Universal Module Research Articles

MP3 steganalysis based on joint point-wise and block-wise correlations

With the growing attention on multimedia security, various MP3 steganographic and steganalytic algorithms have been proposed increasingly. However, the existing MP3 steganalysis is lack of good universality and detection performance. To address this problem, we devise an effective MP3 steganalytic algorithm based on joint point-wise and block-wise correlations of quantified modified discrete cosine transfer coefficients matrix. On the one hand, a universal rich high pass filtering module for MP3 steganalysis is deployed to boost the sensitiveness of the algorithm to the subtle signal brought by the data hiding. On the other hand, based on the principle of MP3 encoding and the characteristics of MP3 steganography, multi-scale correlations measure module is introduced, which is used to measure the changes of point-wise, 2 × 2 block-wise, and 4 × 4 block-wise correlations due to steganography separately. Additionally, customized feature optimization, including truncated threshold selection and high pass filters measure, is performed based on the properties of MP3 steganography. Experimental results illustrate that our proposed algorithm can be applied to various MP3 steganographic algorithms, bitrates, duration, and relative payloads. Detection accuracies are promoted by more than 20% averagely compared with state-of-the-art methods.

Genome-wide identification, expression profiles and regulatory network of MAPK cascade gene family in barley

BackgroundMitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is a conserved and universal signal transduction module in organisms. Although it has been well characterized in many plants, no systematic analysis has been conducted in barley.ResultsHere, we identified 20 MAPKs, 6 MAPKKs and 156 MAPKKKs in barley through a genome-wide search against the updated reference genome. Then, phylogenetic relationship, gene structure and conserved protein motifs organization of them were systematically analyzed and results supported the predictions. Gene duplication analysis revealed that segmental and tandem duplication events contributed to the expansion of barley MAPK cascade genes and the duplicated gene pairs were found to undergone strong purifying selection. Expression profiles of them were further investigated in different organs and under diverse abiotic stresses using the available 173 RNA-seq datasets, and then the tissue-specific and stress-responsive candidates were found. Finally, co-expression regulatory network of MAPK cascade genes was constructed by WGCNA tool, resulting in a complicated network composed of a total of 72 branches containing 46 HvMAPK cascade genes and 46 miRNAs.ConclusionThis study provides the targets for further functional study and also contribute to better understand the MAPK cascade regulatory network in barley and beyond.

Innovative Technologies and Technical Means for Industrial Nursery Farming

Russian manufacturing companies do not produce high-clearance equipment for nursery farms growing fruit and berry planting material. In this respect, VIM and Michurinsk State Agrarian University have developed a system of high-clearance machines, taking into account the nursery area, thus providing for effi cient production. (Research purpose) Increasing the effi ciency of growing seedlings and apple rootstocks reproducing in a vegetative way in a mother plantation by means of complex mechanization based on universal technical equipment and technological modules with rational design parameters and kinematic characteristics of working units. (Materials and methods) General methodology for testing machines and working units was supplemented with specifi c methods used in accordance with the research program. The authors made experimental models of machines for spring opening of grafters, cultivating growing shoots, cleaning leaves, and separating branches; provided a system of automatic orientation over a number of plants; and developed a set of technical tools for the care of grafters. (Results and discussion) It has been determined that high-quality spring opening of a mother plantation with the observance of optimal timing for opening shoots increases the productivity of the mother plantation by 7-10 percent. Establishing an optimal environment for plant development using a machine with an active working unit for hilling growing shoots increases the output of standard layering up to 86.2-90.6 percent. Appropriate mechanized separation of layering in improved cutting conditions allowed to increase the yield of standard layering by 5-7 percent, and in the subsequent year there was an 8-10 percent increase in the yield of standard layering (of the fi rst grade) due to their better rooting. (Conclusions) The economic effi ciency of using a universal mechanized set of machinery in a mother plantation is from 514 thousand to 664 thousand rubles per one hectare. The use of high-level technical means of SUVES, VP-1.5 and AP-1.5 with replaceable technological modules increases the level of mechanization by an average of 30 percent, signifi cantly reduces labor costs – up to 20 percent, and improves working conditions for operating staff .

