Sharif Digital Repository

We propose a blind image steganalysis method based on the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coefficients that are revisited in this work. We compute geometric mean, mean of log values, and statistical moments (mean, variance and skewness) of the SVDs of the DCT sub-blocks that are averaged over the whole image to construct a 480-element feature vector for steganalysis. These features are fed to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier to discriminate between stego and cover images. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms most powerful steganalyzers when applied to some well-known steganography algorithms  

The formation of biomimetic bone-like apatite layers throughout the biopolymer-based hydrogel scaffold is an attractive approach in bone tissue engineering. Here, the starch scaffold was prepared using a combination of particulate leaching and freeze-drying techniques. The fabricated structures were then modified by citric acid to investigate the formation of bone-like apatite layer on the porous citrate-based scaffold after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF). The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns revealed that the B-type carbonated apatite has successfully deposited on the scaffold after immersing in SBF for 28 days. Indeed, high chemical... 

Everyday, people share their digital media on the virtual networks; therefore, protecting them against piracy is worthy of consideration. Digital watermarking is a method to achieve this goal. In this paper, we propose a watermarking method in Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) domain. For this purpose, DCT coefficients of the whole image are calculated. It helps to present a system without blockiness effects. Then, singular values of the watermark image are added to the low frequency DCT coefficients of cover image that are located on the main diagonal. We use scaling factors for watermark embedding to improve imperceptibility of the watermark. A vector of fixed elements, which is calculated... 

Evaluation of spinal loads in patients with low back pain (LBP) is essential to prevent further lumbar disorders. Many studies have investigated the relationship between lifting task variables and lumbar spine loads during manual lifting activities. The nature of the external load (stable versus unstable loads) is an important variable that has received less attention. Therefore, the present study aimed to measure trunk kinematics and estimate compressive-shear loads on the lumbar spine under lifting a 120 N stable load and 120 ± 13.63 N sensual unstable load in 16 healthy and 16 non-specific LBP individuals during lifting activities. The maximal lumbar loads were estimated using a... 

This paper presents a novel profit-based model for multistage distribution network expansion planning. In the proposed model, some capabilities of the distribution automation system are considered to achieve a plan that is more compatible with the strategic plan towards a smart distribution grid. Moreover, a method for reliability evaluation of a distribution network in the planning studies is proposed. The objective function of the planning problem is the net present value of the company's profit. The problem is solved by employing the genetic algorithm approach as a promising technique in solving the mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem. The proposed method is evaluated on an... 

The present study aimed to propose a theoretical framework that elucidates the impact of supply chain management (SCM) practices on the competitive advantage and performance of firms while considering the mediating effects of supply chain innovation and total quality management (TQM). This research article employed a descriptive correlational methodology based on a questionnaire, complemented by structural equation modelling. The study involved the participation of 279 individuals, including managers, assistants, and supply chain experts from small and medium-sized enterprises. The study findings suggest that SCM practices significantly influence TQM, supply chain innovation, competitive... 

In this paper, we present a novel structure of a snake-like robot. This structure enables passive locomotion in snake-like robots. Dynamic equations are obtained for motion in a horizontal plane, using Gibbs-Appell method. Kinematic model of the robot include numerous nonholonomic constraints, which can be omitted at the beginning by choosing proper coordinates to describe the model in Gibbs-Appell framework. In such a case, dynamic equations will be significantly simplified, resulting in considerable reduction of simulation time. Simulation results show that, by proper selection of initial conditions, joint angles operate in a limit cycle and robot can locomote steadily on a passive... 

Despite the importance of well-being, few studies have been conducted on the relationship between well-being and technology. In this paper, the development of technology from the perspective of well-being studies are divided into three generations. In higher generations, the main criterion of technology development becomes more comprehensive, in order to decrease the side effects of technology. We introduce the fourth generation in which well-being is the main criterion of the design process. Although it may not seem necessary to say that the purpose of most technologies is implicitly well-being, we show that the domination of physical pleasure in terms of “use and convenience” in the modern... 

Wind generated sea states are more accurately modeled by short-crested wave fields. Whether or not these short-crested waves can induce larger response amplitudes in floating offshore structures is of great concern to offshore engineers. In this paper, the hydrodynamics of a moored semisubmersible in short-crested wave fields is investigated. Morison-based motion equations with nonlinear damping terms are used to analyze the dynamic behavior of the structure. A generalized three-parameter short-crested wave field is introduced as the incident wave. The effect of transverse phase lag, wave propagation angle and different ratios of in-line and transverse wave numbers are studied on the force... 

Sheet-like NiCo2O4 and ZnCo2O4 spinels were prepared by metal-organic framework (MOF) as sacrificial template to derive into porous microwave absorber materials. The NiCo and ZnCo MOFs obtained by using 2-methylimidazole linker were decomposed to the sheet-like NiCo2O4 and ZnCo2O4 powders, respectively, with the similar specific surface area of 75 m2/g and the pore volume of 0.31 cm3/g. However, the NiCo2O4 and ZnCo2O4 absorbers had the distinct microwave absorption performance on account of their various physicochemical properties caused by the nature of Ni and Zn elements. From the practical viewpoint, the MOF-derived NiCo2O4 sample had the broader effective absorption bandwidth (>3 GHz)... 

