DIGDH: A Novel Framework of Difference Image Grafting Deep Hiding for Image Data Hiding

Data hiding is the technique of embedding data into video or audio media. With the development of deep neural networks (DNN), the quality of images generated by novel data hiding methods based on DNN is getting better. However, there is still room for the similarity between the original images and the images generated by the DNN models which were trained based on the existing hiding frameworks to improve, and it is hard for the receiver to distinguish whether the container image is from the real sender. We propose a framework by introducing a key_img for using the over-fitting characteristic of DNN and combined with difference image grafting symmetrically, named difference image grafting deep hiding (DIGDH). The key_img can be used to identify whether the container image is from the real sender easily. The experimental results show that without changing the structures of networks, the models trained based on the proposed framework can generate images with higher similarity to original cover and secret images. According to the analysis results of the steganalysis tool named StegExpose, the container images generated by the hiding model trained based on the proposed framework is closer to the random distribution.

Explosive Burning of a Mechanically Activated Al and CuO Thermite Mixture

The results of experiments to determine the role of structural schemes for the ignition of a mechanically activated thermite mixture Al–CuO and the formation of its combustion flame are presented. The reaction initiated in the bulk of the experimental assembly transforms into torch combustion in an open space. The dynamics of the volume of the flame reaction region was determined. The stage of flame formation has a stochastic character, determined by the random distribution of the reaction centres in the initial volume of the components. A high-speed camera, a pyrometer and electro contact sensors were used as diagnostic tools. The ultimate goal of the study was to optimize the conditions for the flame formation of this mixture for its effective use with a single ignition of various gas emissions.

Pinning of dislocations in disordered alloys: effects of dislocation orientation

The current interest in compositionally complex alloys including so called high entropy alloys has caused renewed interest in the general problem of solute hardening. It has been suggested that this problem can be addressed by treating the alloy as an effective medium containing a random distribution of dilatation and compression centers representing the volumetric misfit of atoms of different species. The mean square stresses arising from such a random distribution can be calculated analytically, their spatial correlations are strongly anisotropic and exhibit long-range tails with third-order power law decay (Geslin and Rodney 2021; Geslin et al. 2021). Here we discuss implications of the anisotropic and long-range nature of the correlation functions for the pinning of dislocations of arbitrary orientation. While edge dislocations are found to follow the standard pinning paradigm, for dislocations of near screw orientation we demonstrate the co-existence of two types of pinning energy minima.

Spatial pattern dynamics of Cyclobalanopsis myrsinifolia in mixed broad-leaved forests on Tianmu Mountain, eastern China, 1996–2012

Studies of the spatial patterns of dominant plant species may provide significant insights into processes and mechanisms that maintain stand stability. This study was performed in a permanent 1 ha plot in evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forests on Tianmu Mountain. Based on two surveys (1996 and 2012), the dynamics of the spatial distribution pattern of the dominant population ( (Blume) Oersted) and the intra- and interspecific relationships between and other dominant species populations were analyzed using Ripley’s () function. We identified the importance value of a species in a community, which is the sum of the relative density, relative frequency, and relative dominance. The drivers of spatial distribution variation and the maintenance mechanisms of the forest were discussed. The results showed that the importance value of within the community decreased over the past 16 years. The population exhibited a significantly aggregated distribution within a spatial scale of 0–25 m in 1996 whereas it changed to a random distribution at scales larger than 5.5 m in 2012. From 1996 to 2012, the spatial distribution patterns between and (Batal.) Iljinsk. and between and (Lamb.) Hook did not change significantly. In 1996, and Miq. were positively associated at the scale of 0–25 m; this relationship was strongly significant at the scale of 6–10 m. However, there was no association between the populations of two species in terms of the spatial distribution at the scale of 0–25 m in 2012. Our findings indicate that the drivers of variation in the spatial distribution of the population were intra- and interspecific mutual relationships as well the seed-spreading mechanism of this species.Cyclobalanopsis myrsinifoliaC. myrsinifoliaKrC. myrsinifoliaC. myrsinifoliaC. myrsinifoliaCyclocarya paliurusC. myrsinifoliaCunninghamia lanceolataC. myrsinifoliaDaphniphyllum macropodumC. myrsinifolia

