）istortion-Free Data Embedding Scheme for Hig Dynamic Range Images

Distortion-free data embedding is a technique which can assure that not only the secret data is correctly extracted but also the cover media is recovered without any distortion after secret data is extracted completely. Because of these advantages, this technique attracts the attention of many researchers. In this paper, a new distortion-free data embedding scheme for high dynamic range (HDR) images is proposed. By depending on Cartesian product, this scheme can obtain higher embedding capacity while maintaining the exactly identical cover image and stego image when using the tone mapping algorithms. In experimental results, the proposed scheme is superior to Yu et al.'s scheme in regard to the embedding rate-an average embedding rate of 0.1355 bpp compared with Yu et al.'s scheme (0.1270 bpp).     

Upconversion luminescence of Gd2O3:Er3+ and Gd2O3:Er3+/silica nanophosphors fabricated by EDTA combustion method

Gd_2O_3:Er~(3+) nanophosphors were fabricated by the combustion method in presence of Na_2 ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid(EDTA-Na_2) as fuel at not high temperature(≤350℃) within a very short time of 5 min.The added concentration of Er~(3+)ions in Gd_2O_3 matrix was changed from 0.5 mol% to 5.0 mol%.The X-ray diffraction pattern of samples indicates the monoclinic structure of Gd_2O_3:Er3+.The morphology and chemical composition analysis of the Gd_2O_3:Er~(3+) samples are characterized by a field emission scanning electron microscope(FESEM) and a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR).The photoluminescence(PL),photo luminescence excitation(PLE) and upconversion(UC) at room temperature of the prepared materials with different concentrations of Er~(3+) were investigated.The PL of Gd_2O_3:Er~(3+)nanomaterials are shown in visible at 545,594,623,648,688 nm under excitation at 275 nm.The emission bands from transitions of Er~(3+) from ~2P_(3/2) to ~4F_(9/2) are observed,UC luminescent spectra of the Gd_2O_3:Er~(3+)/silica nanocomposites under 976 nm excitation show the bands at 548 and 670 nm.The influence of excitation power at 980 nm for transitions were measured and calculated.The results indicate that the upconversion process of Gd_2O_3:Er~(3+)/silica is two photons absorption mechanism.The low temperature dependence of UC luminescent intensities of the main bands of Gd_2O_3:Er~(3+)was investigated towards development of a nanotemperature sensor in the range of 10-300 K.     

Multi-extremum-modified response basis model for nonlinear response prediction of dynamic turbine blisk

For the nonlinear dynamic analyses of complex mechanical components, it is necessary to apply efficient modeling framework to reduce computational burden. The accurate surrogate model for approximating the nonlinear responses of several failures is a vital issue to provide robust and safe design conditions in complex engineering applications. In this paper, two different Modified multi-extremum Response Surface basis Models (MRSM) are proposed for dynamic nonlinear responses of failure capacities for turbine blisk responses. The proposed MRSM is established using two regression processes including regressed the input variables by linear or exponential basis functions in first calibrating phase and regressed the second-order polynomial basis function using inputs data provided by first stage in second calibrating procedure. A sensitivity analysis using MRSM is proposed to consider the variation of input variables on the nonlinear responses. In the sensitivity analysis procedure, the effects of input variables are evaluated using the calibrating results given from the first regressed process. To evaluate the performance of the proposed MRSM, three multi-extremum failure modes including radial deformation of compressor blisk, maximum strain, and stress of compressor blade and disk are considered. the prediction of MRSM of nonlinear responses for Thermal-fluid–structure system with dynamical nonlinear finite-element analyses is compared with response surface method (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The predicted results of modeling approaches showed that the sensitivity analysis based on MRSM accurately provided the effective degree for input variables. The gas temperature has the highest effects on nonlinear responses of turbine blisk which is followed by angular speed and material density. The MRSM combined with basic exponential function performs better than other models, while the MRSM coupled with linear function is more accurate than ANN and RSM. The proposed MRSM models have illustrated the accurate and efficient framework for approximating dynamic structural analysis of complex components.

     

Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms of Renal Hepcidin Induction and Protection upon Hemoglobin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Hemolysis is known to cause acute kidney injury (AKI). The iron regulatory hormone hepcidin, produced by renal distal tubules, is suggested to exert a renoprotective role during this pathology. We aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of renal hepcidin synthesis and its protection against hemoglobin-induced AKI. In contrast to known hepatic hepcidin induction, incubation of mouse cortical collecting duct (mCCD_cl1) cells with IL-6 or LPS did not induce Hamp1 mRNA expression, whereas iron (FeS) and hemin significantly induced hepcidin synthesis (p < 0.05). Moreover, iron/heme-mediated hepcidin induction in mCCD_cl1 cells was caused by the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, as indicated by increased nuclear Nrf2 translocation and induced expression of Nrf2 downstream targets GCLM (p < 0.001), NQO1 (p < 0.001), and TXNRD1 (p < 0.005), which could be prevented by the known Nrf2 inhibitor trigonelline. Newly created inducible kidney-specific hepcidin KO mice demonstrated a significant reduction in renal Hamp1 mRNA expression. Phenylhydrazine (PHZ)-induced hemolysis caused renal iron loading and oxidative stress in both wildtype (Wt) and KO mice. PHZ treatment in Wt induced inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNFα) but not Hamp1. However, since PHZ treatment also significantly reduced systemic hepcidin levels in both Wt and KO mice (both p < 0.001), a dissection between the roles of systemic and renal hepcidin could not be made. Combined, the results of our study indicate that there are kidney-specific mechanisms in hepcidin regulation, as indicated by the dominant role of iron and not inflammation as an inducer of renal hepcidin, but also emphasize the complex interplay of various iron regulatory mechanisms during AKI on a local and systemic level.     

