Frequency Selectivity Research Articles

A robust medical image zero-watermarking algorithm using Collatz and Fresnelet Transforms

Zero-watermarking in medical images is an emerging field that focuses on calculating the invisible data (key) using medical imagery to ensure data integrity and authenticity without compromising diagnostic accuracy. This paper introduces a robust zero-watermarking technique leveraging the Collatz and Fresnelet Transforms. The Forward Collatz Transform (FCT) is initially applied to create a secure and encrypted embedding pattern for medical images. Subsequently, the Fresnelet Transform (FT) is employed, offering superior localization and frequency selectivity. From the fresnelet values, we extract two strongest Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB) points to enhance watermark robustness, resulting in a 64-bit perceptual image hash. Our approach adopts a dual-layer security strategy by combining FCT and Cyclic-Shift-Transformation (CST) methods, significantly fortifying the protection of watermark image data. The watermark can be efficiently extracted using the Inverse Collatz Transform (ICT). A comprehensive performance analysis evaluates our system under single, double, and multiple attacks on medical images. Our experiments clearly show that our system outperforms existing methods in medical image watermarking, demonstrating its resilience against various manipulations. This approach can significantly improve data security and reliability in medical imaging applications.

Linear analysis of a swirling jet with a realistic swirler model

The dynamics of an axisymmetrical swirling jet is studied via global linear stability and resolvent analyses. The modeled flow represents a combustor-like swirling jet, that is turbulent, compressible, non-parallel, and enclosed. In particular, the computational domain embeds a realistic axisymmetrical swirler model to resolve the mode conversion process. Swirl fluctuations are non-negligible on this configuration representative of a swirl burner, and match the analytical mode shapes of inertial waves of an inviscid uniform flow as obtained from global stability analysis. The stability map presents two eigenvalues driving a modal amplification. These eigenmodes couple a standing acoustic wave sustained in the mixing duct and the combustion chamber with the Kelvin-Helmholtz mechanism at the mixing duct exit and the acoustic-vorticity mode conversion process at the swirler, and act as a frequency selection criterion. Finally, the most amplified forcing from the resolvent analysis is similar to an unsteady heat source in the combustion chamber, and the identified optimal amplification mechanism is likely to be triggered in reacting flow with unsteady heat release rate.

Transformation of neural coding for vibrotactile stimuli along the ascending somatosensory pathway

In mammals, action potentials fired by rapidly adapting mechanosensitive afferents are known to reliably time lock to the cycles of a vibration. How and where along the ascending neuraxis is the peripheral afferent temporal code transformed into a rate code are currently not clear. Here, we probed the encoding of vibrotactile stimuli with electrophysiological recordings along major stages of the ascending somatosensory pathway in mice. We discovered the main transformation step was identified at the level of the thalamus, and parvalbumin-positive interneurons in thalamic reticular nucleus participate in sharpening frequency selectivity and in disrupting the precise spike timing. When frequency-specific microstimulation was applied within the brainstem, it generated frequency selectivity reminiscent of real vibration responses in the somatosensory cortex and could provide informative and robust signals for learning in behaving mice. Taken together, these findings could guide biomimetic stimulus strategies to activate specific nuclei along the ascending somatosensory pathway for neural prostheses.

High‐selectivity wideband four‐way filtering power divider with input absorptive feature

AbstractIn the paper, a high‐selectivity wideband four‐way filtering power divider with input absorptive feature is presented. It consists of two parallel‐coupled lines (CLs), two three‐coupled lines (TCLs), two open‐ended stepped branches, one absorptive branch, and two isolation resistors. The wideband filtering response is achieved by cascading the TCLs and CLs. While high selectivity is obtained by loading the open‐ended stepped branch, where two extra transmission zeros are generated. In addition, wide absorptive bandwidth with good isolations between adjacent output ports are realized by combining the absorptive branch with the isolation resistors. Equations are derived by using the two‐parity mode analysis, and main parameters are investigated in detail. For validation, a prototype was designed and fabricated. Test results show that the 3‐dB FBW can reach 87% with a 10‐dB input absorptive FBW of 200%. Besides, for the output ports with 10‐dB return loss and 10‐dB isolation, the FBWs are 94% and 91.5%, respectively. It also features high frequency selectivity and low insertion loss.

