Alpha Fusion Adversarial Attack Analysis Using Deep Learning

The deep learning model encompasses a powerful learning ability that integrates the feature extraction, and classification method to improve accuracy. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) perform well in machine learning and image processing tasks like segmentation, classification, detection, identification, etc. The CNN models are still sensitive to noise and attack. The smallest change in training images as in an adversarial attack can greatly decrease the accuracy of the CNN model. This paper presents an alpha fusion attack analysis and generates defense against adversarial attacks. The proposed work is divided into three phases: firstly, an MLSTM-based CNN classification model is developed for classifying COVID-CT images. Secondly, an alpha fusion attack is generated to fool the classification model. The alpha fusion attack is tested in the last phase on a modified LSTM-based CNN (CNN-MLSTM) model and other pre-trained models. The results of CNN models show that the accuracy of these models dropped greatly after the alpha-fusion attack. The highest F1 score before the attack was achieved is 97.45 And after the attack lowest F1 score recorded is 22%. Results elucidate the performance in terms of accuracy, precision, F1 score and Recall.     

Design of backpropagated neurocomputing paradigm for Stuxnet virus dynamics in control infrastructure

Neural Computing and Applications - In the present study, a novel application of backpropagated neurocomputing heuristics (BNCH) is presented for epidemic virus model that portrays the Stuxnet...     

Low‐temperature synthesis of hierarchical structures of copper oxide and their superior biological activity

In this work, the authors report a facile low‐temperature wet‐chemical route to prepare morphology‐tailored hierarchical structures (HS) of copper oxide. The preparation of copper oxide collides was carried out using varying concentrations of copper acetate and a reducing agent at a constant temperature of 50°C. The prepared HS of CuO were characterised by powdered X‐rays diffraction that indicates phase pure having monoclinic structures. The morphology was further confirmed by field‐emission scanning electron microscope. It reveals a difference in shape and size of copper oxide HS by changing the concentration of reactants. In order to evaluate the effect of H₂ O₂ on CuO NPs, the prepared CuO are modified by treatment with H₂ O₂. In general trend, CuOH₂ O₂ collide showed enhanced protein kinase inhibition, antibacterial (maximum zone 16.34 mm against Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal activities in comparison to unmodified CuO collides. These results reveal that CuO HS exhibit antimicrobial properties and can be used as a potential candidate in pharmaceutical industries.Inspec keywords: molecular biophysics, antibacterial activity, X‐ray diffraction, microorganisms, copper compounds, nanofabrication, nanoparticles, narrow band gap semiconductors, field emission scanning electron microscopy, enzymes, nanomedicine, particle size, semiconductor growthOther keywords: unmodified CuO collides, low‐temperature synthesis, morphology‐tailored hierarchical structures, copper acetate, reducing agent, monoclinic structures, copper oxide HS, CuO NPs, Staphylococcus aureus, biological activity, copper oxide, powdered X‐ray diffraction, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, facile low‐temperature wet‐chemical method, protein kinase inhibition, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, antimicrobial properties, pharmaceutical industries, temperature 50.0 degC, CuO     

Cerebral Folate Metabolism in Post-Mortem Alzheimer’s Disease Tissues: A Small Cohort Study

We investigated the cerebral folate system in post-mortem brains and matched cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from subjects with definite Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (n = 21) and neuropathologically normal brains (n = 21) using immunohistochemistry, Western blot and dot blot. In AD the CSF showed a significant decrease in 10-formyl tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (FDH), a critical folate binding protein and enzyme in the CSF, as well as in the main folate transporter, folate receptor alpha (FRα) and folate. In tissue, we found a switch in the pathway of folate supply to the cerebral cortex in AD compared to neurologically normal brains. FRα switched from entry through FDH-positive astrocytes in normal, to entry through glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes in the AD cortex. Moreover, this switch correlated with an apparent change in metabolic direction to hypermethylation of neurons in AD. Our data suggest that the reduction in FDH in CSF prohibits FRα-folate entry via FDH-positive astrocytes and promotes entry through the GFAP pathway directly to neurons for hypermethylation. This data may explain some of the cognitive decline not attributable to the loss of neurons alone and presents a target for potential treatment.     

Deep 3D X-ray Lithography Based on High-Contrast Resist Layers

Technical Physics Letters - In classical X-ray lithography, the mask and resist layer are arranged perpendicular to the incident X-ray beam. Being absorbed in the resist layer, the X-ray beam...     

