110023 research outputs found
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Integrating Coordinate Transformation and Random Sampling Into High-Capacity Reversible Data Hiding in Encrypted Polygonal Models
No full text[[abstract]]Reversible data hiding in encrypted media involves using algorithms to perform data encryption to improve the privacy of the original media and hide data for covert communication or access control. This study explores the feasibility of applying coordinate transformation and random sampling to enhance the embedding rate and total embedding capacity of separable reversible data hiding in encrypted polygonal models based on multiple most significant bit (multi-MSB) prediction and Huffman coding. We first transform each vertex coordinate value of the input model into a decimal value between 0 and 1 and then convert the value into numerous binary digits with a user-defined compression threshold. Thereafter, the random sampling concept is used to generate embeddable vertices with only partial neighboring vertices as a reference. Thus, the embedding rate and total embedding capacity can both be increased considerably. The multi-MSB prediction technique is adopted to obtain the embedding capacity of each embeddable vertex, each vertex coordinate value in the proposed study can have a respective embedding length. Finally, the auxiliary information compressed through Huffman coding and an encrypted secret message are embedded in the multi-MSB of each embeddable vertex coordinate value through bit substitution. The experimental results of this study indicate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm
The System Adoption Evaluation of RFID Safety Management System on Campus
No full text[[abstract]]In this article, we propose a campus safety management system based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. In this work, the evaluation based on the system adoption was used to establish a campus-safety management system model and related implementation issues. With the implementation of the RFID system for campus safety management, the system could save the administrators' time and improve the efficiency of service quality. In addition, it helps to prevent the occurrence of security incidents on campus. The critical success factors of the system include the participation of students and parents. Finally, the evaluation on the system adoption is made by questioners. The results show the first three factors affecting the administrators in the school to decide whether the system is used the convenience of use, agreement of students' parents, and the relative advantage. However, school competition and school reorganization could not be the preferred factors to adopt the system
An assessment of agricultural waste cellulosic biofuel for improved combustion and emission characteristics
No full text[[abstract]]The need for an alternative fuel has been growing swiftly owing to the extravagant use of fossil fuels as a sole energy source for all purposes. This paper investigates the performance, emission and noise characteristics of cellulosic biofuel. A series of tests were conducted in a single cylinder, four stroke DI engine to determine the performance measuring factors such as brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake power (BP), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and emission factors such as CO emission, NO emission, CO2 emission and smoke and then, the HC emission rates were also measured. All tests were carried out at different load conditions of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% with the constant speed of 1500 rpm. The fuel blends taken for the tests were diesel, E5, E10, E15 and E20. The E20 comparatively showed lower performance than all other fuel blends. However, when considering CO and smoke emission, the E20 fuel blends produced better reduced emission. The lower-level ethanol diesel blend showed better BT as well as BTE and BSFC. From the above findings, it is clear and evident that cellulosic biodiesel blends can be an optimal solution to meet the ongoing energy demands
Spectral and structure characterization of Ferula assafoetida fabricated silver nanoparticles and evaluation of its cytotoxic, and photocatalytic competence
No full text[[abstract]]This study aims to develop an eco-friendly method for rapidly synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Asafoetida ethanol extracts and to validate AgNPs synthesis using UV-vis spectroscopy (absorption spectrum), FTIR (functional groups), XRD (crystallinity), FE-SEM (size of the particles) and SEM-EDAX (Purity). Furthermore, to evaluate the anti-proliferative effect of Ag NPs against grown cultured L6 cell lines, studies have shown that AgNPs biosynthesis inhibits cancer cell growth compared to control cell lines. UV-vis absorption verified the existence of Ag NPs, and the spectrum was observed at 480 nm. Functional groups are present in the synthesized Ag NPs were shifted on 528.48 cm-1 confirmed using an FT-IR spectrum. Consequently, anti-cancer efficacy observed the IC50 value of As Ag NPs against L6 cells was 1.0 μg/mL for 48 h. Finally, using a halogen lamp, studies explored the photocatalytic degradation of AgNPs against the methylene blue radioactive dye and achieved a 96 percent degradation rate in 90 min. Asafoetida mediated silver nanoparticles show grater photodegradation for methylene blue dye, which is present in textile industries, when exposed to solar light, and it has a wide range of potential applications in wastewater treatment. As a whole, biosynthesized silver nanoparticles showed excellent cytotoxic, antioxidant, and photocatalytic dye degradation effects