A frequency selection network for medical image segmentation

Existing medical image segmentation methods may only consider feature extraction and information processing in spatial domain, or lack the design of interaction between frequency information and spatial information, or ignore the semantic gaps between shallow and deep features, and lead to inaccurate segmentation results. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel frequency selection segmentation network (FSSN), which achieves more accurate lesion segmentation by fusing local spatial features and global frequency information, better design of feature interactions, and suppressing low correlation frequency components for mitigating semantic gaps. Firstly, we propose a global-local feature aggregation module (GLAM) to simultaneously capture multi-scale local features in the spatial domain and exploits global frequency information in the frequency domain, and achieves complementary fusion of local details features and global frequency information. Secondly, we propose a feature filter module (FFM) to mitigate semantic gaps when we conduct cross-level features fusion, and makes FSSN discriminatively determine which frequency information should be preserved for accurate lesion segmentation. Finally, in order to make better use of local information, especially the boundary of lesion region, we employ deformable convolution (DC) to extract pertinent features in the local range, and makes our FSSN can focus on relevant image contents better. Extensive experiments on two public benchmark datasets show that compared with representative medical image segmentation methods, our FSSN can obtain more accurate lesion segmentation results in terms of both objective evaluation indicators and subjective visual effects with fewer parameters and lower computational complexity.

Composite scattering characteristics analysis of micro-ellipsoidal periodic structure optical surface and microdefects

In order to adjust and detect micro-nano periodic structure optical surface accurately and efficiently, the problem of composite scattering between micro-ellipsoidal periodic structure optical surface and pore defects is studied use the multi-resolution time domain (MRTD) approach. A calculation model is established for the intensity distribution of composite scattering, which is modulated by the micro-ellipsoidal periodic structure optical surface and microdefects. Results are in good agreement with those obtained using CST Microwave Studio software and the finite-different time-domain (FDTD) approach, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the calculation model and method. By combining the field distribution of the micro-ellipsoidal periodic structure optical surface containing microdefects with the optical response at different wavelengths, it is necessary to study the influence of various parameters of the micro-ellipsoidal structure and microdefects on the optical system of metamaterials. The effects of the parameters such as roughness, structure of micro-ellipsoidal unit, defect sizes and buried depths on the composite scattering characteristics are analyzed numerically. The results provide technical support for the fields of functional surface design, ultrasensitive detection, scattering peak orientation and frequency selection.

The single-cell transcriptomic landscape of the topological differences in mammalian auditory receptors.

Mammalian hair cells (HCs) are arranged spirally along the cochlear axis and correspond to different frequency ranges. Serving as primary sound detectors, HCs spatially segregate component frequencies into a topographical map. HCs display significant diversity in anatomical and physiological characteristics, yet little is known about the organization of the cochleotopic map of HCs or the molecules involved in this process. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we determined the distinct molecular profiles of inner hair cells and outer hair cells, and we identified numerous position-dependent genes that were expressed as gradients. Newly identified genes such as Ptn, Rxra, and Nfe2l2 were found to be associated with tonotopy. We employed the SCENIC algorithm to predict the transcription factors that potentially shape these tonotopic gradients. Furthermore, we confirmed that Nfe2l2, a tonotopy-related transcription factor, is critical in mice for sensing low-to-medium sound frequencies in vivo. the analysis of cell-cell communication revealed potential receptor-ligand networks linking inner hair cells to spiral ganglion neurons, including pathways such as BDNF-Ntrk and PTN-Scd4, which likely play essential roles in tonotopic maintenance. Overall, these findings suggest that molecular gradients serve as the organizing principle for maintaining the selection of sound frequencies by HCs.

