A color image watermarking framework for copyright protection of stereo images based on binocular just noticeable difference and LU decomposition

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The copyright protection of three-dimensional (3D) content is a matter of interest in artistic and creative works due to the rights of the holder for the...     

Morphology, optical, and photoelectrochemical properties of electrodeposited nanocrystalline ZnO films sensitized with Cd x Zn1−x S nanoparticles

Nanocrystalline ITO/ZnO films formed by porous zinc oxide microplatelets 1–3 μm in size and 100–200 nm in thickness, which consist of 30–50 nm ZnO crystallites, were sensitized to visible light by Cd _x Zn_1?x S nanocrystals deposited using the method of successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR). The composition of Cd _x Zn_1?x S nanocrystals as well as the dependence between molar Cd(II) fraction in the films and the ratio of cadmium and zinc nitrate concentrations in solutions used for the SILAR procedure were determined by a combination of electron, Raman, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopies. The photovoltage observed at illumination of the ITO/ZnO/Cd _x Zn_1?x S heterostructures by white light (λ >400 nm) in aqueous Na₂S solution increases with a decrease of Cd(II) content proportionally to an increment in the conduction band potential of the Cd _x Zn_1?x S nanocrystals. The photocurrent density normalized to the light absorbance of the ITO/ZnO/Cd _x Zn_1?x S films increases by a factor of around four when the conduction band potential of Cd _x Zn_1?x S nanocrystals grows by 220 mV as a result of Cd(II) fraction changing from 1.0 to 0.62–0.67. The results show that Cd _x Zn_1?x S solid solutions are more advantageous sensitizers for the short-wavelength part of the sensitivity window of the liquid-junction solar cells (400–450 nm) than conventionally used cadmium sulfide.     

Removing the outliers in root-MUSIC via pseudo-noise resampling and conventional beamformer

A joint use of pseudo-noise resampling technique and a conventional beamformer is proposed to mitigate the effect of outliers in Root-MUSIC estimator. After resampling of Root-MUSIC via pseudo-randomly generated noise we combine it with a conventional beamformer (in the sense that identification of the signal roots is based on the power of the conventional beamformer response). The resulting estimator can be referred to as modified resampled Root-MUSIC. The estimator bank is formed from a number of modified resampled Root-MUSIC. Censored selection of the results of modified pseudo-randomly resampled Root-MUSIC estimators is exploited based on an appropriate local performance test.     

Chloride and Indium‐Chloride‐Complex Inorganic Ligands for Efficient Stabilization of Nanocrystals in Solution and Doping of Nanocrystal Solids

Here, the surface functionalization of CdSe and CdSe/CdS core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) with compact chloride and indium‐chloride‐complex ligands is reported. The ligands provide not only short interparticle distances but additionally control doping and passivation of surface trap states, leading to enhanced electronic coupling in NC‐based arrays. The solids based on these NCs show an excellent electronic transport behavior after heat treatment at the relatively low temperature of 190 °C. Indeed, the indium‐chlorido‐capped 4.5 nm CdSe NC based thin‐film field‐effect transistor reaches a saturation mobility of μ = 4.1 cm² (V s)^?1 accompanied by a low hysteresis, while retaining the typical features of strongly quantum confined semiconductor NCs. The capping with chloride ions preserves the high photoluminescence quantum yield ( ≈ 66%) of CdSe/CdS core/shell NCs even when the CdS shell is relatively thin (six monolayers). The simplicity of the chemical incorporation of chlorine and indium species via solution ligand exchange, the efficient electronic passivation of the NC surface, as well as their high stability as dispersions make these materials especially attractive for wide‐area solution‐processable fabrication of NC‐based devices.     

A novel copolymer of N-[(tert-butylperoxy)methyl]acrylamide and maleic anhydride for use as a reactive surfactant in emulsion polymerization

A new copolymer of N-[(tert-butylperoxy)methyl]acrylamide (tBPMAAm), containing a primary–tertiary peroxide group and maleic anhydride (MA), was synthesized and employed as a reactive surfactant (inisurf) for the emulsion polymerization of styrene to yield surface-functionalized (peroxidized) reactive latex particles. The copolymerization characteristics were analyzed to determine the monomer reactivity ratios and to provide a way to control the copolymer composition. The ability of tBPMAAm–MA to act as a reactive surfactant during emulsion polymerization was confirmed by the synthesis of monodisperse polystyrene latexes of varying particle size. In addition, peroxide groups were localized on the surface of the particles in a controllable amount (depending on the copolymer concentration), thus, providing the opportunity for further modification of the surface of the particles. This novel copolymer is expected to be a promising and efficient material in the synthesis of functional polymer nanoparticles with well-defined core–shell morphologies.     