Assembly of Modular Robot for Cleaning Various Length of Solar Panels

This paper discusses about the design and feasibility study for building a modular robot for cleaning solar panels. The objective was to design a universal module for transmission and manipulation that can be used with different length of solar panels and different arrangements in solar panel. Since there are various configurations for arranging the solar panel, this robot can be modified using an advantage of modular robots. The principle of working is to clean a solar panel with water, spiral brush, and rubber sweeper. The modular concepts were validated for the solar panel with a range of 1 to 4 meters in both testing and field environments. The solar panels cleaning robot can clean dirt and dust on the panel and increase the power generation of the solar panels. The target applications for this design can be extended for a solar farm, solar rooftop, and floating solar panels.

Robust gene expression control in human cells with a novel universal TetR aptamer splicing module.

Fine-tuning of gene expression is desirable for a wide range of applications in synthetic biology. In this context, RNA regulatory devices provide a powerful and highly functional tool. We developed a versatile, robust and reversible device to control gene expression by splicing regulation in human cells using an aptamer that is recognized by the Tet repressor TetR. Upon insertion in proximity to the 5′ splice site, intron retention can be controlled via the binding of TetR to the aptamer. Although we were able to demonstrate regulation for different introns, the genomic context had a major impact on regulation. In consequence, we advanced the aptamer to develop a splice device. Our novel device contains the aptamer integrated into a context of exonic and intronic sequences that create and maintain an environment allowing a reliable and robust splicing event. The exon-born, additional amino acids will then be cleaved off by a self-cleaving peptide. This design allows portability of the splicing device, which we confirmed by demonstrating its functionality in different gene contexts. Intriguingly, our splicing device shows a high dynamic range and low basal activity, i.e. desirable features that often prove a major challenge when implementing synthetic biology in mammalian cell lines.

A Battery‐Like Self‐Charge Universal Module for Motional Energy Harvest

AbstractWearable and portable electronics have brought great convenience. These battery‐powered commercial devices have a limited lifetime and require recharging, which makes more extensive applications challenging. Here, a battery‐like self‐charge universal module (SUM) is developed, which is able to efficiently convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and store it in one device. An integrated SUM consists of a power management unit and an energy harvesting unit. Compared to other mechanical energy harvesting devices, SUM is more ingenious, efficient and can be universally used as a battery. Under low frequency (5 Hz), a SUM can deliver an excellent normalized output power of 2 mW g−1. After carrying several SUMs and jogging for 10 min, a commercial global positioning system module is powered and works continuously for 0.5 h. SUMs can be easily assembled into different packages for powering various commercial electronics, demonstrating the great application prospects of SUM as a sustainable battery‐like device for wearable and portable electronics.

Shoot Formation of Persicaria amphibia (L.) Delarbre from Positions of Modular Organization

A biomorphological analysis of three biomorphs of Persicaria amphibia (L.) Delarbre characterized by features of shoot formation under different environmental conditions has been carried out from positions of a systematic approach and modular organization. The shoot systems of all biomorphs are formed according to the sympodial long-shoot formation model and are composed of the same type of elementary modules. Monocarpic innovation shoots, silleptic shoots, and shoots with an incomplete development cycle are universal modules in various habitats. The variability of plant-shoot systems is determined by modular organization and demonstrates the plasticity of the P. amphibia biomorph.

Universal fluorescence module for intraoperative fluorescein angiography-a technical report.

