DeepFuse: A Deep Unsupervised Approach for Exposure Fusion with Extreme Exposure Image Pairs

We present a novel deep learning architecture for fusing static multi-exposure images. Current multi-exposure fusion (MEF) approaches use hand-crafted features to fuse input sequence. However, the weak hand-crafted representations are not robust to varying input conditions. Moreover, they perform poorly for extreme exposure image pairs. Thus, it is highly desirable to have a method that is robust to varying input conditions and capable of handling extreme exposure without artifacts. Deep representations have known to be robust to input conditions and have shown phenomenal performance in a supervised setting. However, the stumbling block in using deep learning for MEF was the lack of sufficient training data and an oracle to provide the ground-truth for supervision. To address the above issues, we have gathered a large dataset of multi-exposure image stacks for training and to circumvent the need for ground truth images, we propose an unsupervised deep learning framework for MEF utilizing a no-reference quality metric as loss function. The proposed approach uses a novel CNN architecture trained to learn the fusion operation without reference ground truth image. The model fuses a set of common low level features extracted from each image to generate artifact-free perceptually pleasing results. We perform extensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation and show that the proposed technique outperforms existing state-of-the-art approaches for a variety of natural images.Comment: ICCV 201

Dihedral Families of Quarks, Leptons and Higgs Bosons

We consider finite groups of small order for family symmetry. It is found that the binary dihedral group Q_6, along with the assumption that the Higgs sector is of type II, predicts mass matrix of a nearest neighbor interaction type for quarks and leptons. We present a supersymmetric model based on Q_6 with spontaneously induced CP phases. The quark sector contains 8 real parameters with one independent phase to describe the quark masses and their mixing. Predictions in the |V_{ub}|-bar{eta}, |V_{ub}|-sin 2 beta(phi_1) and |V_{ub}|-|V_{td}/V_{ts}| planes are given. The lepton sector contains also 9 parameters. A normal as well as an inverted spectrum of neutrino masses is possible, and we compute V_{e3}. We find that |V_{e3}|^2 > 10^{-4} in the case of a normal spectrum, and |V_{e3}|^2 >8 10^{-4} in the case of an inverted spectrum. It is also found that Q_6 symmetry forbids all Baryon number violating terms of d=4, and the contributions to EDMs from the A terms vanish in this model.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figure

Recent direct measurement of the Top quark mass and quasi-infrared fixed point

We note that the recent direct measurement of the top quark mass at $173.3 \pm 5.6 (stat) \pm 6.2 (syst)$ by D0 collaboration severely constrains the theoretically attractive infra-red fixed point scenario of the top quark Yukawa coupling in supersymmetric GUTs. For one-step unified models the above mentioned measurement bounds the arbitrary but experimentally determinable parameter $\tan \beta$ to the range $1.3 \le \tan \beta \le 2.1$. Further crunch on the top quark mass may determine $\tan \beta$ even more accurately within the fixed point scenario. On the other hand an experimental value of $\tan \beta > 2.1$ will rule out the fixed point scenario bounding $h^2_t(M_X)/4 \pi$ to 0.022 from above.Comment: 7 pages, Latex with epsf style, 1 figure, captions.st

Eliminating the d=5 proton decay operators from SUSY GUTs

A general analysis is made of the question whether the d=5 proton decay operators coming from exchange of colored Higgsinos can be completely eliminated in a natural way in supersymmetric grand unified models. It is shown that they can indeed be in SO(10) while at the same time naturally solving the doublet-triplet splitting problem, having only two light Higgs doublets, and using no more than a single adjoint Higgs field. Accomplishing all of this requires that the vacuum expectation value of the adjoint Higgs field be proportional to the generator I_{3R} rather than to B-L, as is usually assumed. It is shown that such models can give realistic quark and lepton masses. We also point out a new mechanism for solving the \mu problem in the context of SO(10) SUSY GUTs.Comment: 24 pages in LaTeX, with 3 figure

Role of Hyperspectral imaging for Precision Agriculture Monitoring

In the modern era precision agriculture has started emerging as a new revolution. Remote sensing is generally regarded as one of the most important techniques for agricultural monitoring at multiple spatiotemporal scales. This has expanded from traditional systems such as imaging systems, agricultural monitoring, atmospheric science, geology and defense to a variety of newly developing laboratory-based measurements. The development of hyperspectral imaging systems has taken precision agriculture a step further. Because of the spectral range limit of multispectral imagery, the detection of minute changes in materials is significantly lacking, this shortcoming can be overcome by hyperspectral sensors and prove useful in many agricultural applications. Recently, various emerging platforms also popularized hyperspectral remote sensing technology, however, it comes with the complexity of data storage and processing. This article provides a detailed overview of hyperspectral remote sensing that can be used for better estimation in agricultural applications

Probabilistic Performance Index based Contingency Screening for Composite Power System Reliability Evaluation

Composite power system reliability involves assessing the adequacy of generation and transmission system to meet the demand at major system load points. Contingency selection was being the most tedious step in reliability evaluation of large electric systems. Contingency in power system might be a possible event in future which was not predicted with certainty in earlier research. Therefore, uncertainty may be inevitable in power system operation. Deterministic indices may not guarantee the randomness in reliability assessment. In order to account for volatility in contingencies, a new performance index proposed in the current research. Proposed method assimilates the uncertainty in computational procedure. Reliability test systems like Roy Billinton Test System-6 bus system and IEEE-24 bus reliability test systems were used to test the effectiveness of a proposed method