Glibenclamide for the Treatment of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke

Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are associated with severe functional disability and high mortality. Except for recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, therapies targeting the underlying pathophysiology of central nervous system (CNS) ischemia and hemorrhage are strikingly lacking. Sur1-regulated channels play essential roles in necrotic cell death and cerebral edema following ischemic insults, and in neuroinflammation after hemorrhagic injuries. Inhibiting endothelial, neuronal, astrocytic and oligodendroglial sulfonylurea receptor 1–transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (Sur1–Trpm4) channels and, in some cases, microglial K_ATP (Sur1–Kir6.2) channels, with glibenclamide is protective in a variety of contexts. Robust preclinical studies have shown that glibenclamide and other sulfonylurea agents reduce infarct volumes, edema and hemorrhagic conversion, and improve outcomes in rodent models of ischemic stroke. Retrospective studies suggest that diabetic patients on sulfonylurea drugs at stroke presentation fare better if they continue on drug. Additional laboratory investigations have implicated Sur1 in the pathophysiology of hemorrhagic CNS insults. In clinically relevant models of subarachnoid hemorrhage, glibenclamide reduces adverse neuroinflammatory and behavioral outcomes. Here, we provide an overview of the preclinical studies of glibenclamide therapy for CNS ischemia and hemorrhage, discuss the available data from clinical investigations, and conclude with promising preclinical results that suggest glibenclamide may be an effective therapeutic option for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.     

不同气氛对激光熔覆IN718涂层形貌、组织与性能的影响

目的研究不同气氛条件下激光熔覆IN718高温合金涂层的微观偏析。方法利用激光熔覆技术,在不同送粉气和不同保护气条件下制备了IN718高温合金涂层,并对制备的涂层进行双时效热处理。采用光学显微镜观察显微组织结构和特征,采用扫描电镜和能谱仪对涂层组织和相成分进行分析,采用维氏硬度计对涂层热处理前后的硬度进行测定。结果送粉气种类对熔覆层的形貌和组织有一定影响,而保护气种类对熔覆层的形貌和组织影响不明显。与氩气作为送粉气制备的涂层相比,氦气作为送粉气制备的涂层组织更加细密,Laves相的尺寸更小且分布更均匀,Laves相的体积分数由氩气送粉的9.35%减少到氦气送粉的5.25%,并且Laves相中Nb的质量分数由20%下降到16%,涂层硬度由287HV0.2提高到306HV0.2。双时效热处理后,涂层的显微硬度明显提高,氦气作为送粉气制备的涂层硬度为468HV0.2,高于氩气作为送粉气制备的涂层硬度447HV0.2。结论氦气作为送粉气能有效降低激光熔覆IN718涂层的Nb元素偏析,同时细化涂层组织,提高涂层显微硬度。氦气作为保护气对涂层形貌和组织的影响不明显。     

Stem Cell Therapy Enhances Motor Activity of Triceps Surae Muscle in Mice with Hereditary Peripheral Neuropathy

Impaired motor and sensory functions are the main features of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) therapy is one of the possible treatments for this disease. It was assumed that MSCs therapy can improve the contractile properties of the triceps surae (TS) muscles in mice with hereditary peripheral neuropathy. Murine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) were obtained for transplantation into TS muscles of FVB-C-Tg(GFPU)5Nagy/J mice. Three months after AD-MSCs transplantation, animals were subjected to electrophysiological investigations. Parameters of TS muscle tension after intermittent high frequency electrical sciatic nerve stimulations were analyzed. It was found that force of TS muscle tension contraction in animals after AD-MSCs treatment was two-time higher than in untreated mice. Normalized values of force muscle contraction in different phases of electrical stimulation were 0.3 ± 0.01 vs. 0.18 ± 0.01 and 0.26 ± 0.03 vs. 0.13 ± 0.03 for treated and untreated animals, respectively. It is assumed that the two-fold increase in TS muscle strength was caused by stem cell therapy. Apparently, AD-MSCs therapy can promote nerve regeneration and partial restoration of muscle function, and thus can be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies.