Article
Quantum Science & Technology
Meng-Xi Wang, Hong-Mei Yang, Dong-Huan Jiang, Bin Yan, Jeng-Shyang Pan, Tao Liu
Summary: A novel quantum color image steganography scheme based on turtle shell and least significant bit (LSB) replacement is proposed in this study. The scheme introduces the human vision system (HVS) model and check codes to improve visual quality and security, and experimental results show that it has superior performance in imperceptibility, embedding capacity, and security.
QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zheng-yang Li, Zhen-bing Cai, Teng Zhou, Xue-jun Cui, Min-hao Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the impact response, energy absorption, and damage characteristics of a new bionic composite coating (BCC) in low-speed impact conditions. The results show that the BCC has lower peak force and higher energy absorption, indicating its effectiveness in resisting impact and reducing damage.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS ENGINEERING AND PERFORMANCE
(2023)
Article
Management
Kai Wegrich
Summary: This article examines the traditional characteristics of public management reforms in Germany and recent developments in administrative reforms. It also explores the challenges of achieving substantive change through incrementalism in the digitalization field, as well as the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis on public management reforms.
PUBLIC MANAGEMENT REVIEW
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tsung-Fu Hung, Po-Jan Kuo, Fung-Shi Tsai, Pin-Huan Yu, Yu-Shin Nai
Summary: This report describes the application of 3D scanning, computer-aided design (CAD), and 3D printing in making a protective device for rescuing wild animals. The integration of multiple sciences to 3D technology provides a model for veterinary medical applications. The use of new technology can save severely injured wild animals and reduce the need for intensive medication.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andrea Guerrero, Adan Perez-Garcia
Summary: The study focused on several shell anomalies in P. bullockii, identifying and examining 14 specimens with anomalies to determine the frequency and distribution of these anatomical deviations. All anomalies were described, figured, and discussed for their morphogenetic causes, and it was concluded that these anomalies did not present negative consequences for the vital activities of the specimens.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Hain, Tatiana Gallego-Flores, Michaela Klinkmann, Angeles Macias, Elena Ciirdaeva, Anja Arends, Christina Thum, Georgi Tushev, Friedrich Kretschmer, Maria Antonietta Tosches, Gilles Laurent
Summary: The existence of evolutionarily conserved regions in the vertebrate brain is well established, but the rules and constraints underlying the evolution of neuron types remain poorly understood. By comparing neuron types across brain regions and species, both conserved and divergent neuron types were identified. The diversification of thalamic neurons is correlated with the evolution of the cortex, indicating that developmental origin and circuit allocation play a role in neuronal identity and evolution.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Chia-Chen Lin, Xiaolong Liu, JianJie Zhou, Chuan Yi Tang
Summary: In this paper, a fragile watermarking scheme based on turtle shell algorithm and absolute moment block truncation coding (AMBTC) is proposed for image authentication and tamper recovery. The scheme embeds recovery bits and validation bits into pixel pairs of the image using a two-layer turtle shell data hiding algorithm. The AMBTC-based recovery bits are utilized for tampering recovery, and the CRC-based validation bits are used for detecting tampered blocks.
MULTIMEDIA TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Stephen P. Finch, Michael D. D'Emic
Summary: A study found that there is no relationship between body mass and daily dentine apposition rate (DDAR) in non-ever-growing teeth of amniotes. Other factors such as metabolic rate, number of tooth generations, diet, and habitat also do not predict or correspond with DDARs. Large terrestrial mammals, dinosaurs, and marine reptiles have similar DDARs, while primates, cetaceans, and some smaller marine reptiles have independently evolved exceptionally slow rates. Life-history factors may explain the evolution of dentine apposition rates.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shufan Xia, Yao Li, Pengtao You, Chunling Hu
Summary: Turtle shell, a residue from Pelodiscus sinensis, has been widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for hepatic fibrosis therapy. Previous studies have shown that peptides derived from turtle shells are effective components. In this study, a combination of pepsin and trypsin was used to hydrolyze the protein of turtle shells, and the resulting hydrolysates demonstrated the highest anti-liver fibrosis activity. The peptides were then separated, purified, and analyzed, with two novel peptides displaying potential as anti-liver fibrosis agents.
Article
Mechanics
Zhilong Peng, Weijun Feng, Jiawei Huang, Peiran Li, Shaohua Chen
Summary: The suture in a turtle shell is an important structural feature that affects both the physiology and mechanical performance of the shell. This study characterizes the morphologies and constructing features of the turtle shell suture and elucidates its effect on the mechanical behaviors of the shell in wet and dry conditions. The suture exhibits hierarchical microstructures and is constructed by interdigitating pyramid-like bony teeth. The presence of the suture endows the turtle shell with flexibility, toughness, and larger deformation. The fracture modes of wet and dry samples differ, with wet samples failing along the suture and dry samples failing along the suture with bony tooth fracturing. The findings deepen the understanding of the hierarchical microstructures of turtle shell and have implications for bio-inspired protective structure design.
ENGINEERING FRACTURE MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Haonan Chen, Xiping Lei, Ting Yu, Jing Liu, Kai Fan
Summary: By introducing turtle shell derived biomass activated carbon with hierarchical porous structure as a substrate, the electrical conductivity and interface contact of Ni(OH)2 can be improved, and the transport of electrolyte ions can be accelerated. The stacking during Ni(OH)2 growth is attenuated, exposing more active sites, resulting in faster and more complete redox reaction. Therefore, Ni(OH)2/TSHC-5 shows significantly higher specific capacitance and cycling performance compared to Ni(OH)2, making it a promising electrode material for energy storage and energy conversion applications.
Article
Biology
Abby Beatty, Alexander M. Rubin, Haruka Wada, Britt Heidinger, Wendy R. Hood, Tonia S. Schwartz
Summary: Calls for research on IGF2 in adult animals due to its important role in the insulin-like signalling network, which has been largely neglected in previous studies. Extensive survey and experimental evidence demonstrate the widespread presence of IGF2 in amniotes, often with higher relative expression than IGF1.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
David P. Ford, Susan E. Evans, Jonah N. Choiniere, Vincent Fernandez, Roger B. J. Benson
Summary: Lepidosaurs, including lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians, and tuatara, form a diverse group with a long evolutionary history. Paliguana whitei from the Early Triassic of South Africa is identified as the earliest known stem-lepidosaur, providing insights into their cranial evolution. The study reveals that characteristics of pleurodont dental implantation evolved early on the lepidosaur stem-lineage, while key functional traits related to hearing and feeding evolved later in the lepidosaur crown-group.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chun-Chi Chen, Ming-Ching Kao, Meng- Kuo, Chao-Jung Chen, Cheng-Hsun Jao, Yongcheol Lee, Jung-Feng Hsieh
Summary: The effects of TGase, reductant, and thermal treatment on the cross-linking of white proteins in soft-shell turtle eggs were studied. Denatured proteins, after pretreatment with reductant and thermal treatment, were more susceptible to cross-linking induced by TGase.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Adan Perez-Garcia
Summary: A new pleurodiran turtle, identified as attributable to Bothremydidae, is described from an Upper Cretaceous outcrop in Southwestern Niger. The unique features of Abalakemys chapmanae gen. et sp. nov. include an almost complete large shell, an exclusive ornamental pattern on the plate's outer surface, small fourth pleural scutes, and a noticeably wedged posterior plastral lobe. This turtle could belong to Nigeremydini, a poorly understood lineage of Bothremydodda that inhabited the African Trans-Saharan seaway, with limited shell information available.