sciatic nerve of a male Wistar rat. Twenty rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups, one with the BGGC and the other being normal rats. The gastrocnemius muscle contractility was also examined at one, two and three months post-surgery in all groups using electromyography (EMAP). Histological and functional evaluation and the results obtained from electromyography indicated that at three months, nerve regeneration of the BGGC group was statistically equivalent to the normal group (p > 0.05). Our result suggests that the BGGC can be a suitable candidate for peripheral nerve repair.     

Na2S-mediated thionation: an efficient access to secondary and tertiary α-ketothioamides via Willgerodt–Kindler reaction of readily available arylglyoxals with amines

The task of this paper is to provide an efficient process for synthesis of secondary and tertiary α-ketothioamides via Willgerodt–Kindler reaction of readily available arylglyoxals with amines using Na₂S as an effective catalyst. A plausible role for Na₂S in the reaction of arylglyoxals with primary amines is proposed.     

Micromorphology and Optical Bandgap Characterization of Copper Oxide Nanowires

Due to the industrial applications of nasno materials, the growth of Copper oxide (CuO) nanowires (NWs) at the same and opposite directions of the electric and gravitational fields was investigated to study the effects of fields on the NWs properties. The experiments were designed to grow NWs using thermal oxidation method at 450 ^°C for 50 h. NWs growth was evaluated to study two distinct cases; first, substrates exposed to the gravitational field and second those treated with electric field (EF) in-lined with gravitation field (GF). It was observed that the electric field developed a diameter homogeneity while compressing the NWs and decreasing the diameters. Furthermore, the GF influenced only the length of the NWs, while the EF had an impact on both length and diameter of the NWs. The direction of fields played an important role in NWs morphology and intensity of XRD pattern and optical properties. It was also observed that field direction greatly influenced the NWs length and diameter.     

Cumin seed meal as an alternative to wheat bran in commercial laying hen diets

To evaluate the nutritional significance of cumin seed meal (CSM) as a commercial poultry feedstuff on laying hen performance and quality of laid eggs, an experiment was conducted using 144 (48‐week‐old) laying hens receiving diets containing 0, 25 and 50 g CSM kg^?1 with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) and xylanase enzyme (Grindazym^? GP 15000) for 9 weeks. Body weight on the first and last days of the experiment and daily egg production and egg weight and weekly feed intake during the first, fifth and ninth weeks of the experiment were recorded. Shell weight, shell thickness, Haugh unit and yolk colour were measured during the last week of the experiment. The results showed that inclusion of CSM in laying hen diets had no negative influence on the parameters measured compared with the control diet (P > 0.05), but enhanced egg yolk colour (P < 0.05). PEG increased the daily feed intake of birds receiving CSM diets (P < 0.01) and tended to enhance daily egg production and egg weight, although not significantly. Grindazym decreased shell weight and thickness of laid eggs (P < 0.05) and tended to increase hen body weight, but had no influence on other parameters measured. The results demonstrated that CSM can be substituted for wheat bran in layer diets at 25 or 50 g kg^?1 dietary inclusion level without any adverse effect on hen performance or egg quality, and might enhance egg yolk colour. In view of the low price of CSM, it could be concluded that inclusion of CSM in the diet might be beneficial to the commercial laying hen industry and reduce the overall cost of egg production. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation of Zinc(II) Oxide Nanoparticles from a New Nano-Size Coordination Polymer Constructed from a Polypyridyl Amidic Ligand; Spectroscopic, Photoluminescence and Thermal Analysis Studies

A new zinc(II) coordination polymer, {[Zn(bpcdp)₂(DMF)₄](ClO₄)₂·(H₂O)₂}_n (1) bpcdp = 2,6-bis(4-pyridinecarboxamide)pyridine has been synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹HNMR and ¹³CNMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray data of compound 1 shows the zinc(II) atom has been considered as octahedral with ZnN₂O₄ coordination sphere. Two nitrogen atoms of bpcdp ligand and four oxygen atoms of DMF molecules have occupied coordination sphere around zinc(II) atoms. The prepared zinc(II) coordination polymer grows in three-dimensional network by hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interaction. The nanostructure of compound 1 were obtained by sonochemical process and studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), IR and NMR spectroscopy. Thermal stabilities of single crystalline and nano-size samples of compound 1 were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The ZnO nanoparticles were obtained by direct calcination of compound 1 at 400 °C and by thermolysis in oleic acid at 200 °C. The obtained zinc(II) oxide nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).