Even in specialized centers, suboptimal aneurysm clipping can be as high as 12%. Intraoperative fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green and, more recently, fluorescein sodium have been shown to be a good method for intraoperative flow assessment. However, the cost with the apparatus it entails limits its widespread use. We have developed a low-cost universal fluorescence module (FM) designed to visualize fluorescein and perform intraoperative angiography. The purpose of this paper is to describe this device as well as to present our early experience with its use in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. A FM was designed and built using a cyan-blue narrow bandpass (460 to 490nm) excitation filter and a yellow-orange longpass (blocking wavelengths under 520nm) barrier filter mounted on a 3D-printed holding tray in a specific disposition to perfectly match the light source and the objective lens of the surgical microscope. It allowed switching from white light to fluorescence mode in a simple and sterile fashion. Its perfect attachment to the microscope was possible by reusing the lens fittings extracted from used original drape sets that would otherwise be discarded. Four patients underwent aneurysm clipping using the FM at two institutions from April to September 2018. A bright green fluorescence against a dark background was observed after intravenous bolus of fluorescein. Blood vessels became obviously distinct from non-contrast-filled structures such as clipped aneurysms and the brain. Vascular anatomy could be appreciated without any distortion, including perforating arteries. Intraoperative fluorescence angiography was successfully performed with the use of this universal FM after intravenous injection of fluorescein sodium. This simple and low-cost device may be useful in resource-limited centers, where other sorts of intraoperative angiography are not available.

Three Main Genes in the MAPK Cascade Involved in the Chinese Jujube-Phytoplasma Interaction

Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is an important economic forest species and multipurpose fruit tree in the family of Rhamnaceae. Phytoplasmas are significant prokaryotic pathogens, associated with more than 1000 plant diseases. Jujube witches’ broom disease (JWB) is a typical phytoplasma disease, caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are highly universal signal transduction modules and play crucial roles in regulating innate immune responses in plants. Thus, in the current study, systematical expression profiles of 10 ZjMPK and 4 ZjMPKK genes were conducted in plantlets with JWB disease, plantlets recovered from JWB disease, the tissues showing different disease symptoms, and resistant/susceptible cultivars infected by JWB phytoplasma. We found that most ZjMPK and ZjMKK genes exhibited significant up- or down-regulation expression under phytoplasma infection, but the top three differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were ZjMPK2, ZjMKK2 and ZjMKK4, which showed the biggest times of gene’s significant difference expression in all materials. Based on STRING database analysis, ZjMKK2 and ZjMPK2 were involved in the same plant-pathogen interaction pathway, and Yeast two-hybrid screening showed that ZjMKK2 could interact with ZjMPK2. Finally, we deduced a pathway of jujube MAPK cascades which response to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi’ infection. Our study presents the first gene-family-wide investigation on the systematical expression analysis of MAPK and MAPKK genes in Chinese jujube under phytoplasma infection. These results provide valuable information for the further research on the signaling pathway of phytoplasma infection in Chinese jujube.

A Resource-Efficient and Side-Channel Secure Hardware Implementation of Ring-LWE Cryptographic Processor

Lattice-based cryptography has shown great potential due to its resistance against quantum attacks. With the security requirements for high-precision Gaussian sampling and complex polynomial multiplication over rings, as well as storage of large public-keys, it is extremely challengeable but important to implement lattice-based schemes on resources constrained devices. In this paper, a resource-efficient and side-channel secure Ring-LWE cryptographic processor is presented. A discrete Gaussian sampler with constant response time, high precision, and large distribution tails is designed. The proposed Gaussian sampler is proven to be secure against side-channel timing attack according to the timing analysis attack results on a FPGA-based testing platform. A universal module MPE (Modular Processing Element) is designed to carry out all basic modular operations for Ring-LWE cryptography with high speed. The prototype verification is performed on the Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA platform. The processor can execute an encryption/decryption operation on a 256-bit message in 4.5/0.9 ms whilst it consumes only 1307 LUTs, 889 FFs, 4 BRAMs, and none DSP module. Compared with other related hardware implementations, the Ring-LWE processor is advantageous not only in hardware efficiency but also in secure protection against side-channel attacks.

Ultrasonic transducer designs for combinational treatment of biological tissues

The paper describes the results of the development and study of therapeutic transducers intended for the implementation of new methods of complex combinational treatment of biological tissues. The methods are based on synergetic combination of different physical factors such as dynamical focusing and multifrequency influences, ultrasonic shear and standing waves impact, ultrasonic heating and cavitation, radio-frequency heating (RF), vacuum massage, as well as ultrasonically assisted drags delivery and activation. The original designs of sectored HIFU transducers made from porous piezoelectric ceramics were developed and studied. The technology of manufacturing of spherical focusing elements from porous piezoceramics was described. The universal therapeutic module for combinational treatment of superficial tissues comprising electronic block, vacuum system, and therapeutic head consisting of USW and RF transducers was designed and tested. The efficacy, safety and selectivity of developed therapeutic transducers for various therapeutic, surgical and cosmetic applications were proved by the results of ex vivo experiments with different biological tissues.