Molecular and epidemiological characterization of recurrent Mycobacterium ulcerans infections in Benin

Background Buruli ulcer is a neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, an environmental mycobacterium. Although transmission of M. ulcerans remains poorly understood, the main identified risk factor for acquiring Buruli ulcer is living in proximity of potentially contaminated water sources. Knowledge about the clinical features of Buruli ulcer and its physiopathology is increasing, but little is known about recurrence due to reinfection. Methodology/Principal findings We describe two patients with Buruli ulcer recurrence due to reinfection with M. ulcerans, as demonstrated by comparisons of DNA from the strains isolated at the time of the first diagnosis and at recurrence. Based on the spatial distribution of M. ulcerans genotypes in this region and a detailed study of the behavior of these two patients with respect to sources of water as well as water bodies and streams, we formulated hypotheses concerning the sites at which they may have been contaminated. Conclusions/Significance Second episodes of Buruli ulcer may occur through reinfection, relapse or a paradoxical reaction. We formally demonstrated that the recurrence in these two patients was due to reinfection. Based on the sites at which the patients reported engaging in activities relating to water, we were able to identify possible sites of contamination. Our findings indicate that the non-random distribution of M. ulcerans genotypes in this region may provide useful information about activities at risk.

Use of exponential distribution in mathematical models of dependability

The exponential distribution of time to event or end of state is popular in the dependability theory. This distribution is characterized by the strength that is a convenient parameter used in mathematical models and calculations. The exponential distribution is used as part of dependability-related process simulation. Examples are given to illustrate the applicability of the exponential distribution. Aim. The aim of the paper is to improve the dependability-related simulation methods when using the exponential distribution of periods of states or times to events. Methods. The assumption of the exponential distribution of time between events can be justified or discarded using methods of the probability theory and/or mathematical statistics or on the basis of personal or engineering experience. It has been experimentally established that the failure flow in an established mode of operation is stationary, ordinary and produces no consequences. Such flow is Poisson and is distinct in the fact that the time between two consecutive failures is distributed exponentially with a constant rate. This exponential distribution is reasonably extended to the distribution of an item’s failure-free time. However, in other cases, the use of exponential distribution is often not duly substantiated. The methodological approach and the respective conclusions are case-based. A number of experience-based cases are given to show the non-applicability of exponential distribution. Discussion. Cases are examined, in which the judgement on the applicability or non-applicability of exponential distribution can be made on the basis of personal experience or the probability theory. However, in case of such events as completion of recovery, duration of scheduled inspection, duration of maintenance, etc., a judgement regarding the applicability of exponential distribution cannot be made in the absence of personal experience associated with such events. The distribution of such durations is to be established using statistical methods. The paper refers to the author’s publications that compare the frequency of equipment inspections with regular and exponentially distributed periods. The calculated values of some indicators are retained, while for some others they are different. There is a two-fold difference between the unavailability values for the above ways of defining the inspection frequency. Findings and conclusions. The proposed improvements to the application of exponential distribution as part of dependability simulation come down to the requirement of clear substantiation of the application of exponential distribution of time between events using methods of the probability theory and mathematical statistics. An unknown random distribution cannot be replaced with an exponential distribution without a valid substantiation. Replacing a random time in a subset of states with a random exponentially distributed time with a constant rate should be done with an error calculation.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGE DISPARITIES IN CONIFER CHARCOAL FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES AND APPLICATIONS FOR TREE-RING-RADIOCARBON DATING