Recent large-diameter tunnel construction in Singapore using sprayed concrete linnings

Sprayed Concrete Lining (SCL) or the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM) has had limited exposure in Singapore. Previously this has been restricted to excavations of less than 6 metres inside diameter in the boulder clay and decomposed granite. For the North East Line Project (NELP) a section of SCL tunnel was constructed as part of the tunnelling works on Contract 710. This paper describes the design, planning, and construction issues of twin 8.4-metre inside diameter crossover tunnels spaced less than one diameter apart constructed in the Jurong Formation. In addition, the construction of a SCL tunnel in the Old Alluvium, is also described. This tunnel is an advance tunnel for the future Deep Tunnel Sewage Scheme (DTSS) and is being constructed as part of the NELP Contract 705 Works. Details of the Jurong Formation and Old Alluvium are given together with their geotechnical characteristics, which played a major role in the selection of temporary support methods used and the behaviour of the ground during tunnelling. The planning and design issues concentrate on aspects to ensure overall integrity and stability of both SCL projects. The success of various construction techniques utilised to construct the tunnels safely is discussed and a summary of the ground movements is presented.     

A randomized controlled outcome and follow-up study of Mann's time-limited psychotherapy.

Thirty-three patients were assessed for suitability for time-limited psychotherapy (TLP). A battery of outcome measures was composed of Ss self-report measurements and objective judgments by external ("masked") raters. Ss were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which received TLP immediately, or the control group, whose TLP was delayed for 3 months. Ss were evaluated on outcome measures at TLP termination and again at 6 and 12 months after termination. Significant improvement was observed in the experimental group after TLP, but the control Ss did not show any systematic changes after waiting. However, after TLP, the control Ss improved significantly. The gains achieved after therapy were stable in both groups after 6- and 12-month follow-ups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obstetric outcome of pregestational diabetic pregnancies

This retrospective study examined the obstetric and neonatal outcome in 23 pregestational diabetic pregnancies. The incidence of congenital malformations and mortality in infants of diabetic mothers was increased compared to the control population. Late booking for antenatal care and poor glycaemia control are probably the reasons for this high incidence. There was also a significantly higher preterm delivery and Caesarean section rate in the pregnancies complicated by pregestational diabetes. The neonatal morbidity was also higher than the controls in terms of jaundice, hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress syndrome and admissions to neonatal intensive care unit. Only with preconception counselling and tight glycaemia control in the periconception period and throughout pregnancy can we expect a drop in the complication rates in pregestational diabetic pregnancies.     

Invariant subpixel material detection in hyperspectral imagery

We present an algorithm for subpixel material detection in hyperspectral data that is invariant to the illumination and atmospheric conditions. The algorithm does not require atmospheric correction. The target material spectral reflectance is the only required prior information. A target material subspace model is constructed from the reflectance using a physical model and a background subspace model is estimated directly from the image. These two subspace models are used to compute maximum-likelihood estimates (MLEs) for the target material component and the background component at each image pixel. These estimates form the basis of a generalized likelihood ratio test for subpixel material detection. We present experimental results, using Hyperspectral Digital Imagery Collection Experiment (HYDICE) imagery, that demonstrate the utility of the algorithm for subpixel material detection under varying illumination and atmospheric conditions     

The role of the frontal cortex in the mouse in behavioral sensitization to amphetamine

Symptom production in groundnut plants infected with groundnut rosette virus (GRV) depends on the presence of satellite RNA (sat-RNA) in the GRV culture, and sat-RNA variants that induce only mild symptoms are known. One such variant drastically diminished the replication of GRV genomic RNA in infected Nicotiana benthamiana plants. This down-regulating ability did not involve either of the two open reading frames in the sat-RNA but was controlled by a region near its 5' end, which is required for sat-RNA replication. When N. benthamiana plants were inoculated with GRV and the mild satellite and challenged by inoculation with a GRV isolate (YB) containing a sat-RNA that induces yellow blotch symptoms, no symptoms appeared and little GRV genomic RNA or sat-RNA was detected in the plants, provided the two inoculations were no more than 2 days apart. A GRV isolate containing a sat-RNA that neither induces symptoms in N. benthamiana nor affects genomic RNA accumulation also provided protection against yellow blotch symptom production if inoculated before or up to 2 days after isolate YB. However, in this case protection ws incomplete and both GRV RNA and sat-RNA accumulated to normal levels. It is suggested that sequences from the mild sat-RNA may provide a novel source of resistance against rosette disease.