Digital agricultural technologies in the “Smart garden” system

The article presents the key parameters of modern systems of technological processes design, control and management of plant life parameters and robotic machines for the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies in the “Smart garden” system. The software and hardware, ensuring the formation and management of machine technologies of the perennial garden plantings maintenance that allow for economically managed, environmentally safe and sustainable production, taking into account the interests of producers in specific production conditions were analyzed. The article describes the possibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic machines in horticulture in the management of production processes, technical means of navigation, control over the implementation of technological operations, digital monitoring of crop yields, analysis of diseases and pests on plants. The classification of the means of remote information acquisition installed on the ground robotic means and aircraft was given. The priority tasks for increasing the efficiency of the “Smart Garden” system application, connected with the creation of a unified information network for the collection, storage and processing of data on the parameters of plant life, development of universal modules of technical vision and algorithms for pattern recognition of biological objects in horticulture and fundamentally new mechatronic robotic means for the implementation of technological processes in horticulture (harvesting manipulators, robotic weeders, platforms for monitoring plantations) were determined.

Cable Routing Design and Performance Evaluation for Multi-Link Cable-Driven Robots With Minimal Number of Actuating Cables

A multi-link cable-driven robot (MCDR) usually has a large number of redundant actuating cables due to its modular cable routing scheme. To reduce the number of actuating cables while keeping the advantages of the modular MCDRs, a hybrid modular cable routing method is proposed, in which some actuating cables are co-shared by adjacent cable-driven joints. Consequently, the total number of actuating cables can be reduced to n+1 for an n-degree-of-freedom (n-DOF) MCDR. Focusing on MCDRs composed of identical 2-DOF cable-driven universal joint modules, the performance of the MCDR with the hybrid modular cable routing scheme is evaluated. It is concluded that: 1) the wrench-closure workspace of an MCDR with the hybrid modular cable routing scheme remains unchanged compared to the conventional modular cable routing scheme; 2) the maximal joint speed is inversely proportional to the total number of joint modules that co-share one actuating cable; and 3) the loading capability of an MCDR is a monotone decreasing function of the number of co-shared actuating cables. To verify the conclusions obtained, computer simulations are conducted on an MCDR with different cable routing schemes. Besides, the hybrid modular cable routing with alternatively co-shared actuating cables is an ideal cable routing scheme as it has the minimum loss of performance on motion speed and loading capability.

Microanalysis Using Acoustically Actuated Droplets Pinned Onto a Thread

An acoustic wave-assisted microscale assay platform is demonstrated. Liquid droplets containing samples and reagents are dispensed and pinned onto a hydrophobic thread, and actuated by sound waves. The transport of droplets is achieved by modulating sound emitted by two sources. The resulting sound intensity gradient pushes the droplets in one direction. The available distance of droplet actuation is related to droplet size. The moving droplets merge at the end of their actuation range, and the merged droplet travels further due to its greater size. Fluorometric analysis of the merged droplet is accomplished by positioning an excitation light source above a defined interrogation zone along the thread. The emitted light is analyzed by a miniature spectrometer positioned orthogonally to the excitation light beam. The sound sources and detection system are controlled by universal electronic modules (Raspberry Pi, Arduino). The system is operated automatically with the aid of a custom-developed graphical user interface. Here, we demonstrate its application in enzyme assays (trypsin, β-galactosidase). In-droplet enzymatic reaction progress curves are readily obtained. The actuated droplets can be put in motion and stopped without a significant delay. Only microliter-range volumes of sample and reagent are consumed in every analysis, while sub-milliliter volumes of chemical waste are produced.

