Image Retrieval with Random Bubbles

In this work we propose an algorithm for content based im−age retrieval based on random selection of circular bubbles on the reference image. More specifically, an image finger−print vector is extracted from the image, the components of which are simple statistical parameters associated to the luminance values in some selected circular areas of the im−age. The positions and radius of these bubbles result from a random selection, with characteristics defined by the user. In this way, the extracted fingerprint is very robust with respect to linear and nonlinear distortion of the image. Experiments based on the detection of various linearly and nonlinearly distorted versions of a test image in a large database have shown very promising results

Gaze Embeddings for Zero-Shot Image Classification

Zero-shot image classification using auxiliary information, such as attributes describing discriminative object properties, requires time-consuming annotation by domain experts. We instead propose a method that relies on human gaze as auxiliary information, exploiting that even non-expert users have a natural ability to judge class membership. We present a data collection paradigm that involves a discrimination task to increase the information content obtained from gaze data. Our method extracts discriminative descriptors from the data and learns a compatibility function between image and gaze using three novel gaze embeddings: Gaze Histograms (GH), Gaze Features with Grid (GFG) and Gaze Features with Sequence (GFS). We introduce two new gaze-annotated datasets for fine-grained image classification and show that human gaze data is indeed class discriminative, provides a competitive alternative to expert-annotated attributes, and outperforms other baselines for zero-shot image classification

Effective Image Fingerprint Extraction Based on Random Bubble Sampling

In this paper we propose an algorithm for image fingerprint extraction based on random selection of circular bubbles on the considered image. In more detail, a fingerprint vector is associated to the image, the components of which are the variances of pixel luminance values in randomly selected circular zones of the image. The positions and radius of these bubbles result from a random selection, whose parameters are user-defined. The obtained fingerprint has then been used for content-based image retrieval, using the standard euclidean distance as similarity metric between the extracted features. Experiments based on the detection of various linearly and nonlinearly distorted versions of a test image in a large database show very promising results

In situ correction of liquid meniscus in cell culture imaging system based on parallel Fourier ptychographic microscopy (96 Eyes)

We collaborated with Amgen and spent five years in designing and fabricating next generation multi-well plate imagers based on Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM). A 6-well imager (Emsight) and a low-cost parallel microscopic system (96 Eyes) based on parallel FPM were reported in our previous work. However, the effect of liquid meniscus on the image quality is much stronger than anticipated, introducing obvious wavevector misalignment and additional image aberration. To this end, an adaptive wavevector correction (AWC-FPM) algorithm and a pupil recovery improvement strategy are presented to solve these challenges in situ. In addition, dual-channel fluorescence excitation is added to obtain structural information for microbiologists. Experiments are demonstrated to verify their performances. The accuracy of angular resolution with our algorithm is within 0.003 rad. Our algorithms would make the FPM algorithm more robust and practical and can be extended to other FPM-based applications to overcome similar challenges

A New Video authentication Template Based on Bubble random Sampling

The rapid growth of digital video distribution has highlighted new important issues in digital rights management, as well as in other important applications such as video authentication. Digital watermarking offers a promising solution against piracy and it is therefore a very active area of research. However, robustness to video manipulations, either malicious or not, is a demanding task because there are many different types of possible attacks that can be envisioned. Among these, geometric and temporal distortions play the major roles. The countermeasures against these specific attacks are still an open challenge. In this paper we propose the use of a video authentication template based on bubble random sampling. The authentication template is introduced in order to ensure temporal synchronization and to prevent content tampering. The simulation results are encouraging and this approach is therefore worth further development efforts

Influence of smectite suspension structure on sheet orientation in dry sediments: XRD and AFM applications

The structure-building phenomena within clay aggregates are governed by forces acting between clay particles. Measurements of such forces are important to understand in order to manipulate the aggregate structure for applications such as dewatering of mineral processing tailings. A parallel particle orientation is required when conducting XRD investigation on the oriented samples and conduct force measurements acting between basal planes of clay mineral platelets using at. force microscopy (AFM). To investigate how smectite clay platelets were oriented on silicon wafer substrate when dried from suspension range of methods like SEM, XRD and AFM were employed. From these investigations, we conclude that high clay concns. and larger particle diams. (up to 5 μm) in suspension result in random orientation of platelets in the substrate. The best possible laminar orientation in the clay dry film, represented in the XRD 0 0 1/0 2 0 intensity ratio of 47 was obtained by drying thin layers from 0.02 wt.% clay suspensions of the natural pH. Conducted AFM investigations show that smectite studied in water based electrolytes show very long-range repulsive forces lower in strength than electrostatic forces from double-layer repulsion. It was suggested that these forces may have structural nature. Smectite surface layers rehydrate in water environment forms surface gel with spongy and cellular texture which cushion approaching AFM probe. This structural effect can be measured in distances larger than 1000 nm from substrate surface and when probe penetrate this gel layer, structural linkages are forming between substrate and clay covered probe. These linkages prevent subsequently smooth detachments of AFM probe on way back when retrieval. This effect of tearing new formed structure apart involves larger adhesion-like forces measured in retrieval. It is also suggested that these effect may be enhanced by the nano-clay particles interaction

Conceptual design for the Space Station Freedom fluid physics/dynamics facility

A study team at NASA's Lewis Research Center has been working on a definition study and conceptual design for a fluid physics and dynamics science facility that will be located in the Space Station Freedom's baseline U.S. Laboratory module. This modular, user-friendly facility, called the Fluid Physics/Dynamics Facility, will be available for use by industry, academic, and government research communities in the late 1990's. The Facility will support research experiments dealing with the study of fluid physics and dynamics phenomena. Because of the lack of gravity-induced convection, research into the mechanisms of fluids in the absence of gravity will help to provide a better understanding of the fundamentals of fluid processes. This document has been prepared as a final version of the handout for reviewers at the Fluid Physics/Dynamics Facility Assessment Workshop held at Lewis on January 24 and 25, 1990. It covers the background, current status, and future activities of the Lewis Project Study Team effort. It is a revised and updated version of a document entitled 'Status Report on the Conceptual Design for the Space Station Fluid Physics/Dynamics Facility', dated January 1990