ABSTRACT Age disparities between charcoal samples and their context are a well-known problem in archaeological chronometry, and even small offsets could affect the accuracy of high-precision wiggle-matched dates. In many cases of taphonomic or anthropogenic loss of the outermost rings, sapwood-based methods for estimating cutting dates are not always applicable, especially with charcoal. In these instances, wiggle-matched terminus post quem (TPQ) dates are often reconciled with subjective or ad hoc approaches. This study examines the distribution of age disparities caused by ring loss and other factors in a large dendroarchaeological dataset. Probability density functions describing the random distribution of age disparities are then fit to the empirical distributions. These functions are tested on an actual wiggle-matched non-cutting date from the literature to evaluate accuracy in a single case. Simulations are then presented to demonstrate how an age offset function can be applied in OxCal outlier models to yield accurate dating in archaeological sequences with short intervals between dated episodes, even if all samples are non-cutting dates.

The spatial association of accessory minerals with biotite in granitic rocks from the South Mountain Batholith, Nova Scotia, Canada

We use mineral liberation analysis (MLA) to quantify the spatial association of 15,118 grains of accessory apatite, monazite, xenotime, and zircon with essential biotite, and clustered with themselves, in a peraluminous biotite granodiorite from the South Mountain Batholith in Nova Scotia (Canada). A random distribution of accessory minerals demands that the proportion of accessory minerals in contact with biotite is identical to the proportion of biotite in the rock, and the binary touching factor (percentage of accessory mineral touching biotite divided by modal proportion of biotite) would be ~1.00. Instead, the mean binary touching factors for the four accessory minerals in relation to biotite are: apatite (5.06 for 11,168 grains), monazite (4.68 for 857 grains), xenotime (4.36 for 217 grains), and zircon (5.05 for 2876 grains). Shared perimeter factors give similar values. Accessory mineral grains that straddle biotite grain boundaries are larger than completely locked, or completely liberated, accessory grains. Only apatite-monazite clusters are significantly more abundant than expected for random distribution. The high, and statistically significant, binary touching factors and shared perimeter factors suggest a strong physical or chemical control on their spatial association. We evaluate random collisions in magma (synneusis), heterogeneous nucleation processes, induced nucleation in passively enriched boundary layers, and induced nucleation in actively enriched boundary layers to explain the significant touching factors. All processes operate during the crystallization history of the magma, but induced nucleation in passively and actively enriched boundary layers are most likely to explain the strong spatial association of phosphate accessories and zircon with biotite. In addition, at least some of the apatite and zircon may also enter the granitic magma as inclusions in grains of Ostwald-ripened xenocrystic biotite.

Tree species diversity in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT)

The present study was conducted in Kalidhar forest of western Shiwaliks, Jammu, JK (UT), to assess the tree diversity and undertake phytosociological analysis in three major land use (LU) classes i.e. Forest, Agriculture and Scrub area. A total of 70, 50 and 50 sample plots of 0.1 ha were laid respectively in forests, scrub and agriculture LU classes. The study revealed that in forests possess a total 39 tree species belonging to 19 families and 31 genera, whereas, in scrub and agriculture lands a total of 9 tree species (8 families and 9 genera) and 60 tree species (26 families and 46 genera) were recorded respectively. Mallotus philippensis was the most dense tree species with 2.85 individuals per ha in forests followed by Pinus roxburghii 2.06 per hectare. In scrub and agriculture land Acacia modesta and Grewia optiva were found the densest species respectively. The value of Importance value index (IVI) was found highest for Pinus roxburhii (44.63) in forests, whereas, respective values were recorded highest for Syzygium cumini (82.64) and Grewia optiva (29.0) in scrub and agriculture lands. Flacourtia indica and Pinus roxburghii showed random distribution in forest and Syzygium cumini was also found to have random distribution in the scrub lands. Contiguous distribution was found for all tree species encountered in agriculture (LU) class. The diversity values of Shannon Wiener and Simpson indices showed highest tree diversity in agriculture lands with the values of 3.19 and 0.07 respectively followed by that in forests (2.47 and 0.14). Tree species richness was found high in agriculture area with Margalef’s (59.86) and Menhinick’s (1.80).