The impact of climate change on land degradation along with shoreline migration in Ghoramara Island, India
No full text[[abstract]]Sea level rise (SLR) due to climate change is affecting the coastline, causing shoreline changes, the degradation of mangrove forests, and the destruction of coastal resources. This is the cause of a huge amount of mangrove degradation in many parts of the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna delta. A total of 90% of people have been forced to migrate from the island due to extreme weather conditions. In this study, remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques were used for LULC change and shoreline shift analyses of Ghoramara Island. LULC classification was carried out using thirty years of Landsat datasets with intervals of ten years (1990 and 2000) and intervals of five years (2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020). The classification was conducted using a supervised classification method. The field survey data were used to validate the classification results. The total area was reduced from 608 ha (in 1990) to 375 ha (in 2020) due to the extreme weather conditions. Around 39% of the land area was found to be degraded due to shoreline changes. The LULC classes of built-up area, agricultural land, water bodies, and vegetation were found to have lost around 62.345 ha, 63.328 ha, 0.836 ha, and 113.241 ha, respectively, from the year 1990–2020. It was observed that the shoreline shifted towards the north-east, north-west, and southern directions in the last thirty years. This study identified the land use changes due to shoreline shifting and proposed the appropriate to achieve the sustainable development of Ghoramara Island
Anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects of aqueous extract prepared from steamed daylily flower in normal cardiac and hepatic cells against ethanol
No full text[[abstract]]Background: Alcohol abuse resulted in high prevalence of alcoholic cardiac and hepatic disorders. Any agent(s) with the bio-activities to suppress mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and attenuate apoptotic and oxidative stresses might be able to protect cardiac and hepatic cells against ethanol.
Objective(s): Phytochemical composition of aqueous extract prepared from steamed daylily flower (DAE) was determined. The protective effects of DAE for H9c2 and L-02 cells against ethanol were evaluated.
Materials and methods: The amount of total phenolic acids, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins and total triterpenoids in DAE was analyzed. H9c2 or L-02 cells were first treated with 0.25, 0.5 or 1% DAE, and followed by 150 mM ethanol exposure.
Results: The amount of total phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins and triterpenoids in DAE was in the range of 1219-2045 mg/100 g dry weight. DAE treatments at 0.5 and 1% increased the viability of H9c2 cells, but at three test concentrations enhanced the survival of L-02 cells. DAE at 0.5 and 1% up-regulated Bcl-2 mRNA expression, down-regulated Bax mRNA expression, decreased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and lowered caspase-3 activity in both cell lines. Ethanol increased reactive oxygen species level, decreased glutathione content, and glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in both cell lines. DAE at test concentrations reversed these changes in both cell lines. DAE at 0.5 and 1% reduced cytochrome P450 2E1 and NADPH oxidase activities, and lowered p47phox mRNA expression. However, DAE at three test concentrations decreased gp91phox mRNA expression in both cell lines. DAE at 0.5 and 1% up-regulated factor E2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 mRNA expression in both cell lines
Association between Preexisting Sleep Disorders and Oncologic Outcome in Patients with Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Nationwide Propensity Score—Matched Population-Based Cohort Study
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: To investigate the effects of preexisting sleep disorders on the oncologic outcomes of patients receiving standard treatments for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
Methods: The patients recruited from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database who had received surgery for stage I-IVB OSCC. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze all-cause mortality, locoregional recurrence (LRR), and distant metastasis (DM). The patients were categorized into those with and without sleep disorders (Groups 1 and 2, respectively) through propensity score matching.
Results: In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality, LRR, and DM for Group 1 compared with Group 2 were 1.19 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.36; p = 0.011), 1.47 (95% CI: 1.23-1.75; p < 0.001), and 1.15 (95% CI: 1.02-1.44; p = 0.025), respectively.