Dilute Surfactant flooding has been recognized as one of the significant processes in chemical flooding. Many oil reservoirs became appropriate candidates for surfactant/water flooding when screening criteria was developed. Injected surfactant tried to mobilize the residual oil that was trapped in interstice. The main contributing mechanism to enhance oil recovery by surfactant flooding was defined as rock wettability alteration. Wettability is one of the substantial parameters to choose the best approach for a successful surfactant flooding in which tiny change in wettability will lead to improve oil recovery fundamentally. In this experimental study the effect of different aging time and... 

With the widespread internet usage, digital contents are easily distributed throughout the world. To eliminate concerns of producers and owners of digital contents, watermarking techniques are extensively being used. Robustness against intentional and unintentional attacks is a major quality of watermarking systems. Since different attacks tend to target different parts of the frequency spectrum, in this paper we propose a framework for blind watermarking which determines the type of attack that the image has gone through before extracting the watermark. Within this framework, we propose an attack classification method to identify the region of the frequency spectrum that is less damaged.... 

With the widespread internet usage, digital contents are easily distributed throughout the world. To eliminate concerns of producers and owners of digital contents, watermarking techniques are extensively being used. Robustness against intentional and unintentional attacks is a major quality of watermarking systems. Since different attacks tend to target different parts of the frequency spectrum, in this paper we propose a framework for blind watermarking which determines the type of attack that the image has gone through before extracting the watermark. Within this framework, we propose an attack classification method to identify the region of the frequency spectrum that is less damaged.... 

Planning of distribution networks is usually accomplished using a cost-based conventional model that minimizes the total cost of construction and reinforcement of substations and feeders. The resulted expansion plan designed by this cost-based model is not necessarily the best choice for an electrical distribution company (DISCO) in the nowadays deregulated structure. This happening is mainly due to the fact that the utility seeks to maximize its profit in this competitive environment. On the other hand, this model does not consider the upcoming new challenges ahead of distribution systems, such as smart grid and distribution automation technologies. This paper presents a novel profit-based... 

This paper presents mathematical modelling of joint lot sizing and scheduling problem in job shop environment under a set of working conditions. The main feature of the problem is to deal with flexible machines able to change their working speeds, known as process compressibility. Furthermore, produced items should be assembled together to make final products. In other words, the products have a multilevel structure, shown with bill of materials. As the problem is proved to be strongly NP-hard, it is solved by a memetic algorithm here. Computational experiences on the data of Mega Motor company are reported. Also, further experiences on random test data confirm the performance of the... 

Linear chains with intra-chain contacts can adopt different topologies and allow transitions between them, but it remains unclear how this process can be controlled. This question is important to systems ranging from proteins to chromosomes, which can adopt different conformations that are key to their function and toxicity. Here, we investigate how the topological dynamics of a simple linear chain is affected by interactions with a binding partner, using Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics simulations. We show that two point contacts with a binding partner are sufficient to accelerate or decelerate the formation of particular topologies within linear chains. Computed "folding-time... 

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the fundamental building blocks in measuring and monitoring processes of safety management. This chapter describes a classification of safety KPIs and a review of literature leads to a new framework. It aims to develop a logical selection and aggregation methodology for generating a single number that reflects safety performance. Determining a mechanism for performance measurement and monitoring is a key part of any management system, and this has a higher importance for total safety management. Personal safety deals with the prevention of occupational accidents that usually have low severities and high frequencies. The measurement of safety has been... 

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the fundamental building blocks in measuring and monitoring processes of safety management. This chapter describes a classification of safety KPIs and a review of literature leads to a new framework. It aims to develop a logical selection and aggregation methodology for generating a single number that reflects safety performance. Determining a mechanism for performance measurement and monitoring is a key part of any management system, and this has a higher importance for total safety management. Personal safety deals with the prevention of occupational accidents that usually have low severities and high frequencies. The measurement of safety has been... 

CO2 injection is a potentially viable method of enhanced oil recovery for medium oil reservoirs. The authors compare the effect of gas injection strategy (simultaneous water-alternating gas [SWAG], water-alternating gas [WAG], and continuous gas injection [CGI]) on recovery in immiscible, near-miscible, and miscible modes of injection. It has been proved that CGI is not the most efficient injection scenario in oil-wet reservoirs. Miscible and near-miscible core flood tests demonstrated high oil recoveries in all injection strategies due to high capillary numbers achieved as a result of miscibility. The fluid mechanics of floods were discussed using pressure drop data, different mechanics was... 

Vacuum residue cracking has been successfully conducted under supercritical water condition in presence of various metal oxide nanocalysts, namely NiO, CuO, ZnO, Co2O3, and Cr2O3 synthesized at supercritical water. The cracking experiments were carried out at 450 °C. Three species of cracking: maltene, asphaltene, and coke were then weighed and their corresponding speciation was defined. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis (CHNS) tests were utilized to prove the performance of upgrading reactions. It was revealed that NiO showed the best performance among other catalyst, in which...