Improved Watermarking Scheme Using Decimal Sequences

This paper presents watermarking algorithms using d-sequences so that the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) is maximized and the distortion introduced in the image due to the embedding is minimized. By exploiting the cross correlation property of decimal sequences, the concept of embedding more than one watermark in the same cover image is investigated.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure

Electronic and magnetic excitations in the "half-stuffed" Cu--O planes of Ba2_2Cu3_3O4_4Cl2_2 measured by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering

We use resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) at the Cu L$_3$ edge to measure the charge and spin excitations in the "half-stuffed" Cu--O planes of the cuprate antiferromagnet Ba$_2$Cu$_3$O$_4$Cl$_2$. The RIXS line shape reveals distinct contributions to the $dd$ excitations from the two structurally inequivalent Cu sites, which have different out-of-plane coordinations. The low-energy response exhibits magnetic excitations. We find a spin-wave branch whose dispersion follows the symmetry of a CuO$_2$ sublattice, similar to the case of the "fully-stuffed" planes of tetragonal CuO (T-CuO). Its bandwidth is closer to that of a typical cuprate material, such as Sr$_2$CuO$_2$Cl$_2$, than it is to that of T-CuO. We interpret this result as arising from the absence of the effective four-spin inter-sublattice interactions that act to reduce the bandwidth in T-CuO.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Spin-Orbit-Induced Orbital Excitations in Sr2RuO4 and Ca2RuO4: A Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering Study

High-resolution resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) at the oxygen K-edge has been used to study the orbital excitations of Ca2RuO4 and Sr2RuO4. In combination with linear dichroism X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the ruthenium 4d-orbital occupation and excitations were probed through their hybridization with the oxygen p-orbitals. These results are described within a minimal model, taking into account crystal field splitting and a spin-orbit coupling \lambda_{so}=200~meV. The effects of spin-orbit interaction on the electronic structure and implications for the Mott and superconducting ground states of (Ca,Sr)2RuO4 are discussed.Comment: accepted in PRB 201

Tilting the balance between RNA interference and replication eradicates Leishmania RNA virus 1 and mitigates the inflammatory response.

Many Leishmania (Viannia) parasites harbor the double-stranded RNA virus Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1), which has been associated with increased disease severity in animal models and humans and with drug treatment failures in humans. Remarkably, LRV1 survives in the presence of an active RNAi pathway, which in many organisms controls RNA viruses. We found significant levels (0.4 to 2.5%) of small RNAs derived from LRV1 in both Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania guyanensis, mapping across both strands and with properties consistent with Dicer-mediated cleavage of the dsRNA genome. LRV1 lacks cis- or trans-acting RNAi inhibitory activities, suggesting that virus retention must be maintained by a balance between RNAi activity and LRV1 replication. To tilt this balance toward elimination, we targeted LRV1 using long-hairpin/stem-loop constructs similar to those effective against chromosomal genes. LRV1 was completely eliminated, at high efficiency, accompanied by a massive overproduction of LRV1-specific siRNAs, representing as much as 87% of the total. For both L. braziliensis and L. guyanensis, RNAi-derived LRV1-negative lines were no longer able to induce a Toll-like receptor 3-dependent hyperinflammatory cytokine response in infected macrophages. We demonstrate in vitro a role for LRV1 in virulence of L. braziliensis, the Leishmania species responsible for the vast majority of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis cases. These findings establish a targeted method for elimination of LRV1, and potentially of other Leishmania viruses, which will facilitate mechanistic dissection of the role of LRV1-mediated virulence. Moreover, our data establish a third paradigm for RNAi-viral relationships in evolution: one of balance rather than elimination

Osteometric study of human femur

Skeleton is playing important role in various like Medicine, Forensic sciences, Anthropology etc. Estimation of sex, age, race, stature by skeleton and the presence of disease is discovered by Krogman and Iscan (1986). Sex is determined after death by skeletal remains of that individual by some forensic anthropologists with the help of pelvis, skull and long bones. The study was undertaken in 50 femurs for measuring epicondylar breadth, Neck shaft angle, transverse and vertical diameter of head. The results were the average meanepicondylar breadth was 75.6 ± 6.06mm, mean right epicondylar breadth was 73.96 ± 4.99mm and left it was 76.35 ± 7.0mm. The average mean neck shaft angle was 125.3 ± 6.50mm, mean right neck shaft angle was 124.44 ± 5.7mm and left it was 126.3 ± 7.33mm. The average mean transverse diameter of head was 37.86 ± 3.06mm, mean right transverse diameter of head was 37.74 ± 3.05mm and left it was 38.00 ± 3.13mm. The average mean vertical diameter of head was 42.24 ± 3.53mm, mean right vertical diameter of head was 41.63 ± 3.09mm and left it was 42.96 ± 3.92mm, Neck shaft angle ranges from a minimum of 106° to maximum 135° with a mean value of 125.3°. The knowledge of osteometric values is helpful to anthropological and forensic practice