Enhancing LES efficacy in wind load evaluation of low-rise buildings using synthesized inflow turbulence

In Large-Eddy Simulation (LES), the turbulence inflow can be generated synthetically, where the input value of the maximum turbulence frequency can impact the accuracy. LES efficacy can be influenced by the designated computational domain (CD) size and grid specifications. This study proposes multiple parametric studies that aim to correlate the effective parameters controlling the accuracy of numerical wind load evaluation on a low-rise building without compromising the computational cost. The study includes the efficient selection of turbulence maximum frequency (fmax) that can accurately capture the pressure fluctuation induced on the building facade. Both CD size, which involves the distances from the building to the boundary condition, and CD discretization in terms of grid size scheme and shape, are examined. The error assessment is conducted by comparing wind flow aerodynamics and evaluating the RMSE for the pressure parameters with respect to the wind tunnel test. The findings of this study suggest using fmax which can be resolved by the minimum grid size as an input in the inflow turbulence generated to accurately transport the majority of eddies when a satisfactory wavelength of 4 Δx is utilized. This study shows that computational domain size and discretization can be significant sources of error that can reach 21 %, compromising the reliability of computational wind load predictions. The current code in selecting computational minimum width and length is found to be insufficient. In addition, it is found that there are currently no recommendations for selecting the width computational dimension specifications when examining low-rise buildings oriented in an oblique wind direction. The domain grid specification induced a considerable error of 14 % in the mean pressure across the roof when tetrahedral grid shapes were used. Overall, this study's proposed recommendations can significantly impact the efficacy of computational wind load evaluation for low-rise building geometry.

Effect of stimulus duration on estimates of human cochlear tuning

Auditory masking methods originally employed to assess behavioral frequency selectivity have evolved over the years to infer cochlear tuning. Behavioral forward masking thresholds for spectrally notched noise maskers and a fixed, low-level probe tone provide accurate estimates of cochlear tuning. Here, we use this method to investigate the effect of stimulus duration on human cochlear tuning at 500 Hz and 4 kHz. Probes were 20-ms sinusoids at 10 dB sensation level. Maskers were noises with a spectral notch symmetrically and asymmetrically placed around the probe frequency. For seven participants with normal hearing, masker levels at masking threshold were measured in forward masking for various notch widths and for masker durations of 30 and 400 ms. Measurements were fitted assuming rounded exponential filter shapes and the power spectrum model of masking, and equivalent rectangular bandwidths (ERBs) were inferred from the fits. At 4 kHz, masker thresholds were higher for the shorter maskers but ERBs were not significantly different for the two masker durations (ERB30ms=294 Hz vs. ERB400ms=277 Hz). At 500 Hz, by contrast, notched-noise curves were shallower for the 30-ms than the 400-ms masker, and ERBs were significantly broader for the shorter masker (ERB30ms=126 Hz vs. ERB400ms=55 Hz). We discuss possible factors that may underlay the duration effect at low frequencies and argue that it may not be possible to fully control for those factors. We conclude that tuning estimates are not affected by maker duration at high frequencies but should be measured and interpreted with caution at low frequencies.

Theoretical study of the effects of surface Cu coordination environment on CO2 hydrogenation to CH3OH