Synthesis of novel acrylic modified water reducible alkyd resin: Investigation of acrylic copolymer ratio effect on film properties and thermal behaviors

New four‐component water reducible acrylic modified alkyd resins that are based on 1,3‐propanediol and contain different ratios of acrylic copolymer (AC) were synthesized by using a novel four‐stage fatty acid method. The final content of solids in the water reducible acrylic modified alkyd resins was 60% by weight. After the modified alkyd resin films were cured at 150°C for 1 h, it was observed that the use of AC as the modifier component had improved their physical and chemical surface coating properties and thermal behaviors. Experimental results show that the optimum AC ratio is 40% of the equivalent amount of AC to alkyd resin. Low‐volatile organic compounds (VOC) content water reducible acrylic modified alkyd resins yielded soft and flexible films with high chemical/thermal resistance, suitable for manufacturing of surface coating binders. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:947–954, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Use of the task configuration system (TCS) for the design and on-line optimization of power plants operating with variable loads

The main purpose of this work is to show the ability of the TCS (task configuration system) to perform both the design and the operation optimization of power plants. The TCS is a module that permits to set the main task of each one of the equipments of the system and consequently setting how they respond to variable loads. In this work, the TCS was applied to a micro cogeneration plant of 60 kW in which both the electrical and the thermal loads were variable. Primarily, the design optimization of the nominal power of the equipments and of the TCS configuration was performed for the loads and electricity/fuel costs assumed in the design. After this operational optimizations in cases where the loads and electricity/fuel costs were doubled and then halved in relation to the standard case were performed. The results presented the TCS in a very robust way in most of the cases even the operational conditions being very different from the originally assumed. Based on the results, it is possible to defend the use of the TCS to decrease the risk of high initial investments made in cogeneration systems.     

Characterization of erosion of gas pipelines by dry sand

In oil and gas industry, the economic considerations determine the selection of low cost materials, in general, carbon steel, for pipelines. However, another type of deformation that is not well understood is its erosion resistance. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the erosion of carbon steel in a dry sand stream. In this work, a laboratory built test rig was used to erode representative carbon steel plates with accelerated sand streams. The results revealed that the normal incidence sand stream of larger particles and higher impact velocities causes more erosion of the carbon steel. The highest erosion rate of 6.75 ± 0.16 was predicted at an impact angle of 90°, which was three times higher than the erosion rate at impact angle of 30°. Similarly, the erosion caused by the smaller particles was not as severe as the larger particles. The cross-section profiles revealed that the crater depth was increased from 7° to 32.8° with an increase in sand size from 200 µm to 600 µm. The deepest crater of 32.8° was induced by the largest sand size of 600 µm.     

Validation of the performance of a GMO multiplex screening assay based on microarray detection

A new screening method for the detection and identification of GMO, based on the use of multiplex PCR followed by microarray, has been developed and is presented. The technology is based on the identification of quite ubiquitous GMO genetic target elements first amplified by PCR, followed by direct hybridisation of the amplicons on a predefined microarray (DualChip^® GMO, Eppendorf, Germany). The validation was performed within the framework of a European project (Co-Extra, contract no 007158) and in collaboration with 12 laboratories specialised in GMO detection. The present study reports the strategy and the results of an ISO complying validation of the method carried out through an inter-laboratory study. Sets of blind samples were provided consisting of DNA reference materials covering all the elements detectable by specific probes present on the array. The GMO concentrations varied from 1% down to 0.045%. In addition, a mixture of two GMO events (0.1% RRS diluted in 100% TOPAS19/2) was incorporated in the study to test the robustness of the assay in extreme conditions. Data were processed according to ISO 5725 standard. The method was evaluated with predefined performance criteria with respect to the EC CRL method acceptance criteria. The overall method performance met the acceptance criteria; in particular, the results showed that the method is suitable for the detection of the different target elements at 0.1% concentration of GMO with a 95% accuracy rate. This collaborative trial showed that the method can be considered as fit for the purpose of screening with respect to its intra- and inter-laboratory accuracy. The results demonstrated the validity of combining multiplex PCR with array detection as provided by the DualChip^® GMO (Eppendorf, Germany) for the screening of GMO. The results showed that the technology is robust, practical and suitable as a screening tool.