Damped spin excitations in a doped cuprate superconductor with orbital hybridization

A resonant inelastic x-ray scattering study of overdamped spin excitations in slightly underdoped La2−x Srx CuO4 (LSCO) with x = 0.12 and 0.145 is presented. Three high-symmetry directions have been investigated: (1) the antinodal (0,0) → ( 1 ,0), (2) the nodal (0,0) → ( 1 , 1 ), and (3) the zone-boundary direction 2 4 4 ( 1 1 1 2 ,0) → ( 4 ,4 ) connecting these two. The overdamped excitations exhibit strong dispersions along (1) and (3), whereas a much more modest dispersion is found along (2). This is in strong contrast to the undoped compound La2CuO4 (LCO) for which the strongest dispersions are found along (1) and (2). The t − t i − t ii − U Hubbard model used to explain the excitation spectrum of LCO predicts—for constant U/t —that the dispersion along (3) scales with (t i/t )2. However, the diagonal hopping t i extracted on LSCO using single-band models is low (t i/t ∼ −0.16) and decreasing with doping. We therefore invoked a two-orbital (dx2 −y2 and dz2 ) model which implies that t i is enhanced. This effect acts to enhance the zone-boundary dispersion within the Hubbard model. We thus conclude that hybridization of dx2 −y2 and dz2 states has a significant impact on the zone-boundary dispersion in LSCO

International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force consensus proposal: Medical treatment of canine epilepsy in Europe

In Europe, the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) licensed for dogs has grown considerably over the last years. Nevertheless, the same questions remain, which include, 1) when to start treatment, 2) which drug is best used initially, 3) which adjunctive AED can be advised if treatment with the initial drug is unsatisfactory, and 4) when treatment changes should be considered. In this consensus proposal, an overview is given on the aim of AED treatment, when to start long-term treatment in canine epilepsy and which veterinary AEDs are currently in use for dogs. The consensus proposal for drug treatment protocols, 1) is based on current published evidence-based literature, 2) considers the current legal framework of the cascade regulation for the prescription of veterinary drugs in Europe, and 3) reflects the authors’ experience. With this paper it is aimed to provide a consensus for the management of canine idiopathic epilepsy. Furthermore, for the management of structural epilepsy AEDs are inevitable in addition to treating the underlying cause, if possible

Development of Capecitabine Floating Tablet Dosage Forms for Treating Stomach Cancer

Objective: In the present research work, oral gastro retentive dosage forms (GRDFs) of capecitabine (CPC) were formulated using floating concept. Methods: GRDFs were formulated using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4M and K15M) as drug release retardant, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as gas generating agents, and micro crystalline cellulose (MCC), dicalcium phosphate (DCP), spray dried lactose (SDL), and pre gelatinized starch (PGS) as fillers. The tablets were prepared by direct compression method and evaluated for various parameters. The GRDFs were also characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results and Discussion: All the formulations were subjected for pre and post compression parameters, shows all the data within the limits. The lag times of GRDFs has decreased significantly for formulations containing calcium carbonate when compared to sodium bicarbonate as gas generating agent. In vitro drug release studies indicate that higher polymer concentration delayed the CPC release, and the sustaining effect was in the order K4M > K15M > LVCR 100. Addition of MCC, DCP, SDL, and PGS as fillers further affected the lag time and in turn the CPC release rates. Conclusion: The formulation (F9) containing 10%w/w HPMC K4M as the release retardant, microcrystalline cellulose as filler and 20%w/w CaCO3 as gas generating agent fulfilled regulatory requirements in terms of percent drug release at the end of 24h. Keywords: Capecitabine, Gastro retentive floating tablets, floating drug delivery systems, FTIR, DSC

A study on fracture of femur shaft treatment with intramedullary interlocking nailing

Background: Rigid interlocking nailing for femoral shaft fracture is ideal for use in adolescents in terms of stability of the fracture and convenience for the patient. Closed reduction and intramedullary interlocking nailing is the surgical treatment of choice for the closed shaft fractures of femur. Present study conducted to study the principles of intramedullary interlocking nailing and to assess the outcome of the patient.Methods: The present study comprises of 28 cases of fracture shaft of the femur admitted in orthopaedics wards of JJM Medical College, Davangere. Total 28 cases considered for closed intramedullary nailing.Results: In 55% cases closed intramedullary nailing given excellent healing of fracture, in 25% cases healing was good, in 10% cases it was average and 5% cases poor healing was observed.Conclusions: It is concluded that closed intramedullary interlocking nailing method given good result in treatment of shaft fractures of femur