The coordination environment of Cu (the coordination number and arrangement of surface atoms) plays an important role in CO2 hydrogenation to CH3OH. Compared with the extensive studies of the effects of coordination number, the comprehensive effects of coordination number and arrangement of surface atoms were seldom explored in literature. To unravel the effects of surface Cu coordination environment on CO2 hydrogenation to CH3OH, the adsorption and reaction behaviors of H2 and CO2 on Cu(111), (100), (110) and (211) with different coordination numbers and arrangement of surface Cu were systematically calculated by density functional theory (DFT) and kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulation. It was found that the adsorption energies of intermediates in CO2 hydrogenation on Cu surfaces increase with the decrease of coordination number. When the Cu coordination numbers are similar, the charge density on the open surface derived from the different atom arrangement becomes larger and leads to stronger interaction with intermediates than that on the compact one. DFT calculation and kMC simulation indicate that methanol formation pathway follows CO2*→HCOO*→HCOOH*→H2COOH*→H2CO*→CH3O*→CH3OH* on four Cu facets; CO formation is via CO2 direct dissociation on Cu(111), (100) and (110) but COOH* dissociation on (211). The low-coordinated surface Cu with more openness on Cu(211) is the highly active site for CO2 hydrogenation to CH3OH with high turnover of frequency (3.71 × 10−4 s−1) and high selectivity (87.17 %) at 600 K, PCO2 = 7.5 atm and PH2 = 22.5 atm, which is much higher than those on Cu(111), (100) and (110). This work unravels the effects of coordination environment on CO2 hydrogenation at the molecular level and provides an important insight into the design and development of catalysts with high performance in CO2 hydrogenation to CH3OH.

Verification of Outer Hair Cell Motor Protein, Prestin, as a Serological Biomarker for Mouse Cochlear Damage.

The motor protein prestin, found in the inner ear's outer hair cells (OHCs), is responsible for high sensitivity and sharp frequency selectivity in mammalian hearing. Some studies have suggested that prestin could be a serological biomarker for cochlear damage, as OHCs are highly vulnerable to damage from various sources. However, the reported data are inconsistent and lack appropriate negative controls. To investigate whether prestin can be used as a serological biomarker for cochlear damage or stress, we measured prestin quantities in the bloodstreams of mice using ELISA kits from different companies. Wildtype (WT) mice were exposed to different ototoxic treatments, including noise exposure and ototoxic reagents that rapidly kill OHCs. Prestin-knockout (KO) mice were used as a negative control. Our data show that some ELISA kits were not able to detect prestin specifically. The ELISA kit that could detect the prestin protein from cochlear homogenates failed to detect prestin in the bloodstream, despite there being significant damage to OHCs in the cochleae. Furthermore, the optical densities of the serum samples, which correlate to prestin quantities, were significantly influenced by hemolysis in the samples. In conclusion, Prestin from OHCs is not a sensitive and reliable serological biomarker for detecting cochlear damage in mice using ELISA.

Versatile design of tunable Faraday rotator for terahertz band using graphene-InSb-graphene and 1D photonic crystal

A Faraday rotator, composed of graphene-InSb-graphene as magnetic floor and Si- SiO2 materials as the non-magnetic floor is designed to operate at 10 THz frequency, promising for realizing future communication devices. The height of the dielectric layers significantly influences the selection of the resonance frequency. Additionally, the structure can be tuned to operate at a desired frequency thanks to the adjustable surface conductivity of graphene. The findings reveal that variations in the strength of the applied magnetic field intricately modulate the Faraday rotation (FR) and subsequently alter the transmission spectrum. Specifically, values exceeding 40 degrees of FR and a transmission rate of 50% were attainedwhen the magnetic field strength (B) was set at 2 Tesla. Finally, we have proposed a design process for a Faraday rotator that can operate at any arbitrary frequency in the THz band. This innovative design has the potential to introduce a novel approach in ultrathin magneto-optical nanophotonic devices, enabling the realization of polarization rotators characterized by elevated transmittance and reduced reliance on applied static magnetic fields within the THz band.

