An improved tamper detection and localization scheme for volumetric DICOM images.

The development of teleradiology brings the convenience of global medical record access along with the concerns over the security of medical images transmitted over the open network. With the prevailing adoption of three-dimensional (3-D) imaging modalities, it is vital to develop a security mechanism to provide large volumes of medical images with privacy and reliability. This paper presents the development of a new and improved method of implementing tamper detection and localization based on a fully reversible digital watermarking scheme for the protection of volumetric DICOM images. This tamper detection and localization method utilizes the 3-D property of volumetric data to achieve much faster processing time at both sender and receiver sides without compromising tamper localization accuracy. The performance of the proposed scheme was evaluated by using sample volumetric DICOM images. Results show that the scheme achieved on average about 65 % and 72 % reduction in watermarking and dewatermarking processing time, respectively. For cases where the images had been tampered, it is possible to detect and localize the tampered areas with improved localization resolution in the images using the scheme.

Family and Psychosocial Functioning in Bipolar Disorder: The Mediating Effects of Social Support, Resilience and Suicidal Ideation.

Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) may experience family dysfunction, which might result in worse psychosocial functioning through environmental and psychological factors. Research investigating the mediating role of social support, resilience and suicidal ideation on family and psychosocial functioning in BD is rare. The study aims to explore the predicting and mediating effects of social support, resilience and suicidal ideation on family and psychosocial functioning in BD patients. Two hundred forty-six patients with BD and sixty-nine healthy controls were recruited. The Family Assessment Device (FAD), Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI) were used to assess family functioning, psychosocial functioning, social support, resilience and suicidal ideation, respectively. Bipolar patients exhibited worse family and psychosocial functioning than healthy controls. Family functioning, social support, resilience and suicidal ideation significantly predict psychosocial functioning in the bipolar group. Social support, resilience and suicidal ideation indirectly mediate the effect of family functioning on psychosocial functioning in bipolar patients. Cross-sectional design and mixed sample including acute and remitted stages. Treatments for patients with bipolar disorder should be combined with family strategies that are formulated to improve psychosocial functioning. An emphasis should be placed on enhancing social support and resilience while paying attention to suicidal ideation.

Interfacial Mechanical Properties of Double-Layer Graphene with Consideration of the Effect of Stacking Mode.

The mechanical performance and the effect of the stacking mode of the double-layer graphene interface are studied. Three kinds of double-layer graphene-PET composite structure specimens with different stacking methods are designed. By combining micro-Raman spectroscopy with a microtensile loading device, in situ and real-time measurements are carried out for the specimens during the uniaxial loading process. Based on mechanical analysis, a method for peak splitting of the Raman spectra of double-layer polycrystalline graphene is developed to extract the strain information for each layer of graphene. The strain distribution and shear stress distribution of graphene in each layer during the loading process are determined experimentally. The strain transfer between the two interfaces is analyzed, and the mechanical parameters of interfaces are given quantitatively, the interlayer shear stress of graphene is 0.084 MPa. Finally, double-layer graphene with different stacking modes is studied. The results show that the different lengths of the upper and lower layers of graphene lead to a stress concentration of 0.7-1 GPa at the boundary of the short layer of graphene when stacked. The stress concentration problem of double-layer graphene should be considered for the practical application in microelectrical components.

[Effects of eye acupuncture on SEPCT-determined cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebral infarction].

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To verify the correlation between the points of eye acupuncture and zang-fu function so as to provide the theoretical evidence for the principle of point selection in eye acupuncture therapy. METHODS: Sixty cases of cerebral infarction were treated with different points according to syndrome differentiation of Chinese medicine. MAIN POINTS: upper energizer area and lower energizer area. Supplementary points: liver area, kidney area and spleen area for hyperactivity of wind, phlegm and fire; liver area and spleen area for blockage of wind, phlegm and stasis; stomach area and large intestine area for excess fu syndrome due to phlegm heat; heart area and spleen area for qi deficiency and blood stasis; liver area and kidney area for yin deficiency and wind stirring. The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was adopted to observe the changes in blood flow in local foci before and after treatment with eye acupuncture. RESULTS: After the treatment with eye acupuncture therapy, the intake ratio of region of interest (ROI) between the lesion area and corresponding area on the opposite side was 0.74 +/- 0.12 before eye acupuncture and was 0.91 +/- 0.08 after treatment, indicating significant statistical difference in comparison (P < 0.05). After eye acupuncture, cerebral blood flow increased apparently. CONCLUSION: The point selection according to syndrome differentiation in eye acupuncture therapy may increase local brain blood flow in the patients with cerebral infarction and improve the state of brain ischemia so that the correlation can be proved between the points of eye acupuncture and zang-fu function.