Single-shot layered reflectance separation using a polarized light field camera

We present a novel computational photography technique for single shot separation of diffuse/specular reflectance as well as novel angular domain separation of layered reflectance. Our solution consists of a two-way polarized light field (TPLF) camera which simultaneously captures two orthogonal states of polarization. A single photograph of a subject acquired with the TPLF camera under polarized illumination then enables standard separation of diffuse (depolarizing) and polarization preserving specular reflectance using light field sampling. We further demonstrate that the acquired data also enables novel angular separation of layered reflectance including separation of specular reflectance and single scattering in the polarization preserving component, and separation of shallow scattering from deep scattering in the depolarizing component. We apply our approach for efficient acquisition of facial reflectance including diffuse and specular normal maps, and novel separation of photometric normals into layered reflectance normals for layered facial renderings. We demonstrate our proposed single shot layered reflectance separation to be comparable to an existing multi-shot technique that relies on structured lighting while achieving separation results under a variety of illumination conditions

Optimization of Cricket-inspired, Biomimetic Artificial Hair Sensors for Flow Sensing

High density arrays of artificial hair sensors, biomimicking the extremely sensitive mechanoreceptive filiform hairs found on cerci of crickets have been fabricated successfully. We assess the sensitivity of these artificial sensors and present a scheme for further optimization addressing the deteriorating effects of stress in the structures. We show that, by removing a portion of chromium electrodes close to the torsional beams, the upward lift at the edges of the membrane due to the stress, will decrease hence increase the sensitivity.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/EDA-Publishing

The primitive cohomology of theta divisors

The primitive cohomology of the theta divisor of a principally polarized abelian variety of dimension $g$ is a Hodge structure of level $g-3$. The Hodge conjecture predicts that it is contained in the image, under the Abel-Jacobi map, of the cohomology of a family of curves in the theta divisor. We survey some of the results known about this primitive cohomology, prove a few general facts and mention some interesting open problems.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the conference on Hodge Theory and Classical Algebraic Geometry at the Ohio State University, May 201

Biomimetic flow-sensor arrays based on the filiform hairs on the cerci of crickets

In this paper we report on the latest developments in biomimetic flow-sensors based on the flow sensitive mechano-sensors of crickets. Crickets have one form of acoustic sensing evolved in the form of mechanoreceptive sensory hairs. These filiform hairs are highly perceptive to low-frequency sound with energy sensitivities close to thermal threshold. Arrays of artificial hair sensors have been fabricated using a surface micromachining technology to form suspended silicon nitride membranes and double-layer SU-8 processing to form 1 mm long hairs. Previously, we have shown that these hairs are sensitive to low-frequency sound, using a laser vibrometer setup to detect the movements of the nitride membranes. We have now realized readout electronics to detect the movements capacitively, using electrodes integrated on the membranes

The association between accruals and stock return following IFRS3

The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between accruals and stock return and further the quality of accounting accruals shown in financial statements for shareholders to predict their future returns. This study uses an inimitable location which is provided by FRS3 in the UK to highlight the well-documented accrual anomaly as important components of financial performance to help the users to understand the archived performance of a firm. Specifically, this paper focuses on the accrual anomaly phenomenon in the UK on the adoption of FRS No. 3 for a period from 2008 to 2017. Our result shows that stock returns can be predicted by accruals attributable to accounting misrepresentations. Generally, our findings support the information disclosure due to FRS No. 3. Also, the results are consistent with increased accounting disclosure to help investors protect themselves from inefficiencies and to encourage them to be aware of accurate stock prices in the market

Making Waves in the Brain: What Are Oscillations, and Why Modulating Them Makes Sense for Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in persistent cognitive, behavioral and emotional deficits. However, the vast majority of patients are not chronically hospitalized; rather they have to manage their disabilities once they are discharged to home. Promoting recovery to pre-injury level is important from a patient care as well as a societal perspective. Electrical neuromodulation is one approach that has shown promise in alleviating symptoms associated with neurological disorders such as in Parkinson's disease (PD) and epilepsy. Consistent with this perspective, both animal and clinical studies have revealed that TBI alters physiological oscillatory rhythms. More recently several studies demonstrated that low frequency stimulation improves cognitive outcome in models of TBI. Specifically, stimulation of the septohippocampal circuit in the theta frequency entrained oscillations and improved spatial learning following TBI. In order to evaluate the potential of electrical deep brain stimulation for clinical translation we review the basic neurophysiology of oscillations, their role in cognition and how they are changed post-TBI. Furthermore, we highlight several factors for future pre-clinical and clinical studies to consider, with the hope that it will promote a hypothesis driven approach to subsequent experimental designs and ultimately successful translation to improve outcome in patients with TBI

The Financial Consequences of Servitization in Manufacturing Firms: An Empirical Analysis

Prior body of servitization research falls short to fully capture the financial consequences of servitization. This paper aims at investigating the financial consequences of servitization in listed manufacturing companies in four countries, namely UK, USA, Germany and China. By means of secondary data obtained from Worldscope database, regression models will be developed to compare servitized and non-servitized manufacturing firms in the aforementioned countries. This study contributes to the current understanding of the financial consequences in the transition towards service provision and aims to enhance managerial decision-making processes regarding servitization by comparing different contexts and countries

Optimization Of Bio-inspired Hair Sensor Arrays

Crickets use a pair of hairy appendages on their abdomen called cerci, each of which contains numerous mechano-receptive filiform hairs. These sensitive hairs can respond even to the slightest air movements, down to 0.03 mm/s, generated by the approaching predators and initiating an escape mechanism in the crickets. Bio-mimicking the cricket cerci, arrays of artificial hair sensors have been successfully fabricated using advanced MEMS techniques. Despite its appreciable performance, the actual cricket filiform hairs outperform artificial hair sensors by several orders in sensitivity. Nevertheless, more careful look at the anatomy and physiology of the cricket cerci provides new directions to be explored with MEMS technologies to realize higher sensitivities on a par with crickets’. This paper aims to provide an overview of comparisons between the actual and artificial hair sensors in terms of sensitivity, structural functionalities and robustness and draws out constructive insights to optimize sensor performance