ЛИНГВОРИТОРИЧЕСКАЯ ПАРАДИГМА КАК ИНТЕГРАТИВНЫЙ ПОДХОД В ФИЛОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ НАУКЕ» (ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ПРЕДПОСЫЛКИ)

В статье охарактеризованы теоретические предпосылки возникновения и развития инновационной лингвориторической (ЛР) парадигмы как интегративного подхода в филологической науке, который правомерно постулировать в качестве универсального модуля исследований любых феноменов коммуникативной и речемыслительной природы – текста, дискурса, литературного произведения, коммуникации, различных видов информационных, коммуникативных и дискурсивных процессов полиэтносоциокультурно-образовательного пространства (ПЭСКОП).

Sub-1 GHz Wireless Nodes Performance Evaluation for Intelligent Greenhouse System

Greenhouses provide not only solution to problems faced by conventional farming systems but also play an important role to improve the energy efficiency and environmentally friendly awareness. To achieve benefits of greenhouse farming system in terms of energy efficiency, research related to this issue have been done by many researchers. However, resources that concern on how to practically implement the particular energy-saving technology for greenhouses need to be improved. In this research, field experiment results related to low-power communication between nodes have been reported by implementing universal prototype modules. The pros and cons of existing communication technology, the proposed architecture of network and module analysis, and the performance evaluation of the proposed module dedicated to intelligent greenhouse farming system were also discussed.

On the universal mod p supersingular quotients for GL2(F) over [formula omitted] for a general [formula omitted

Let F/Qp be a finite extension. We explore the universal supersingular mod p representations of GL2(F) by computing a basis for their spaces of invariants under the pro-p Iwahori subgroup. This generalizes works of Breuil and Schein (from Qp and the totally ramified cases to an arbitrary extension F/Qp). Using these results we then construct, for an unramified F/Qp, quotients of the universal supersingular modules which have as quotients all the supersingular representations of GL2(F) with a GL2(OF)-socle that is expected to appear in the mod p local Langlands correspondence. A construction in the case of an extension of Qp with inertia degree 2 and suitable ramification index is also presented.

Design of Universal PCIe Interface Module Based on Vs

Due to wide variety of interfaces and complex bus protocols, the general detection system has problems such as high bus usage threshold and poor portability of the host computer software, which greatly reduces the user’s development efficiency of the detection system. In response to the issue, this paper designs a universal interface module for PCIe based on vs. The module provides unified functional interfaces, through which the data transmission of all bus devices can be easily and reliably controlled. In this paper, the design idea of the universal interface module is explained. Finally, the module is illustrated and the result shows that the designed scheme is feasible.

On Fitting Ideals of Kahler Differential Module

Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, and R / I and S / J be algebras over k . Ω 1 ( R / I ) and Ω 1 ( S / J ) denote universal module of first order derivation over k . The main result of this paper asserts that the first nonzero Fitting ideal Ω 1 ( R / I ⊗ k S / J ) is an invertible ideal, if the first nonzero Fitting ideals Ω 1 ( R / I ) and Ω 1 ( S / J ) are invertible ideals. Then using this result, we conclude that the projective dimension of Ω 1 ( R / I ⊗ k S / J ) is less than or equal to one.

Modular engineering to increase intracellular NAD(H/+) promotes rate of extracellular electron transfer of Shewanella oneidensis

The slow rate of extracellular electron transfer (EET) of electroactive microorganisms remains a primary bottleneck that restricts the practical applications of bioelectrochemical systems. Intracellular NAD(H/+) (i.e., the total level of NADH and NAD+) is a crucial source of the intracellular electron pool from which intracellular electrons are transferred to extracellular electron acceptors via EET pathways. However, how the total level of intracellular NAD(H/+) impacts the EET rate in Shewanella oneidensis has not been established. Here, we use a modular synthetic biology strategy to redirect metabolic flux towards NAD+ biosynthesis via three modules: de novo, salvage, and universal biosynthesis modules in S. oneidensis MR-1. The results demonstrate that an increase in intracellular NAD(H/+) results in the transfer of more electrons from the increased oxidation of the electron donor to the EET pathways of S. oneidensis, thereby enhancing intracellular electron flux and the EET rate.