A novel filtering patch antenna with high selectivity and wide out‐of‐band suppression

AbstractIn this study, a novel filtering patch antenna with high selectivity and wide out‐of‐band suppression is presented. The antenna consists of a square patch, a metal ground and a feeding line, and four radiation nulls are introduced out of the passband. By designing the stepped feeding line with metal vias, two radiation nulls are introduced out of the passband. A U‐shaped slot is etched on the ground, and a third radiation null is produced. A lowpass filter, integrated into the feeding line, results in the fourth radiation null and the harmonic suppression response. By introducing these structures, the antenna achieves satisfactory frequency selectivity and bilateral wide harmonic suppressions. The proposed design is verified by the simulation and measurement results. Measured impedance bandwidth is 15% (3.33–3.87 GHz), which can perfectly cover the 5G‐N78 band, and measured peak gain can reach 9.0 dBi. The measured edge roll‐off rates in the lower and upper sidebands are 232 and 139 dB/GHz, respectively.

Limitations in human auditory spectral analysis at high frequencies.

Humans are adept at identifying spectral patterns, such as vowels, in different rooms, at different sound levels, or produced by different talkers. How this feat is achieved remains poorly understood. Two psychoacoustic analogs of spectral pattern recognition are spectral profile analysis and spectrotemporal ripple direction discrimination. This study tested whether pattern-recognition abilities observed previously at low frequencies are also observed at extended high frequencies. At low frequencies (center frequency ∼500 Hz), listeners were able to achieve accurate profile-analysis thresholds, consistent with prior literature. However, at extended high frequencies (center frequency ∼10 kHz), listeners' profile-analysis thresholds were either unmeasurable or could not be distinguished from performance based on overall loudness cues. A similar pattern of results was observed with spectral ripple discrimination, where performance was again considerably better at low than at high frequencies. Collectively, these results suggest a severe deficit in listeners' ability to analyze patterns of intensity across frequency in the extended high-frequency region that cannot be accounted for by cochlear frequency selectivity. One interpretation is that the auditory system is not optimized to analyze such fine-grained across-frequency profiles at extended high frequencies, as they are not typically informative for everyday sounds.

Wide‐angle band‐pass FSS with high‐frequency selectivity based on SIW cavity technology

AbstractThis work proposes and investigates a wide‐angle band‐pass frequency selective surface (FSS) with two sharp sidebands. The presented FSS element is made up of three metallic layers and two substrate layers in between, which are surrounded by a substrate‐integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity. The top metallic layer is identical to the bottom layer, composed of a square patch etched with a hexagonal groove, while the middle layer is a similar patch but with rectangular notch edges. This structure achieves a second‐order band‐pass response with highly frequency selectivity on either side of the passband. At the same time, this FSS demonstrates excellent stability for both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarizations with incident angles between 0° and 60°. The electric current and field distributions are demonstrated for deep analysis. Furthermore, an equivalent circuit model is developed to further understand the operating mechanisms. To verify the validity of the design, we construct a prototype of the SIW‐based FSS (SIW‐FSS) and measured it. There is a fair degree of agreement between the measured and simulated results. Finally, we loaded it onto the horn antenna and tested its application in filtering antennas.

Screening for optimal parameters for modified pharyngeal electrical stimulation for the treatment of dysphagia after stroke in rats

Pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES), a novel noninvasive peripheral nerve stimulation technique, can effectively improve neurogenic dysphagia and increase the safety and effectiveness of swallowing in the clinic. However, the lack of animal models for dysphagia has limited the mechanistic research on PES, which affects its wide application. Therefore, determining optimal parameters for PES in rats is needed to enable mechanistic studies. Modified PES (mPES), which has different waves and pulse widths from PES, was used; in previous studies mPES was found to have a neurological mechanism like that of PES. A poststroke dysphagia (PSD) model was established, and rats with dysphagia were grouped into three different intensities (0.1 mA, 0.5 mA, and 1 mA) for the selection of optimal intensity and three different frequencies (1 Hz, 2 Hz, and 5 Hz) for the selection of optimal frequency based on a stimulation duration of 10 min in the clinic. A Videofluroscopic Swallow Screen (VFSS) was used to assess swallowing function in rats before and after mPES treatment. The results showed that the 1 mA group had better swallowing function (p < 0.05) than the model group. Compared with the model group, the 1 Hz and 5 Hz groups had the same improvement in swallowing function (p < 0.05). However, the increase in excitatory signals in the sensorimotor cortex was more pronounced in the 5 Hz group than in the other frequency stimulation groups (p < 0.05). Combining the clinical findings with the above results, we concluded that the optimal stimulation parameter for mPES in rats is “frequency: 5 Hz, current intensity: 1 mA for 10 min/day”, which provides a basis for future basic experimental studies of mPES in animals.