Conclusion: OSCC patients with sleep disorders demonstrated poorer oncologic outcomes than did those without sleep disorders. Therefore, before OSCC surgery, patients with OSCC should be screened for preexisting sleep disorders because they may serve as predictors for survival in these patients. Future studies investigating the survival benefits of pharmacological and behavioral treatments for sleep problems in patients with OSCC are warranted
Association between Pre-Existing Sleep Disorders and Survival Rates of Patients with Breast Cancer
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: To investigate the effects of pre-existing sleep disorders on the survival outcomes of women receiving standard treatments for breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).
Methods: We recruited patients from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database who had received surgery for clinical stage I-III breast IDC. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze all-cause mortality. We categorized the patients into those with and without sleep disorders (Groups 1 and 2, respectively) through propensity score matching.
Results: In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality for Group 1 compared with Group 2 was 1.51 (95% confidence interval: 1.19, 1.91; p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the sleep disorder group had poorer survival rates than the non-sleep disorder group in breast cancer. Therefore, patients should be screened and evaluated for pre-existing sleep disorders prior to breast surgery, with such disorders serving as a predictor of survival in patients with breast cancer. Future studies may investigate the survival benefits of pharmacological and behavioral treatments for sleep problems in patients with breast cancer
Clinical Effects of PET-CT Before Definite Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Unresectable Stage IIIA–IIIB Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lungs
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: No large-scale, retrospective cohort study with a long-term follow-up time has yet evaluated the effects of preoperative 18 F-FDG PET-CT on survival in patients with unresectable stages IIIA-IIIB squamous cell lung carcinoma (SqCLC) who received definite concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).
Methods: We included patients with unresectable stages IIIA-IIIB SqCLC receiving definite CCRT and categorized them into 2 groups. The case group comprised patients who underwent pre-CCRT 18 F-FDG PET-CT, and the comparison group comprised patients who did not receive pre-CCRT 18 F-FDG PET-CT; the groups were matched at a ratio of 1:1.
Results: The matching process yielded a final cohort of 4042 eligible patients (2021 and 2021 in the case and comparison groups, respectively). Multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed a positive correlation between patients with unresectable stages IIIA-IIIB SqCLC receiving definite CCRT and all-cause death in the pre-CCRT 18 F-FDG PET-CT (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.91; P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: Pre-CCRT 18 F-FDG PET-CT was associated with more favorable survival in both patients with unresectable clinical stage IIIA and those with stage IIIB receiving definite CCRT
Driven Determinants to Indonesia Sharia Commercial Banks' Performance: The Important Role of Diversification Strategy
No full text[[abstract]]Purpose: This study aims to analyze the role of income diversification and asset diversification on the sensitivity of the determinant of the Net Operating Margin (NOM) of Islamic Commercial Banks (ICB) in Indonesia.
Design/Methodology/Approach: By using the technique of the endogenous switching regression analysis, the researcher assumes that the influence of the NOM’s determinant can be different when the bank has high or low diversification. By dividing the two regimes on the diversification variable, the researcher can determine which regime the NOM will be more sensitive to the fluctuation of the NOM’s determinant.
Findings: The results of this study indicate that operational costs have an essential role in determining the level of NOM. NOM tends to be more sensitive to its determinants when the ICB is not functionally diversified compared to ICB, which diversifies its income and assets. This study also found that a large ICB has a greater probability of diversifying high income than a small ICB.
Research limitations/implications: This study has limitations, among others, this study only covers Islamic commercial banks in Indonesia for a certain period due to data availability. This study also only focuses on the company's internal variables, so that future researchers can use a wider range of data and external variables to enrich the diversification effect.
Practical implications: This study has several important policy implications for banks regarding a detailed description of the benefits of asset diversification and income diversification. In addition, the results of this study can also be used as a reference for policy makers, especially the government if they want to build an ideal NOM ratio for the Islamic banking industry by establishing regulations related to the efficiency level of Islamic banking in carrying out financial intermediation activities.
Originality/value: This study contributes to the recent literature that presents the role of income diversification and asset diversification on the sensitivity of the determinants of Net Operating Margin (NOM) in Islamic Commercial Banks (ICB) in Indonesia