11,598 research outputs found
Exploiting Data Parallelism in the yConvex Hypergraph Algorithm for Image Representation using GPGPUs
To define and identify a region-of-interest (ROI) in a digital image, the
shape descriptor of the ROI has to be described in terms of its boundary
characteristics. To address the generic issues of contour tracking, the yConvex
Hypergraph (yCHG) model was proposed by Kanna et al [1]. In this work, we
propose a parallel approach to implement the yCHG model by exploiting massively
parallel cores of NVIDIA's Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA). We
perform our experiments on the MODIS satellite image database by NASA, and
based on our analysis we observe that the performance of the serial
implementation is better on smaller images, but once the threshold is achieved
in terms of image resolution, the parallel implementation outperforms its
sequential counterpart by 2 to 10 times (2x-10x). We also conclude that an
increase in the number of hyperedges in the ROI of a given size does not impact
the performance of the overall algorithm.Comment: 1 page, 1 figure published in Proceedings of the 27th ACM
International Conference on Supercomputing, ICS 2013, Eugene, Oregon, US
Tm3+/Ho3+ codoped tellurite fiber laser
Continuous-wave and Q-switched lasing from a Tm 3+ /Ho 3+ codoped tellurite fiber is reported. An Yb 3+ /Er 3+ -doped silica fiber laser operating at 1.6μm was used as an in-band pump source, exciting the Tm 3+ ions into the F 4 3 level. Energy is then nonradiatively transferred to the upper laser level, the I 7 5 state of Ho 3+ . The laser transition is from the I 7 5 level to the I 8 5 level, and the resulting emission is at 2.1μm . For continuous wave operation, the slope efficiency was 62% and the threshold 0.1W ; the maximum output demonstrated was 0.16W . Mechanical Q switching resulted in a pulse of 0.65μJ energy and 160ns duration at a repetition rate of 19.4kHz
Redressing racial inequities through water law in South Africa: revisiting old contradictions? Draft
Water lawCatchment areasRiver basinsSocial aspectsPovertyInstitutional development
Urban heritage conservation and rapid urbanization : insights from Surat, India
Currently, heritage is challenged in the Indian city of Surat due to diverse pressures, including rapid urbanization, increasing housing demand, and socio‐cultural and climate changes. Where rapid demographic growth of urban areas is happening, heritage is disappearing at an alarming rate. Despite some efforts from the local government, urban cultural heritage is being neglected and historic buildings keep being replaced by ordinary concrete buildings at a worryingly rapid pace. Discussions of challenges and issues of Surat’s urban area is supported by a qualitative dataset, including in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and focus groups with local policy makers, planners, and heritage experts, triangulated by observation and a photo‐survey of two historic areas. Findings from this study reveal a myriad of challenges such as: inadequacy of urban conservation management policies and processes focused on heritage, absence of skills, training, and resources amongst decision makers and persistent conflict and competition between heritage conservation needs and developers’ interests. Furthermore, the values and significance of Surat’s tangible and intangible heritage is not fully recognized by its citizens and heritage stakeholders. A crucial opportunity exists for Surat to maximize the potential of heritage and reinforce urban identity for its present and future generations. Surat’s context is representative of general trends and conservation challenges and therefore recommendations developed in this study hold the potential to offer interesting insights to the wider planners and conservationists’ international community. This paper recommends thoughtful integration of sustainable heritage urban conservation into local urban development frameworks and the establishment of approaches that recognize the plurality of heritage values
Research Notes: Induced floral abnonnality in soybean
One of the M3 progenies of Type-49 soybean irradiated with 15 kr gamma rays showed segregation for plants with abnormal flowers. The progeny consisted of 30 normal plants and 8 mutant plants, indicating a monogenic inheritance. The mutant plants set only a few pods and appeared almost sterile at maturity
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