Exploring deeper groundwater in a dolomite aquifer using telluric electric frequency selection method geophysical approach

Several Telluric Electric Frequency Selection Method (TEFSM) geophysical equipment is now available for groundwater exploration. However, case studies on its application in different hydrogeological settings are limited. This study investigates the TEFSM geophysical approach's application to identify groundwater potential sites for drilling production boreholes in a dolomite aquifer in South Africa. Field tests comprised geophysical surveys using the TEFSM approach to collect vertical and horizontal electrical potential difference profile data from four sites. Evaluation of the potential difference profile data before borehole drilling indicated that two sites had groundwater potential. Two sites were therefore prepared for drilling. Corroboration of the survey data and drilling lithology show that the TEFSM investigated up to 230 m depth and delineated the thickness of the dolomite aquifer from 170 m to 210 m. The dolomite aquifer was delineated based on low EPD contrast ranging from 0.042 to 0.083 mV. The ability of the TEFSM to delineate the dolomite aquifer at a depth of 170–210 m highlights the technical capability of the approach in exploring deeper aquifers that are important to meet the rising demand for freshwater. More research is necessary to establish the EPD ranges of aquifer lithology in different hydrogeological settings. It will assist in the interpretation of the data by field practitioners to optimise the application of this TEFSM technology in groundwater investigations.

An ultra-thin tri-functional coding metasurface based on frequency and polarization selection

An ultra-thin tri-functional coding metasurface based on frequency and polarization selection

Tunable band-stop fiber filter based on laser-induced graphene metamaterial in THz frequency.

As an important device in the application of terahertz (THz) technology, a THz filter has broad application prospects in the fields of THz communication, imaging, and sensing. In this paper, a THz filter based on grating structure laser-induced graphene (LIG)/ side polishing terahertz fiber composite structure is proposed. In the experiment, we achieved the maximum Q factor of 23.83 at the central resonant frequency of 0.715 THz. By modifying the grating structure, a tunable operational span of 269 GHz was achieved, along with a tunable range of 21 GHz through laser stimulation. In testing, we found that LIG materials prepared with circular filling are more sensitive to relatively high-power pump lasers, while LIG samples prepared with line filling exhibit better linear response to laser power. Furthermore, the compact and highly integrated nature of the device suggests its broad potential utility in the realm of THz frequency selection.

Criticality and chaos in auditory and vestibular sensing

The auditory and vestibular systems exhibit remarkable sensitivity of detection, responding to deflections on the order of angstroms, even in the presence of biological noise. The auditory system exhibits high temporal acuity and frequency selectivity, allowing us to make sense of the acoustic world around us. As the acoustic signals of interest span many orders of magnitude in both amplitude and frequency, this system relies heavily on nonlinearities and power-law scaling. The vestibular system, which detects ground-borne vibrations and creates the sense of balance, exhibits highly sensitive, broadband detection. It likewise requires high temporal acuity so as to allow us to maintain balance while in motion. The behavior of these sensory systems has been extensively studied in the context of dynamical systems theory, with many empirical phenomena described by critical dynamics. Other phenomena have been explained by systems in the chaotic regime, where weak perturbations drastically impact the future state of the system. Using a Hopf oscillator as a simple numerical model for a sensory element in these systems, we explore the intersection of the two types of dynamical phenomena. We identify the relative tradeoffs between different detection metrics, and propose that, for both types of sensory systems, the instabilities giving rise to chaotic dynamics improve signal detection.